Lunenburg, Nova Scotia (2006 pop. 2,317) was settled in the mid-18th century and is the center of Nova Scotia's fishing industry.
Canada's oldest Presbyterian (St Andrew's 1754) and Lutheran (Zion's 1772) churches are in Lunenburg.
The original St John's was completed in 1763. After 80 years the circular tower was replaced with a square one and in 1870-75 was rebuilt yet again, taking the form in which it can still be seen today.
The 'carpenter gothic' style of the church is in perfect harmony with both its site and with the wooden houses that surround it, these houses themselves having been altered and ornamented in much the same way as St John's.
The church suffered substantial damage as a result of a fire in the early hours of November 1, 2001. It took 4 years to restore the building.
St. John's is open for guided tours daily between 11:00am and 7:00pm, except during services.
St. John's Anglican Church was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1994.