Church Point, or Pointe-de-l'Église in French, is a charming unincorporated community nestled on Saint Mary's Bay in the District of Clare, Digby County, Nova Scotia, Canada. This quaint locale is a treasure trove of history, culture, and education, offering visitors a unique blend of Acadian heritage and natural beauty.
Université Sainte-Anne, the only French post-secondary institution in Nova Scotia, calls Church Point home. Founded on September 1, 1890, by Eudist Father Gustave Blanche, the university was named after Saint Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary. Université Sainte-Anne is renowned for its French Immersion programs, which strictly enforce the French-Only Rule. Students pledge to speak French at all times during the program, with the third warning for English usage resulting in expulsion without a refund. The university's rural location limits opportunities for English communication, enhancing the immersion experience.
Church Point is perhaps best known for housing the tallest wooden church in North America, the Sainte Marie Church (French: Église Sainte-Marie). Located just north of the university, this architectural marvel has been a registered museum since 2000. The university campus also hosts a Visitor Centre, which includes an Acadian interpretive centre and visitor information. The Acadian Odyssey Monument, erected in September 2015 to commemorate the founding of Clare, graces the front of the Visitor Centre. The campus also houses the local arena and is the home base for the Clare Acadiens hockey association.
The construction of the Catholic Church Sainte-Marie, a significant landmark in Church Point, took place from 1903 to 1905. Today, it stands proudly on the "Evangeline Trail" and borders the campus of Université Sainte-Anne. Church Point continues to be a vibrant hub of Acadian French linguistic presence in Nova Scotia, contributing to the province's rich cultural tapestry.
The Church Point Lighthouse, built in 1874 by G. S. Parker, was a white wooden pepper-shaker-type tower standing 9.4 meters tall, crowned by a red lantern room. The light was discontinued in 1984, and the dwelling was removed around 1953 when the light was electrified and made unwatched. Unfortunately, a powerful spring storm in March 2014 destroyed the neglected lighthouse. However, a replica of the original lighthouse was built and opened to the public in 2017, keeping the beacon's history alive.
