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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 , 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.
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 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.
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, call:
Norm Wrycraft
17277 Main Street
Belfountain, Ontario, L0N 1B0
(519) 927-3298
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