United Pentecostal Church of Nova Scotia Files Legal Action Over Flooded Property Dispute with Nova Scotia Power

The United Pentecostal Church of Nova Scotia is engaged in a legal dispute with Nova Scotia Power over a large tract of flooded land near Fall River at the north end of Miller Lake. The conflict centers on an expired lease from 1883, which originally allowed the power company to build a hydro system and expand Miller Lake, flooding parts of the property.

The flooded lands span approximately 19.5 hectares, equivalent to about 29 regulation soccer fields. Rev. Dean Dickenson, the church’s superintendent, expressed hope for a settlement, stating that legal action was a final resort after exhausting other options. The church has long used the area for summer camps and community activities, including a dining hall, dorms, and off-grid cabins.

The lease, signed in 1883, permitted Nova Scotia Light and Power, a predecessor of Nova Scotia Power, to construct the Fall River hydro system. This included dams and spillways at Miller Lake and Soldier Lake, which allowed the utility to increase the lake’s size. The expansion created Pentecostal Island, where the church established facilities for its programs and members.

Pentecostal Island is connected to the mainland by a causeway, with additional access via a second causeway and bridge. The mainland hosts camping trailers and the church’s tabernacle, a warehouse-like building with attached huts serving as camp dormitories. Rev. Dickenson emphasized the importance of the camp in supporting youth, families, and community outreach.

The United Pentecostal Church of Nova Scotia acquired the property in 1963, along with the lease granting the power utility flowage rights. Court records indicate ongoing negotiations with Nova Scotia Power since the lease expired in 1992. The church’s lawsuit seeks compensation for the land now submerged due to the utility’s operations. The dispute highlights the complex interplay between historical agreements, land use, and modern legal claims.

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