Halton-Peel Branch

NE Lot 18, Concession 8, Esquesing Township.
116 Main Street South, Halton Hills (Georgetown).
GPS 43.6468°N, –79.97°W

	Satellite View
	Get directions

History:  In the mid-1840s when Georgetown began to develop as a village, Presbyterians gathered in local homes to meet for worship under the leadership of a travelling missionary.  Until that time they had been travelling to outlying areas such as the Scotch Block or Norval.  In the autumn of 1859, Reverend Robert Burns began to come to Georgetown to supply the pulpit, and it was under his guidance that the first formal organization of the congregation took place in October 1860.  In order to assist in obtaining a regular supply of preachers, the Georgetown congregation and the congregation of Limehouse (which had been formed in 1861) decided to join forces, and their minister was Reverend Robert Ewing.

In 1867 the congregation in Georgetown erected a single-story brick building, the first brick building in Halton, on two lots they purchased at the corner of Main and Church Streets.  The cost of the building was $3,000.  The 1877 Atlas of the County of Halton describes the congregation as "a large and influential one" and the building as "a brick church without, however any pretentions to architectural beauty."  This large congregation soon outgrew its small brick building.  Only twenty years later they elected to sell off the brick from the old church and to build a fine stone building.  The beautiful stone building that exists today was erected in 1887 at a cost of $15,000.  The brick from the old church was used to build a large residence nearby.

In February 1901, only fourteen years after its construction, the new church was consumed by fire, leaving only the walls and the memorial window intact.  Many church records were lost, as was the organ, under which the fire had apparently started.  The determined congregation lost no time in tendering to rebuild the church to its former glory.  While repairs were being carried out, worship was held in the Sunday School room in the basement, which had not been too seriously damaged.

Reverend Robert Ewing was the first occupant of the original church manse which still stands on the street named after him.  This manse and property were sold in 1889 when money was needed for the new stone church, and a manse was then rented for over thirty-five years.  In 1926 it was decided that a new manse be built.  Reverend MacLean moved into the manse in 1927 located on Edith Street.  It was later sold in 2001.

Go to Halton-Peel OGS introductory page       Index of Churches       Index of Cemeteries

Contact the Web Master
This page last updated 3 October 2007