You may have noticed an old church on the northeast corner of Church and Botsford streets, where a daycare is currently located, and wondered about its origins. This first article will explore the history of what was once the Congregational Church, followed by a second article examining the Friends Church, which took over the building a little later.
The Congregational Church in Newmarket was built in 1843. Jacob Terry framed it and Joseph Millard assisted in its erection. An inscription was cut into the stone on the east side of the door that read: Congregational Church, erected 1843. On the west side was an inscription reading: J.J. Botsford, First Deacon; Rebuilt 1883.
An early picture of this first building shows it to have been a frame structure of simple architecture, the roof being crowned by a low rectangular tower at the south end, an ornamental ridge pole, and a conspicuous finial on the north end. There were three large windows gracing each side. There was no Sunday School room when it was first constructed, it was added later. An early map shows church sheds occupying the ground on which the Friends’ parsonage was later to be built.
An interesting feature was the hearse house and stable owned by Joseph Millard, located to the northeast of the church approximately halfway between Park Avenue and Botsford.
On Sept. 25, 1848, the property on which the church was erected was deeded by Phoebe (Millard) Botsford, widow of John Botsford, for 50 pounds to Orin Ford of East Gwillimbury, yeoman; William Hacking, of the same place, merchant; Joseph Millard of Whitchurch, cabinet maker; Robert Hall Smith, merchant; John Reynolds, blacksmith; Thomas Telfer, yeoman; Lot Hartman, yeoman; James Bell Caldwell, chair maker; all trustees of the first Congregational Church in Newmarket. The document was witnessed by Joseph McMaster, gentleman, and John McKay, carriage maker.
Botsford Street was named in recognition of the Botsford family who owned the land in that area. Church Street was the most westerly street then, and was named in honour of the two churches, the Anglican, 1834, and the Congregational, 1843. We have learned about St. Paul’s Anglican and St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in earlier columns, and this column takes a close look at the third of the churches on Church Street.
Little information has been found of the activities of this early denomination in Newmarket. We know that services were held regularly by resident ministers, the first being Rev. Thomas Baker, who had been a chaplain at the Battle of Waterloo. He was an elderly man, very military in his bearing, an Irishman, and an energetic temperance worker.
The first reference to this church appears in the Newmarket Era of Aug. 26, 1853. It stated that the Harmonic Society had been given permission to use the church for practices. On Sept. 18 that same year, there was an item explaining that the church had been recently cushioned and carpeted by the ladies of the congregation, also that the Rev. John Climie of Bowmanville lectured to the local Sons of Temperance with the Rev. Baker in the chair. A temperance meeting was held on Nov. 15 with Mr. Baker as guest speaker.
Among those most associated with this church were R.H. Smith, a generous contributor, and a leading merchant in Newmarket, along with J.B. Caldwell. Miss Sarah Jane Caldwell, afterwards Mrs. Moses Bogart, taught a class in the Sunday School. Of the early families who attended were those of Dr. Ford; Edmund, Joseph, and Charles Elvidge; Timothy and Nelson Botsford; A.J. McCracken; the Hodge Brothers and Samuel Roadhouse.
According to the local newspapers, in the middle of the century this church had a very fine choir; the organist being Miss Sarah Smith and Miss Botsford, the leading soprano, who was married to Robert Simpson, the founder of Simpson’s department stores.
Rev. Barker was the minister in 1863. He was followed by Dr. Shand, who was mentioned as a voracious reader of books from the public library, especially history and biography. He lectured at the Mechanics’ Institute and was a very active member. In November 1888, Rev. Bell was ordained and installed as minister. The last of the denomination to officiate in Newmarket is said to have been Rev. Haigh. He resided in the house on the southwest corner of Church and Botsford.
Of particular note, the Congregational Church holds the distinction of being the third building equipped with electric lights, and the first church locally, in 1888.
Unfortunately, over the years, families connected with the Congregational Church in Newmarket were broken up by death and relocation until finally services were discontinued and the church was closed. It had filled a large place in the life of the village for about 40 years. The church then remained empty until 1887 when it was sold to the Friends and thus began anew.
The church meetings moved from place to place, frequently holding services in people’s homes. Rev. A.J. Mann was its minister from 1921 to 1925, when the long-contemplated union of the Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational Churches took place, creating a new denomination called the United Church. While the resulting vote taken at the time revealed only 89 in favour to 134 against the union, the union took place.
In an earlier article about the Protestant cemetery, I mentioned that it had become obvious in the middle of the 19 th century that a public cemetery had become a necessity. It was on Oct. 9, 1869 that an organizational meeting was held in the school of the Congregational Church and with the current location being approved.
Also of note, a fire plug was placed in front of the church, one of only five in town. You can find several marriage announcements of the period in the local papers that listed this church as the wedding venue.
Sources: The History of Newmarket by Ethel Trewhella; The Newmarket Era Articles; Stories of Newmarket, An Old Ontario Town by Robert Terence Carter.
Newmarket resident Richard MacLeod, the History Hound, has been a local historian for more than 40 years. He writes a weekly feature about our town's history in partnership with Newmarket Today, conducts heritage lectures and walking tours of local interest, and leads local oral history interviews.
