Our History
The African United Baptist Association of Nova Scotia was founded by Reverend Richard Preston in 1854. Reverend Preston was an escaped slave from Virginia, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1818. This Association is the Mother Organization of nineteen Black Baptist Churches in Nova Scotia. The AUBA has a long and distinguished history in serving the Black Community throughout Nova Scotia. The AUBA has played an important part in nurturing the spirit for many Black Nova Scotians. This organization is far more than a religious organization - it has served as a centre for education opportunities, a trailblazer for social change and remains a strong voice for hundreds of black families throughout Nova Scotia.
We are currently under the leadership of our New Moderator, Sister Alma Johnston since August 2008. Our Office is located on the second floor of the Black Cultural Centre of Nova Scotia.
In 1917, our women got together and asked permission from the AUBA Executive to formally organize the Ladies Auxiliary of AUBA. Sister Maude Sparks was its first President. Although Sister Margaret Upshaw was the first Official Organizer, the bulk of the formation of women’s work was carried on by Sister Muriel States, who was Official Organizer for thirty-eight years.
In 1938, Reverend W.P. Oliver was asked by the Association Executive to promote the work of the Baptist Young People’s Union within our Association. Sister Selena David became its first President. Today, the group is known as “Baptist Youth Fellowship”.
In 1944, the Laymen’s Council of the AUBA was organized by the Association. Brother J. A. R. Kinney became its first President. Today, our Laymen’s work continues to flourish.
Our present Executive Committee consists of the following individuals: Sister Alma Johnston, Moderator/ Regional Working Group Chair; Reverend Wallace Smith, Vice Moderator; Reverend Tracey Grosse, Immediate Past Moderator/Planning Chair ; Sister Beverly Byard-Jackson, Clerk; Sister Twila Avent, Assistant Clerk; Sister Sandra Andersen, Treasurer/Publicity Chair; Sister Twila Grosse, Acting Finance Chair; Brother Kerry Johnston, Trustee Chair; Reverend Rhonda Britton, Licensing Chair; Pastor Brian Johnston, Evangelism/Outreach Chair; Reverend Jennifer Riley, Education Chair; Sister Wendy Williams, Scholarship Chair; Reverend Maxine Gough, Home Missions Chair; Deacon Frederick Brooks, Hospital Visitor Chair; Reverend Sherrolyn Riley, Historical Chair; Sister Rose Fraser, Music Coordinator; Sister Melinda Daye, Courtesy/Resolutions Coordinator; Sister Brenda Brooks, Youth Counsellor & Clergy Advisor, Reverend Dr. Lennett Anderson; Deacon Irma Riley, Women’s Institute President; Brother William Jackson, Laymen’s Council President; Sister Cherise Downey, Provincial Baptist Youth Fellowship President; Reverend Elias Mutale, Regional Minister of AUBA, Reverend Dr. Donald Fairfax, Senior Counsellor; Pastors: Reverend Wayne Desmond, Reverend Stewart Williams, Reverend Cheryl Ann Beals, Pastor Theresa Character, Reverend Clarence Armstrong, Reverend Matthew Lucas, Pastor Stephen Gough, Reverend Robert MacCormack, Pastor Cathy Batson, Reverend Dr. Morley Shaw, Reverend Alfreda Smith, Reverend Pauline Coffin, Reverend Dr. Lionel Moriah and Reverend Ogueri Ohanaka.
Below is a list of active AUBA churches in each District:
District One
Cherry Brook United Baptist Church, Cherry Brook, Halifax County
East Preston United Baptist Church, East Preston, Halifax County
Saint Thomas United Baptist Church, North Preston, Halifax County
Victoria Road United Baptist Church, Dartmouth, Halifax County
District Two
Beechville United Baptist Church, Beechville, Halifax County
Cobequid Road United Baptist Church, Lower Sackville, Halifax County
Cornwallis Street Baptist Church, Halifax, Halifax County
Emmanuel Baptist Church, Hammonds Plains, Halifax County
Lucasville United Baptist Church, Lucasville, Halifax County
Windsor Plains United Baptist Church, Three Miles Plain, Hants County
District Three
Acaciaville United Baptist Church, Acaciaville, Digby County
Gibson Woods United Baptist Church, Gibson Woods, Kings County
Greenville United Baptist Church, Greenville, Yarmouth County
Inglewood United Baptist Church, Inglewood, Annapolis County
Mount Beulah United Baptist Church, Weymouth, Digby County
District Four
Second United Baptist Church, New Glasgow, Pictou County
Sunnyville United Baptist Church, Sunnyville, Guysborough County
Tracadie United Baptist Church, Tracadie, Antigonish County
Zion United Baptist Church, Truro, Colchester County
The African United Baptist Association of Nova Scotia is a member Association of the
Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches. |
