Bible Christian Cemetery

RESEARCH REPORT HTG-14-121 Bible Christian Cemetery 39 Columbus Road West Oshawa, Ontario Prepared for Heritage Oshawa Prepared by M. Cole August 2012 31

1.0 Introduction 1.1 Purpose of Report 3 1.2 Legislative Context 3 2.0 Description of the Property 2.1 Location 4 2.2 Legal Description 4 2.3 Site Description 4 3.0 Historical Attributes of Bible Christian Cemetery 3.1 Summary 6 3.2 Early Lot History 6 3.3 Bible Christian Chapel & Manse 7 4.0 Condition of the Bible Christian Cemetery 9 5.0 Conformity to Applicable Designation Criteria 9 6.0 Proposed Designation Statement and Description 6.1 Purpose 10 6.2 Location and Description of Property 10 6.3 Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest 10 6.4 Description of Heritage Attributes 11 7.0 Recommendation 11 FIGURES AND APPENDICES Figure 1 Bible Christian Cemetery Map, Durham Genealogical Society, 1982 Figure 2 Village of Columbus 1873, Grant Webber Appendices Photographs of the Bible Christian Cemetery 2 32

1.0 Introduction 1.1 Purpose of the Report This report evaluates the heritage significance of the Bible Christian Cemetery and associated gravestones in the Village of Columbus and examines the suitability for designation under Section IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. 1.2 Legislative Context Ontario Regulation 9/06 under the Ontario Heritage Act sets out the criteria for determining cultural heritage value or interest, which is required in order to designate a property under the provisions of Section IV. A property may be designated under Section 29 of the Act if it meets one or more of the following criteria for determining whether it is of cultural heritage value or interest. 1. The property has design value or physical value because it: i. is a rare, unique, representative or early example of a style, type, expression, material or construction method; ii. displays a high degree of craftsmanship or artistic merit, or iii. demonstrates a high degree of technical or scientific achievement. 2. The property has historical value or associative value because it, i. has direct associations with a theme, event, belief, person, activity, organization or institution that is significant to a community, ii. yields, or has the potential to yield, information that contributes to an understanding of a community or culture, or iii. demonstrates or reflects the work or ideas of an architect, artist, builder, designer or theorist who is significant to a community. 3. The property has contextual value because it, i. is important in defining, maintaining or supporting the character of an area, ii. is physically, functionally, visually or historically linked to its surroundings, or iii. is a landmark. After analyzing the history and heritage attributes of the subject property, it is concluded that the subject property merits designation under the Ontario Heritage Act in light of criteria 1(i), 2(i),(ii) 3(ii) and (iii). 33 3

2.0 Description of Property 2.1 Location The Bible Christian Cemetery is located in the Village of Columbus, within the City of Oshawa approximately ¼ mile west of Simcoe Street North on Columbus Road West. The cemetery is located on the south side of Columbus Road West. Figure 1 indicates the location of the cemetery within the Village of Columbus. Figure 2 indicates the relationship of the cemetery beside the original site of the Bible Christian Church and the Bible Christian Manse, within the Village of Columbus in 1873. 2.2 Legal Description The Bible Christian Cemetery is located on part of Lots 13 & 14 on Concession 6, at 39 Columbus Road West,(formerly called Church Street) in Columbus Ontario within the City of Oshawa. The Bible Christian Cemetery is an inactive cemetery maintained and owned by the City of Oshawa (City of Oshawa By-Law 139-83). It is located on the south side of Columbus Road West. 2.3 Site Description As illustrated in the photographs appended to this report, the Bible Christian Cemetery consists of 91 gravestones. Many of the gravestones are flat lawn style stones that are formed into a patio style cairn on the north side of the cemetery. There are 12 upright grave stones that are arranged along the east side of the patio cairn. There are also stones scattered throughout the cemetery as well. See Figure 1. 34 4

