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Historic Destination (18)

Whitney Pier ( Sydney), Edwardsville

Saint Philips African Orthodox Church
57 Hankard Street, Sydney

African Canadians are linked predominantly with the Baptist denomination. But there are other denominations within the Christian ideology that has worshippers of African descent.

The African Orthodox Church is one of these alternatives. Founded in the United States in 1921 by Antiguan-born George Alexander McGuire, a branch was established in Sydney, Nova Scotia later that same year. St. Philip's core ideal was, and continues to be, the promotion of the Christian belief system and the strengthening of the identity and pride of her congregation which consists primarily, but not exclusively, of people of African descent. The Church addresses all aspects of the individual, from spiritual to social . The Church is registered as a Provincial Heritage Property Site.

 

Whitney Pier, (Sydney)
Provincial Highway 125 to Highway 4 to Highway 28

Descendants of 18th-century Africans and later 20th-century Caribean arrivals were part of the composition of Whitney Pier. 'The Pier' grew out of the coal and steel industries. Menelik Hall was named for the famed and respected King Menelik II of Ethiopia who reigned from 1865-1913. In 1896, King Menelik led his forces to defeat the Italians in their bid to colonize Ethiopia. The Hall, which opened in 1936, was used predominately by members of the West Indian community as a meeting place for those involved in social activism. It was here that Marcus Garvey, who established the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), brought his global message in the 1930’Äôs. Located on the corner of Laurier and Tupper Streets, the Hall also served as a theatre for performance pieces.

 

Museums, Archives, Memorial Sites

Whitney Pier Historical Society Museum
88 Mt. Pleasant Street

The 'Pier' was settled by immigrants who came to work the mines and steel factories. This museum was opened in tribute to those settlers.

Open June - October , Monday - Saturday;
Off Season: by appointment.
Tel.: 1.902.564.9819

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