West Gwillimbury Presbyterian Church - Auld Kirk

This historic plaque stands at the front of the Auld Kirk – the name by which this building in best known.

1819

In the early part of the year, 14 families came from the Red River to what is known as the Scotch Settlement in West Gwillimbury. Three Irish families from the south joined them . Thus the Scotch Settlement, which is considered to be the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Lines was established – the 6th Line is known as the Scotch Line.

1821

John Faris, an Irishman, settled on the south half, lot 8, concession 6 West Gwillimbury Township, Simcoe County.

1822

Land was obtained from Mr. Faris for a graveyard.  The congregation was organized on January 6, 1822. James Sutherland was authorized by the Church of Scotland to conduct marriages and baptisms.  Services were conducted four times a year by Rev. Wm. Jenkins who made the trip on horseback from Richmond Hill.

1823

A log church was built on this site.  The building also served as a school.  This log building was the first churchand first school in Simcoe County.  It was the first Presbyterian Church north of Richmond Hill.

1827

 A frame church was built.  The log building continued as the school.

1832

The congregation sent a request to the Established Church of Scotland for a minister.  At this time a division within the Auld Kirk led to a loss of membership and the building of a new church in Bond Head – Bond Head Presbyterian Church.

1843

The Church of Scotland split.  Now there were two churches: The Church of Scotland and The Free Church of  Scotland. The arguments originating in Scotland spilled into Canada and many congregations felt they had to choose sides.

1844

The Auld Kirk split partly as a result of events in Scotland and also because some members wished to incorporate the use of an organ during the services.  Up to this time only a tuning fork was used and the service was given in Gaelic.  Thus the birth of  a new congregation on the 6th line began.  They were supporters of the Free Church.  Another group left the Auld Kirk bound for a new church located in Innisfil.  That church was to serve members who were now living at a distance from West Gwillimbury.

1869

The frame building housing the Auld Kirk was replaced by a brick structure.  This building was dedicated on December 27, 1869.

1879

The church was active until dwindling membership brought about its closing.

1893

It would appear that the last public use of the building was in 1893.  The Bradford Witness reports that a Christmas Concert sponsored by two nearby schools played to a packed house.

1953

A restoration programme started on the cemetery…..

1958

 …… and continued with a restoration of the church building.

2001

An outdoor service of worship to mark the 180th anniversary of the founding of the congregation of West Gwillimbury Presbyterian Church was held on August 12th.  The spearker, John F. Goodfellow, was a great-great-grandson of one of the founding members.

2002

Research at Ontario Archives has found the agreement dated 1836 for the purchase of land for the church.  Ownership is in the hands of The Auld Kirk was designated as a National Historic site and a plaque was erected.  There is some thought being given to having the Auld Kirk become a museum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2010

Research discovered that the Auld Kirk had belonged to the United Church of Canada since 1925 …. that property had been ceded to the United Church as one of the articles of that agreement.

In the late 1870s West Gwillimbury Presbyterian Church was no longer open. Some of its members had left to join the nearby Free Church. Other Auld Kirk members had left for a recurring theme at this time in Canada’s history – the need for more farm land that was found several miles to the north around Innisfil and Coulson Hill and in Canada’s West.