So begins a recently published history of the United Protestant Church of Sydney River. This congregation was formed in the post war period as the suburbs of Sydney River and Coxheath began to grow. The book traces the history of the region from the early Mi'Kmag settlements along the river to the now heavily populated outskirts of the city of Sydney, Nova Scotia.

As the community grew, the people felt that their families would be better served by churches in the area than by driving all the way into Sydney. In 1947-8 the Roman Catholic Parish of Our Lady of Fatima was formed. This spurred on the Protestant families to form a united "protestant" church. An ambitious building program was undertaken, mostly with volunteer labour. It soon became apparent that some denominational affiliation would help in the matter of financial help, and acquiring a minister. The United Church of Canada, Sydney Presbytery, agreed to welcome the new congregation and the search for a minister was under way. The first minister was a man in his seventies, with boundless energy, Rev. Dr. A.A. MacLeod, who guided the people in forming the church, and beginning the building of hall, church, and manse.

Since that time this pastoral charge has grown  from a few interested people to about 600 families. It has continued to welcome people of different faith traditions, has been a strong "family-oriented" church, has provided space for the community for recreation, and fellowship in addition to being a spiritual centre for worship, education, and mission.