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THE
MELVILLE WHITE CHURCH
The
Melville (White) Church located just south of Belfountain and
constructed in 1837, is a one of the last remaining Ontario
timber frame churches predating the Victorian era. Its history
began in 1820 and continued until the dissolution of the
congregation in 1964.
Having
served the community for 133 years, with declining membership,
the congregation was disbanded and the doors closed in 1964.
From 1964 to 1980 annual anniversary services were held . It
remained vacant until 1995. At this time a demolition permit
was requested.
Denis
Heroux, a professional member of the Advisory Board of the
Architectural
Conservancy of Ontario considers the Melville
(White) church" a valuable cultural resource." He
says, "It is eminently worthy of restoration…to ensure
that Ontario's dwindling stock of heritage buildings is
preserved."
Although
much of the building is in remarkable good condition, without
the present on-going restoration, this landmark would have
disappeared.
Under
an agreement with the Town of Caledon the Belfountain Heritage
Society is restoring the building to its original simple
beauty. The Society will then rent it for weddings, recitals,
heritage displays, readings, are exhibits and other community
functions to ensure that it is self-sustaining.
Studies
by heritage architects and structural engineers had indicated
approximately $150,000 would be required to restore the
building.
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WHY
ARE WE RESTORING THIS HERITAGE GEM?
The
Belfountain Heritage Society has embarked on a fund raising
campaign to restore this beautiful heritage structure.
The
Belfountain Heritage Society is pleased that the Town
of Caledon has acquired the site and the Caledon
Heritage Committee is assisting with the restoration.
The
Town of Caledon maintains an impressive heritage building
inventory, and has official plan policies in favour of
heritage conservation. The Town of Caledon is developing a
tourism strategy featuring Caledon's heritage buildings, rural
countryside and an unspoiled natural environment, as
destinations for the day trip market from population centres
to the south.
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WHY
PRESERVE THE MELVILLE (WHITE) CHURCH?
•
living monument to the pioneers of Caledon
•
architecturally unique heritage building
• picturesque
and pleasing asset to the community
• will promote a
sense of community through volunteer participation
• will
promote a sense of belonging, renewal, memory and identity
•
will serve a role within the economic strategy of the Town of
Caledon
• a self-sustaining viable operation
For
further information on how you can use this heritage building,
contact:
info@belfountaiheritage.com
or
Sarah
Bohan
Belfountain, Ontario
(519) 316-0060
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