Queenston Public Library

The Queenston Public library (formerly the Queenston Baptist Church) is located directly opposite the Laura Secord Homestead in Queenston Ontario. A few steps away is the Niagara river which formed the international boundary between Canada and the United States with Lewiston, New York on the opposite side of the river. The Library is absolutely beautifully maintained with no expense, spare to detail despite being over 200 years old. There is a free parking lot on the side of the building plus free street parking. The history of this building is as follows: By 1808 the Rev. Elkanah Holmes, a missionary from the United States, had organized the first Baptist congregation in Queenston. Following the War of 1812 the congregation declined, was reorganized in 1831 and, between 1842 and 1845, erected this rough-cut limestone structure as its church. It is an early and interesting example of the Gothic Revival style in this province. The church had closed by 1918 and in 1928 was sold to the Women's Institute, which occupied the building until 1954. In 1970 it was acquired by Dr. Djamal Afrukhteh, who donated it to the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. After a fund-raising campaign by the Queenston Community Association, the building was renovated and in Dec-ember, 1972, was officially opened as the Queenston Library and Community Centre.