The Early Years

In 1856, Preston’s Second Baptist Church was established by Reverend Richard Preston and was named Second Preston Church with reverend Benson Smithers as the pastor. Second Preston Church was one of the original member churches of the African Baptist Association of Nova Scotia, founded by Reverend Richard Preston in 1854. Sometime in the 1860s, Second Preston Church was re-named South Church. In 1879, the congregation reorganized and built a new building in the New Road settlement, now called North Preston, under the leadership of Reverend James Thomas, a Welshman by birth,. The members of South Church renamed their church and new building Saint Thomas Baptist Church out of their love for and in memory of their former pastor Reverend James Thomas who died before the official opening of the new building. Reverend Alexander Bailey became the pastor of the reorganized church. Reverend Edward Dixon succeeded Reverend Bailey as pastor in 1886.

The Way Forward

Reverend John Smith served briefly in 1910. Reverend Alfred A. Wyse became the pastor in 1911. Reverend Wyse was succeeded by Reverend Donald D. Skier in 1953, and the church became known as Saint Thomas United Baptist Church. In 1995, nearly a decade after the retirement of Reverend Skier, Reverend Calvin Symonds became the pastor. In 2001, one year after the retirement of Reverend Symonds, Reverend Wallace Smith, a native of North Preston, was called to pastor at his home church of Saint Thomas. Under the present leadership of Reverend Wallace Smith Sr, our Senior Pastor, Saint Thomas Baptist Church has grown immensely. Saint Thomas Baptist Church has come a mighty long way and we thank God for bring us this far. The saints of Saint Thomas hold to a vision for even greater things to come in the name of the Lord.

Our Pastor

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Rev. Wallace Smith Sr.

Rev. Wallace Smith hails from the community of North Preston. He is married to First Lady, Sis Frances M. Smith. From their union they have been blessed with 5 children. Rev. Wallace Smith is a man of God, who has been anointed to Preach the Word of God. Rev. Wallace Smith’s Ministry began in the mid-seventies, where he was lead by God to form “The Gospel Heirs”. Throughout his time, God was dealing with Rev. Wallace Smith to take on a leadership position within the body of Christ; This resulted in St. Thomas Baptist Church setting Rev. Wallace aside and assigning him the title of Dea. Elect. In the year of 1981, Rev. Wallace Smith was crowned Dea. Wallace Smith, under the Pastorship of Rev. Dr. D. D Skeir. After serving 12 years as Deacon of Saint Thomas Baptist Church, God desired him to take on more responsibility within the body; this resulted in Saint Thomas Baptist Church assigning him the title of Licentiate, providing him with a license to Preach the Word of God. Four years later, under the Pastorship of Rev. Calvin Symonds, God instilled in Rev. Calvin Symonds the authority to make Rev. Wallace Smith, Assistant Pastor. Rev Smith is a Child of God who loves to Obey God by Ministering to the needs of Gods Children. He is a humble servant with a strong desire to work and win souls for Christ. He lives by the motto, If I can help someone long the way than my living will not have been in vain.