Church Point

The Acadians are renowned for building beautiful, awe-inspiring churches, and one of the finest examples is St. Mary's Church at Pointe de l'Eglise (Church Point) (pop. 487). An engineering marvel, St. Mary's was constructed between 1903 and 1905 in the form of a cross 58 m (190 ft.) long and 41 m (135 ft.) wide. The spire, which rises an impressive 56 m (185 ft.) above the surrounding countryside, is ballasted with 36 tonnes (40 tons) of rock to resist swaying caused by the often-powerful winds of St. Mary's Bay.