Figure 1: Bible Christian Cemetery Map, Durham Genealogical Society, 1982 35 5

3.0 Historical Attributes 3.1 Summary Bible Christian Cemetery, Columbus Ontario Research Report, August 2012 The Bible Christians were a branch of Methodism that was mainly confined to Devon and Cornwall in England. They came into existence in 1815 in Devon, England and spread quickly across that County and across Cornwall, next door. Many came over aboard the Clio in 1841 and settled in the community of Columbus. The history of the Bible Christian Cemetery spans more than a century. In the 1840 s there was a wide variety of perspectives in the approaches to Christian living presented by the different denominations. Thirty years before Presbyterians accepted the idea of Sunday Schools, the Bible Christians would have close to one hundred children attending Sabbath School at this church, many of its members are buried in this cemetery. This particular cemetery reflects the early history of the Village of Columbus and holds the memorials of Columbus s earliest settlers and some very prominent citizens. In 1848 Ashton, Adams, Harper, Clark, Rundle, Hicks, Tucker and Hazeldine families built the Bible Christian Church and carried on a Sunday School service for numerous years, with 100 attendees. Most likely the largest Sunday School Service in the area. In June 1855 the first Canada Conference of the Bible Christian Church was convened in the village of Columbus. Individuals buried in the cemetery include Bible Christian Minister John Pinch, Superintendents of the Bible Christian Sunday School, Robert Ashton who was also in charge of Music at the Bible Christian Church and Sunday School and the second Post Master for the Village of Columbus, George Hazeldine and early secretaries for the Bible Christian Church are also buried in this cemetery including; Richard Salter, Richard Banbury, John Passmore, Stephen Hugo, George Martin, Thomas and William Ashton and George Wickett. By their nature, cemeteries are sacred and important heritage sites. Most cemeteries provide park-like green spaces that enrich the City aesthetically. The Bible Christian Cemetery is an example of this. The property contains some vegetation but very minimal. There is no marker or signage on the property indicating that it is the Bible Christian Cemetery for the Village of Columbus. 3.2 Early Lot History Columbus was once called English Corners because of the great many English people that settled there. From W.H. Smith s Gazateer of Upper Canada, 1850 we find the following information about the Village of Columbus, Columbus contains about 300 inhabitants; it is a tolerable settlement, although it is too near Oshawa to do a large business. Indeed it appears to have remained nearly stationary for the last 3 or 4 years. It contains a grist mill with 2 run of stone, a saw mill, 36 6

tannery, ashery and a soap and candle factory, a post office, 3 churches United Presbyterian, Wesleyan Methodist and Bible Christian and there is an Episcopal Methodists church one mile west of the village. The location on which the Bible Christian Cemetery lies is the north half of Lot 13 within Concession 6, in East Whitby Township, now within the City of Oshawa. According to the City of Oshawa By-Law 139-83, it is currently owned by the City of Oshawa. On March 13, 1849 John Kenny sold ¼ acre of Lot 13 to the Trustees of the Bible Christian Church. (Registry No. 36650). On April 28, 1861 John Kenny sold another 1 acre, 56 rods of Lot 13 to the Bible Christian Church. The 1861 Census lists Bible Christian, frame church, North end of Lot 13, Concession 6. 30 x40 Seats about 200 on one acre of Land. Worth $1, 000 3.3 Bible Christian Chapel & Manse The Bible Christian Chapel was built on a one acre village lot in Columbus. The exact date of construction is not known. It would most likely have been constructed between 1845 prior to 1855. In 1854, Canada was withdrawn from the English Bible Christian Conference and given its own Conference, the first of which was held in 1855 in the little chapel at Columbus in Ontario County, Province of Ontario. The Bible Christian Chapel was located approximately 100 meters west of Simcoe Street on the south side of Columbus Road near the cemetery. In the 1840 s there was a rather wide variety, from a member s perspective, in the approaches to Christian living presented by the various denominations in the area. Thirty years before Presbyterians accepted the idea of Sunday Schools, the Bible Christians had close to one hundred children attending Sabbath School at this particular location in Columbus. Newspaper accounts of the day mention: The Annual Bible Christian Sunday School Anniversary was held on the first Sunday and Monday in July. A special service was held on the Sunday followed by recitals and tea on the Monday. A Monday evening concert was always held with the entertainment brought in from Toronto. The 1861 Census lists a frame chapel that can accommodate 200 people. It was 30 feet by 40 feet in size. According to the Bible Christian Property Book the chapel had a room added on for Sunday school that was 30 feet by 20 feet. According to Lindsay Ford, Oshawa Times Columnist, 1970, early Superintendants of the Bible Christian Sunday School were George Davey, Thomas Mason, Robert Ashton, George Hazeldine, Nicholas Redd, Jason Stone, Ediwin Nencekivell. 37 7

A cemetery shared the one acre parcel where the chapel was located. The Bible Christian Chapel was torn down after union with the Methodists in approximately 1889. The foundation of the chapel may still exist beside the cemetery, further research is required. The church manse was built at Columbus in 1862. (Leetooze: 2005). It was built on a one acre parcel village lot and was most likely frame, the records do not indicate what it was made of. It was 24 feet by 34 feet and the lot was 36 rods in size. Figure 2: Village of Columbus 1873, Grant Webber 38 8

4.0 Condition of the Cemetery Overall the cemetery is in good condition and is well cared for by the City of Oshawa Parks Services. There is no signage indicating the name of the cemetery, denomination or date. 5.0 Conformity to Applicable Designation Criteria In light of the findings of this report, it is concluded that the cemetery known as the Bible Christian Cemetery meets several of the criteria outlines in Regulation 9/06, as follows: 1(i) is an example of an early cemetery that contains attributes of the Bible Christian Cemetery that reflect its cultural value as an important link to the history of the local area through the use of markers and monuments, the variety of size sophistication and material, their inscriptions and their current placement within the cemetery. 2(i) location in relation to the original Bible Christian Church in the community that stood east of the present cemetery, many of the individuals recorded on the headstones were those that contributed to the building of the Bible Christian Chapel in Columbus. 2(ii) it has direct association with the annual garden tea and evening concert that is held at the Presbyterian Church. This began in 1840 on the first Sunday and Monday of July when the Bible Christians held their Sunday School Anniversary. This annual celebration continued after the Bible Christians and Methodist union and once again after the union of Methodist and Presbyterian in the area of Columbus. 3(i) the location of the cemetery in relation to the encompassing community that it surrounds reflects the early history of the Village of Columbus and holds the memorials of Columbus s earliest settlers and some very prominent citizens. 3(ii) it is physically, functionally, visually and historically linked to the community of Oshawa that it lies within and the Bible Christian settlers many immigrated from Devon Cornwall. 3(iii) the Bible Christian Cemetery is a landmark in the community of Columbus located approximately ¼ mile from the original four corners, where Simcoe Street North and Columbus Road West cross, in the village of English Corners. 39 9

