St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Quispamsis, NB

The church, built as a chapel of ease for the Parish of Hampton in the Diocese of Nova Scotia, testifies to the efforts of Bishop John Inglis to spread Anglicanism throughout this diocese through church construction. Attributed to Edwin Fairweather, the design is noteworthy for its plan, symmetry, fine proportions, and classical details, which speak eloquently of the inheritance of British classicism on colonial building. St. Luke's remained a chapel of ease until 1988 when it became the parish church of Gondola Point.
The new pews replicate the Box Pew ends and front panels, thus ensuring the continuity of style while allowing at the same time more comfortable seating. The fourth row of pews back from the chancel step are recessed to allow for wheelchairs, and defines an appropriate place for the Gospel to be Proclaimed in the midst of the people.
At the Architect's insistence, there is no chancel carpet nor is there a carpet for the aisle. This is to ensure the integrity of the acoustics of the building. The hard surfaces provided by wood and the original plaster vaulted ceiling demonstrate the understanding of acoustics held by Edwin Fairweather and Justus Wetmore. Their effort has no been compromised!
The entrance to the restored church is gained off a bricked patio that allows for wheel chair access to the porch. At the architect's urging, the patio is framed with several large stones, allowing for seating as people gather, or as they linger after Service. The porch was designed to compliment the roof lines of the nave and to maintain the proportions suggested by the nave windows in relation to the height of the building.
The double-door entry remains as in the past, on the side of the porch.
The Sacristy, located off the chancel, on the Epistle Side, provides sufficient space for eucharistic ministers, layreaders, and acolytes along with their vestments and other furnishings that are stored for occasional use.