Church of the Immaculate Conception

The Church of the Immaculate Conception is a simple, white, wood framed building located on School Street in the Village of Rexton.

The heritage value of the Church of the Immaculate Conception lies in its association with Father Hugh McGuirk and his devotion to the Catholic residents in the Village of Rexton during the years 1848 to 1857.

Before the arrival of Father Hugh McGuirk to the Richibucto River in 1848, early Catholic inhabitants of Kingston (now Rexton) were attended to by missionaries and later by a resident priest in the neighbouring community of Richibucto. It was under the direction of Father McGuirk that this historic church was built in 1853. He also had a building in the village remodelled for a school, which served the purpose of educating the Catholic children of Rexton until the School Act of 1871.

The belfry and spire were erected in 1897. In 1939, the church enlarged by separating the structure in the middle and a twenty-six foot section added. The church is still in use today

Source: Village of Rexton Local Historic Places File# 2004-10.

The character defining elements of the Church of the Immaculate Conception include:

- its location very near the street;

- double doors that fill the width of the entry;

- multi-pane windows;

- gable roof.