6.0 Proposed Designation Statement and Description 6.1 Purpose Should the Heritage Oshawa Committee and Council agree that designation of the Bible Christian Cemetery is appropriate, it is recommended that the following designation statement and description be incorporated into the designation by-law. 6.2 Location and Description of Property The Bible Christian Cemetery, located at 39 Columbus Road West, in the Village of Columbus within the City of Oshawa, was in use from approximately 1818 until 1920. The history of the Bible Christian Cemetery spans more than a century. This particular cemetery reflects the early history of the community of Columbus and holds the memorials of Columbus s earliest settlers and some very prominent citizens that were associated with the Bible Christian Faith. 6.3 Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest The structures cultural heritage value results from their historical significance and their importance as a cultural heritage landscape/cemetery. The property has historical value as it is representative of the Village of Columbus earliest settlers. In the 1840 s there was a wide variety of perspectives in the approaches to Christian living presented by the different denominations. Thirty years before Presbyterians accepted the idea of Sunday Schools, the Bible Christians would have close to one hundred children attending Sabbath School at this church, many of its members are buried in this cemetery. This particular cemetery reflects the early history of the Village of Columbus and holds the memorials of Columbus s earliest settlers and some very prominent citizens. In 1848 Ashton, Adams, Harper, Clark, Rundle, Hicks, Tucker and Hazeldine families built the Bible Christian Church and carried on a Sunday School service for numerous years, with 100 attendees. Most likely the largest Sunday School Service in the area. In June 1855 the first Canada Conference of the Bible Christian Church was convened in the village of Columbus. The cultural heritage value of the Bible Christian Cemetery is related to its architectural or design value, as it is comprised of several fine monuments and grave markers which appear to be all original. All of the structures exemplify local craftsmanship and the use of local styles and materials, most notably marble and granite. The Bible Christian Cemetery on Columbus Road West holds 40 10

the remnants of 91 gravestones. The majority of the stones date from the period 1860-1890. Frederick William Browne who was born one mile northwest of Columbus in 1870, restored the Columbus Bible Christian cemetery in 1946. Early cemeteries contain gravestones that are windows into the past besides providing biographical data pertaining to the deceased; they are also a form of artistic and cultural expression. Tombstones can provide early settlement, birth and death patterns and family histories. 6.4 Description of Heritage Attributes The key attributed exhibited by this landscape/cemetery feature include: The location, dimensions and orientation of the cemetery in relation to the encompassing community that surrounds it. The original markers with their surviving inscriptions. The original location of some markers with their surviving inscriptions and motifs The placement of the monuments and markers within the informal patio style cairn restoration in 1946 by Frederick Browne Location in relation to the original Bible Christian Church in the community that stood east of the present cemetery, many of the individuals recorded on the headstones were those that contributed to the building of the Bible Christian Chapel in Columbus. This is where the first Canadian Conference of the Bible Christians was held in 1855 7.0 Recommendation It is recommended that the property the Bible Christian Cemetery is located, 39 Columbus Road West, in the City of Oshawa be designated in accordance with the provisions of Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act for its cultural heritage value. 41 11

Sources Conveyances Abstract and related documents. Durham Land Registrar's Office Census, East Whitby. 1861 Letooze, Sherrell B. Bible Christian Chapels of the Canadian Conference. 2005 Ontario Genealogy Society, Durham Region Branch, Bible Christian Cemetery List. Oshawa Community Archives, Bible Christian File Oshawa Community Archives, Columbus File Oshawa Times, Lindsay Ford Columnist, 1970. Feb.11 Richardson, William. History of Columbus Village 1835-1931. 1931. Suchan, Laura. Memento Mori: Classifying Nineteenth Century Gravestones, An Oshawa Study. 1999 Webber, Grant. History of Columbus. 1995 42 12

APPENDIX Bible Christian Cemetery, looking south, August 2012 13 43

Bible Christian Cemetery, Columbus, patio-style cairn looking north, August 2012B 44 14

English Corners, East Whitby Map, 1851 45 15

Bible Christian Cemetery, Gravestones in their original location on the south end of the property, August 2012 46 16

Home built on the foundation of the original Bible Christian Chapel. (Requires further research). 47 17