The Powell Block is notable for its prime location at the junction of three major streets in Sackville‘s business district and its long-standing connections to the legal and banking industries. The site also has historical significance as the location of the second of four Methodist churches in Sackville.

Henry A. Powell, a Mount Allison University graduate and barrister, represented Westmorland in the Provincial Legislature from 1890-95 and the House of Commons from 1895 to 1900. Appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1894, he sought suitable office space and initiated the construction of the Powell Block.

Built between 1886 and 1887, the Powell Block is a striking three-story brick building featuring Italianate architecture. A 1930 renovation altered the building’s entrance and staircase, providing access to the law offices that occupied the site for over seventy-five years. The staircase was incorporated into a new section of the building that bridged the 9-foot gap between the Powell Block and the Wood Block.

The Powell Block’s tenants also contribute to its historical significance. The ground floor was initially occupied by The Merchant Bank of Halifax, which became the Royal Bank of Canada in 1901. The second floor housed Henry A. Powell’s law offices, while the third floor served as a venue for various Sackville lodge social events. In 1909, the Royal Bank relocated across the street, and the Bank of Nova Scotia took over the ground floor, remaining there until 1978.

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