Don't let the 'two churches' mislead you as we were late for both of them. Up here in coastal Nova Scotia , where it is 25 miles between major towns, the church services are more than likely a two or three charge assignment for the minister. That was the case this weekend as Joan had received the information that we would attend church in Port Greville, but a few days ago that was changed as it was moved to Advocate Harbour (15 miles away) and would be at 10:30. "No Problem" as that would be plenty of time to get there. We picked Joan up at 9:45 and drove the 15 miles to Advocate Harbour and saw that the folks were coming out of the church and lo and behold the service was at 8:30. We did meet some of her friends and surveyed the church and facilities . I tried to get a cup of coffee but they had just poured out the last of it when I went downstairs to the dining hall. A small, old church with choir and pulpit in front (at the side) and a raised platform in front. The church shape was rather ecumenical in that it was in a semi round shape. We stayed until all were gone but the keeper of the keys and she locked the door after we left.
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| The plaque at Advocate Harbour church. |
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Plan "B". We went back to Port Greville and saw the church "Grace United Church" where she was married, and that her mother attended for many years. We arrived at about 10:40 and found that there were many cars in front of the church. Hmmm? We moved inside, picked up a bulletin and were in time to join in for the last hymn and blessing. There WAS a service there that started at 10:00 . However, we did get to meet many folks and even though it was less than 50 in the congregation , many were friends of Joan's. She gave us a tour of the church and told many stories about the wedding, the music, the choir and the two old "pump"organs that were in the Sunday school room. They both still worked albeit with some off pitch sounds. All in the building was the same as when she was a young girl.
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| Grace United Church in Port Greville,NS |
Last item of the morning was a tour of the "Sail Museum" and lunch there. This museum would fool you at once, Small in appearance , but filled with memorabilia of the shipbuilding days that existed here from 1812 until 1927, certainly a testament to longevity in the shipbuilding business. More ships were produced here than in Halifax during a number of years.There were too many items to mention but from ship models (there had to be a model built first to test the ship's ability to do the job. There were tools of all types including a huge 200 piece, plane collection. Her Dad had the original blacksmith sjhop and forge but tlay intheor yard for many years, when she decided it could be used at the Museum. It held the original forge and blacksmith tools and her grandfather's anvil. It is still there. Also, there were newspaper clippings and posters advertising a "MARRIAGE" in big print, of the ship to the sea. Fortunately many folks were still living when the museum was set up, who worked in the shipbuilding industry, so they could donate or find items that belonged in the Museum. It was colossal exhibit.
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| It doesn't look too impressiveputside but nside are three floors of memorabilia and artifc=acts from the 120 year of shipbuilding. |
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| Just the section that has many planes used in the woodworking of the ships. |
We ended the time with a light lunch of seafood chowder, and a toasted cheese sandwich for Ruth, at the small diner at the Museum .This was run by Kelsey the cook and gift shop proprietor. The special desserts of chocolate cheesecake, carrot cake, and carmel coconut cake were delicious.
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| A list of the ships built in Parrsboro area from 1812 until 1947. |
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| A model of each ship is made first according to the specification sof the owner or backer. The model would only be the basic ship. These models have been completed for sale and display. Original ship models are pricy. |
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| This is low tide at the launching site for this shipyard |
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| This the launching site at high tide . The men would make a "apron"of logs and drape it over the rock so the ship would not get damaged. |
We said our goodbyes to Joan and were very grateful for her kindnesses and stories that we would never have found on our own. Her living here as a child and then raising her family and returning was an asset to the community and to us this week.
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