In the 1905-06, three streams of Atlantic Baptists came together to form the United Baptist Convention of the Maritime Provinces, which became the United Baptist Convention of the Atlantic Provinces in 1963, and the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches in 2001. The three streams were the Baptist Convention of the Maritime Provinces, The Free Christian Baptist Conference of New Brunswick, and the Free Baptist Conference of Nova Scotia.

The driving motivation for these bodies to unite was the desire to be Stronger. Together. Baptists knew that if they banded together they could be more effective in higher education, overseas mission and in many other ways. They also knew that their unified witness to their communities would be strong.

Over the years, through their Convention, this group of believers has been aggressive in establishing ministry organizations and structures to help the churches and people of Atlantic Canada. For instance:

In 1949 we established what is now Atlantic Baptist University to provide undergraduate education in the context of a Christian worldview. ABU is now one of Canada’s largest Christian universities.

In 1961 we established the Baptist Foundation to provide loans to local churches that want to expand their facility to have a stronger impact on their community. The Foundation has grown to manage assets of more than $38 million.

In 1969 we reconstituted the department of theology at Acadia University as Acadia Divinity College. ADC has since grown to become the largest evangelical seminary east of Ontario.

In 1970 we established Atlantic Baptist Senior Citizen’s Homes Inc. to provide quality apartment and nursing home accommodations for the seniors of Atlantic Canada. This ministry now runs more than a dozen facilities, more than any other Protestant organization in Atlantic Canada.

In 2001 we established a youth and family ministries department to build upon our years of successful work in youth ministry region-wide. This department is now Canada’s largest denominationally-based ministry to youth and families.

If you’d like to read more about the history of Atlantic Baptists, you may want to consult the following sources:

*Bell, D.G. ed. The Newlight Baptist Journals of James Manning and James Innis. Hantsport, NS: Lancelot Press, 1984.

*Beverley, James and Barry M. Moody eds. The Life and Journal of the Rev. Mr. Henry Alline. Hantsport, NS: Lancelot Press, 1982.

*Burnett, Frederick C. Biographical Directory of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick Free Baptist Ministers and Preachers (Hantsport, NS.: Lancelot Press, 1996).

*Cuthbertson, Brian C. ed. The Journal of the Reverend John Payzant (1749-1834) (Hantsport, NS: Lancelot Press, 1981).

*Gordon, Grant. From Slavery to Freedom: The Life of David George, Pioneer Black Baptist Minister (Hantsport, NS: Lancelot Press, 1992).

*Griffin-Allwood, Philip G. A., George A. Rawlyk and Jarold K. Zeman. Baptists in Canada 1760-1990: A Bibliography of Selected Printed Resources in English (Hantsport, NS: Lancelot Press, 1989).

*Levy, George E. ed. The Diary and Related Writings of the Reverend Joseph Dimock (1768-1846) (Hantsport, NS: Lancelot Press, 1979).

George Levy, Baptists of the Maritime Provinces: 1753-1946, (Saint John, Barnes-Hopkins, 1946).

*Lovesey, Dorothy May. To Be A Pilgrim: A Biography of Silas Tertius Rand, (1810-1889, Nineteenth Century Protestant Missionary to the Micmac (Hantsport, NS: Lancelot Press, 1992).

*Moody, Barry M. ed Repent and Believe: The Baptist Experience in Maritime Canada. Hantsport, N.S.: Lancelot Press, 1980

*Murray, James S. ed. "Through Him Who Strengthens Me": Selected Shorter Writings and Sermons of Stuart Eldon Murray. Hantsport, N.S.: Lancelot Press, 1989.

*Priestley, David T. ed. A Fragile Stability: Definition and Redefinition of Maritime Baptist Identity. (Hantsport, NS: Lancelot Press, 1994).

Rawlyk, G.A. ed. Canadian Baptists and Christian Higher Education (Kingston: McGill-Queen's University Press, 1988).

Rawlyk, G.A. Champions Of The Truth, Fundamentalism, Modernism, and the Maritime Baptist (Kingston, McGill-Queen's University Press, 1990).

Rawlyk, G.A. Ravished by the Spirit, Religious Revivals, Baptists, And Henry Alline (Kingston, McGill-Queen's University Press, 1983).

*Rawlyk, George A. ed. The New Light Letters and Spiritual Songs (Hantsport, NS: Lancelot Press, 1983).

*Rawlyk, George A. ed. The Sermons of Henry Alline (Hantsport, NS: Lancelot Press, 1986).

Renfree, Harry, Heritage and Horizon: The Baptist Story in Canada (Canadian Baptist Federation, Mississauga, 1988)

*Robertson, Allen B. and Carolene E.B. eds. Memoir of Mrs. Eliza Ann Chipman, Wife of the Rev. William Chipman of Pleasant Valley, Cornwallis (Hantsport, NS: Lancelot Press, 1989).

*Wilson, Robert S. ed. An Abiding Conviction: Maritime Baptists and Their World (Hantsport, NS: Lancelot Press, 1988).

Zeman, Jarold K. ed. Baptists In Canada, Search for Identity Amidst Diversity (Burlington: G.R. Welch Publishing Co., Ltd., 1980).

Zeman, Jarold K. ed. Costly Vision. The Baptist Pilgrimage in Canada (Burlington: G.R. Welch Publishing Co., Ltd., 1988).

Zeman, Jarold K. Open Doors: Canadian Baptists 1950-1990 (Hantsport, NS: Lancelot Press, 1992).

* These are part of the Atlantic Baptist Heritage Series. For more information see the Historical Committee Publications section of this website.