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THE PAST
Built in 1837, the Melville White Church is the
oldest standing church in the Town of Caledon. It represents the
communal efforts of the "Rockside Pioneers", a group of
Presbyterian Scots who settled in the area in the early 1820's.
Organized by Rockside Pioneers John MacDonald and John Crichton,
this early congregation first met in MacDonald's home. By 1828,
John Crichton had secured the services of Reverend Andrew Bell,
who walked 25 miles once a month to preside over a weekday service.
Bell established the congregation of "West Caledon" in
1831; one of its earliest ministers, Duncan McMillan, preached in
both Gaelic and English. The original church was a log structure
that also served as a school, and was located across the road from
the present church.
Built by the Daniel McMillan & Bros. of Erin,
the church was painted white upon completion and quickly became
known as "the White Church". The origin of the name "Melville"
remains a mystery. In 1843, the Caledon Presbyterian congregation
joined others in Upper Canada in separating from the established
Church of Scotland and forming the Free Church of Canada. Land for
the adjacent cemetery was deeded to the church in 1866.
Some of the names of those early worshippers
who enriched the history of the White Church are: Crichton, Gibson,
Frank, Pattulo, Burnet, Kirkwood, Foster, Hunter, Mclachlan, MacMillan,
McEachern, Campbell and Sharp.
Many of these pioneers came from the Isle off
the coast of Scotland.
A small church up the road disbanded in 1990
and, although Congregationalsits, swelled the ranks of the "White
Churchers". Greenlaw Corners no longer exists, but the remnants
of their cemetery can still be seen at the corner of Mississauga
Road and The Grange Sideroad.
Throughout its history, the White Church has
had wonderfully colourful ministers. McMillan often preached in
Gaelic. There was an Irishman, a Mulatto (1857) and a blind Syrian
(1886). Multiculturalism was alive and well in those days!
The White Church's congregation ebbed after its
centennial in 1937 and the congregation eventually disbanded in
1964. In 1966, the Credit Valley Conservation Authority purchased
the church and cemetery property. Most of the church furnishings
were sold, although the pulpit was later re-purchased and other
artifacts have been returned. Now owned by the Town of Caledon,
the church is being restored by the Belfountain Heritage Society
for use as a public venue. Thanks to the tremendous efforts of the
BHS and strong community support, this important historical landmark
has been given a new lease on life!
FEATURES
The Meville White Church is an example of the
unadorned style of architecture popular among many Protestant denominations
of the early to mid-19th century. Its principal features include:
• hand hewn squared timer framing, clad
with hoizontal wood siding
• simple, clean lines with a notable absence of a bell tower
or spire
• the arched windows with simple forked Gothic tracery are
not original, and likely date to the latter half of the
19th century
• the interior is notable for its horizontal wainscoting and
upper loft
• pews salvaged from the former Knox Church, Caledon East
The stone wall with the iron gate was erected
across the front of the property in 1901 and 1902; at the same time
a system of drains was installed across the cemetery.
The adjacent cemetery is the largest in the immediate
area and contains the headstones of many of the Rockside Pioneer
families.
| WEDDINGS
FROM THE PAST |
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One
of the last weddings held at the
Melville White Church.
1970's - Kevin & Gail MacMillan |
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THE FUTURE
Architectural technologist Denis Heroux, through
the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, prepared a stimulating
and positive report and plan for the restoration of the White Church.
He concluded:
"The White Church, one of the few remaining pre-Victorian era
timber fame churches in Ontario, is a valuable cultural resource
to the Town of Caledon. The modest size of the church, the quality
of the natural light filtering through the windows, and the simplicity
of the decor made the building highly adaptable for a number of
users. It is also fortunate that the church is built mostly of wood
making it possible to use local skills and materials."
The fact that the White Church is a heritage
building is not an obstacle to its reuse. The building can be easily
modernized while retaining its heritage character.
This report recommended two restoration options
- the first for year around use, and the second, only for summertime.
This latter option is the plan the Belfountain Heritage Society
has undertaken.
WITH OUR FIRST WEDDING IN SEPTEMBER
2002, OUR FUTURE VISION FOR OUR RESTORED BUILDING IS BECOMING A
REALITY !!
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Our first wedding
in over 30 years!
Samantha & Colin McCleave - Sept. 2002 |
| This gentleman played bagpipes
at the McCleave wedding held in Sept 2002. |
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