Boston Presbyterian Church
Boston Presbyterian Church in 1900.
|
|
How a makeshift tree stump pulpit started the oldest church congregation in Halton HillsBoston Presbyterian Church got a rustic outdoor start more than 200 years ago
Boston Presbyterian Church on Third Line.
Situated in the historic Scotch Block district, on the Third Line in southwestern Halton Hills, is the Boston Church – home to the municipality’s oldest congregation spanning two centuries.
James McNab, a native of Perth, Scotland and later founder of Norval, moved to Upper Canada from Vermont in time to serve in the War of 1812 and was initially granted land in Toronto Township for his service.
It was in early 1819 when Esquesing Township was surveyed, with land opening up shortly thereafter. During this time, McNab petitioned the British Crown to designate an area where families of Scottish origin could settle and leave behind the economically depressed towns of Barnet and Ryegate, Vermont.
After much decision making, McNab’s request was granted for approximately 10 square miles of agricultural land in an area that would become known as the Scotch Block. The first settlers of this designated land, from Vermont, included the family names of McNab, Cross, Goodwillie, McLaren and Moore. Other families directly from Scotland would soon join them to start a new life.
In June 1820, a church service took place in the Scotch Block on the farm of Andrew Laidlaw, Lot 6, Concession 4, and was conducted by travelling Presbyterian minister William Jenkins. This service, being the first in Esquesing Township, was held outdoors with a maple stump serving as the pulpit and pine logs for the pews. Following the service, a congregation was formed.
By 1824, a parcel of land was purchased from Laidlaw for the purpose of burials and a house of worship. Work began the following year for the meeting house but it would not be finished until 1835. Meanwhile, prior to completion, the first minister Rev. Peter Ferguson was inducted April 11, 1832.
The place of worship did not have an official name until 1844, when it was named ‘Boston Presbyterian Church’ by Rev. William Rintoul. This name is in honour of the late Rev. Thomas Boston, a Scottish Presbyterian church leader, theologian and philosopher of Ettrick, Scotland.
Services continued in the first Boston Church until it was decided, in 1866, that a new house of worship should be constructed. It was determined that the new structure, to accommodate a proposed capacity of 300 people, would be built using locally sourced stone and timber.
James Smith, of Toronto, was contracted as architect for the project, while Charles Blackwell, of Silver Creek, was hired for the stone work. Plastering was done by John Lambert, carpentry by Thomas Henderson and painting by John Moffat. All other work was undertaken by volunteers as a way to keep construction costs as low as possible.
A cornerstone was laid two years later in 1868, and the first service was held in the new church in January 1870, as led by Rev. Donald Steward. The church’s architectural style is of Gothic Revival with a unique bell-cote facing the road. Other additions over the years include a basement hall in 1960, and a parlour and classrooms to the rear of the church.
Due to its uniqueness in style and for its strong historical connection to the Scotch Block, Boston Church, on the occasion of the congregation’s 175th anniversary, was designated by the Town of Halton Hills as a heritage site in 1995.
Today, Boston Church continues to serve as a place of worship and holds the unique distinction of being the oldest congregation in present-day Halton Hills.
Article written by Scott Brooks, with information from Dills Collection/Halton’s Pages of the Past/Boston Presbyterian Church History/Town of Halton Hills/EHS/HHPL.
Boston Presbyterian Church on Third Line.
Situated in the historic Scotch Block district, on the Third Line in southwestern Halton Hills, is the Boston Church – home to the municipality’s oldest congregation spanning two centuries.
James McNab, a native of Perth, Scotland and later founder of Norval, moved to Upper Canada from Vermont in time to serve in the War of 1812 and was initially granted land in Toronto Township for his service.
It was in early 1819 when Esquesing Township was surveyed, with land opening up shortly thereafter. During this time, McNab petitioned the British Crown to designate an area where families of Scottish origin could settle and leave behind the economically depressed towns of Barnet and Ryegate, Vermont.
After much decision making, McNab’s request was granted for approximately 10 square miles of agricultural land in an area that would become known as the Scotch Block. The first settlers of this designated land, from Vermont, included the family names of McNab, Cross, Goodwillie, McLaren and Moore. Other families directly from Scotland would soon join them to start a new life.
In June 1820, a church service took place in the Scotch Block on the farm of Andrew Laidlaw, Lot 6, Concession 4, and was conducted by travelling Presbyterian minister William Jenkins. This service, being the first in Esquesing Township, was held outdoors with a maple stump serving as the pulpit and pine logs for the pews. Following the service, a congregation was formed.
By 1824, a parcel of land was purchased from Laidlaw for the purpose of burials and a house of worship. Work began the following year for the meeting house but it would not be finished until 1835. Meanwhile, prior to completion, the first minister Rev. Peter Ferguson was inducted April 11, 1832.
The place of worship did not have an official name until 1844, when it was named ‘Boston Presbyterian Church’ by Rev. William Rintoul. This name is in honour of the late Rev. Thomas Boston, a Scottish Presbyterian church leader, theologian and philosopher of Ettrick, Scotland.
Services continued in the first Boston Church until it was decided, in 1866, that a new house of worship should be constructed. It was determined that the new structure, to accommodate a proposed capacity of 300 people, would be built using locally sourced stone and timber.
James Smith, of Toronto, was contracted as architect for the project, while Charles Blackwell, of Silver Creek, was hired for the stone work. Plastering was done by John Lambert, carpentry by Thomas Henderson and painting by John Moffat. All other work was undertaken by volunteers as a way to keep construction costs as low as possible.
A cornerstone was laid two years later in 1868, and the first service was held in the new church in January 1870, as led by Rev. Donald Steward. The church’s architectural style is of Gothic Revival with a unique bell-cote facing the road. Other additions over the years include a basement hall in 1960, and a parlour and classrooms to the rear of the church.
Due to its uniqueness in style and for its strong historical connection to the Scotch Block, Boston Church, on the occasion of the congregation’s 175th anniversary, was designated by the Town of Halton Hills as a heritage site in 1995.
Today, Boston Church continues to serve as a place of worship and holds the unique distinction of being the oldest congregation in present-day Halton Hills.
Article written by Scott Brooks, with information from Dills Collection/Halton’s Pages of the Past/Boston Presbyterian Church History/Town of Halton Hills/EHS/HHPL.