Terence Bay,Nova Scotia

 

The area, which is located at the tip of

the Chebucto Peninsula, was originally

settled in the early 1880s or possibly

before, probably by Irish fishermen. Early

records for the area include the 1827

Census of Halifax and the parish register

of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

(Roman Catholic), Prospect, whose entries

begin in 1823 and include Terence Bay

families. By the 1850s, the population of

Terence Bay consisted mainly of the descendants of Irish and German immigrants to NS, many of whose descendants still reside there.

 

The origin of the name "Terence" in reference to the community is uncertain; theories have included that it is a mispronunciation or misspelling of "Terns", or of "Turner", although "Turner" is unknown in the community as a historical surname. What is certain is that the 1865 A. F. Church Map of Halifax County names it "Turns Bay".

 

The area in which Terence Bay is situated also contains the communities of Lower Prospect at which the RMS Atlantic disaster occurred, and Sandy Cove, at which a cemetery and monument to the wreck and an interpretive centre are located. On the last Sunday of July, the SS Atlantic Interpretation Centre partnering with Saint Paul's Anglican Church host the Blessing of the Boats.  Usually held between 2 and 4 pm.

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In 2017 a community group formed to acquire and maintain the decommissioned Terence Bay Fire Hall.  It is now the Terence Bay Community Hall and is very active, hosting a weekly bingo along with many other events.