W Jan 6. I879 Re-opening of Zion Church

"Zion Church (Presbyterian) was re-opened yesterday for Divine worship. The Rev. Dr. Murray of Prince Street Presbyterian Church preached in the morning, the Rev. Kenneth McLennan of St' James' Church in the afternoon and the Rev. Mr. Lathern of the Prince Street Methodist Church, in the evening. The congregation at each service was large. The church edifice has been enlarged by adding a wing on each side and by cutting away a portion of the walls of the main building - giving the inside ofthe edifice the form ofa cross. Perpendicular posts now stand where a portion of the walls were removed, and the space between the posts spanned by Gothic arches, thereby securing strength and giving a chaste appearance to the internal portion of the building. The pulpit has been tastefully painted in delicate shades of grey and white with portions ofthe moulding gilded with gold and is an ornament in the centre of the church. Immediately in the rear of the pulpit is a retreat arched above, which the choir occupies. The whole edifice has been raised somewhat higher than it was originally, making the basement comfottable, light, airy, and securing a good high ceiling." Reopetitg services were held on the first two Sundays of January with six ministers of various denominations present.

The caves of the church were 25 feet above the ground and the tower rose 90 feet above the ground, which is 30 feet higher than the present day Zion tower. There were [04 pews in the church.

" NEW ZION CHURCH l9l3 (original description where evident)

The church measures 139 feet on Prince Street and 86 feet on Grafton Street. The tower rises to a height of sixty feet and is 17' 8" square at the base, being three course of brick thick. The second section is 16' 3" square“, with the upper or third section ofthe tower contains four thick corners, where the bricks are built or added out as well as in from the walls to add strength. This was probably part ofthe original design as it called for a steeple of an additional 40 feet in height, which was not completed due to lack of funds. The eaves of the church are 30 feet above the ground.

The building is Gothic in style with Annapolis brick and Nova Scotia grey stone trim. The interior is divided into two main parts, the church sanctuary (77' by 66') and the Sunday School room. The main sanctuary has a seating of 800 on the lower, sloped amphitheatre style, level with 200 in the curved balcony. Opening the folding doors to the Sunday School can bring total seating to about l,500.

- l90-