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HomeMy WebLinkAbout825"Typewritten article, 2 pages; 21.7 x 28 cm;prepared by Joseph M Nighswander for Durham Region info packet(Karen Fritz Hunt) July/99. J.M. NIGHSWANDER 185 UXBRIDGE/ PICKERING TOWNLINE STOUFVILLE, ONT. L4A 7X4 THE ALTONA MENNONITE MEETING H0USE There it stands solid and simple, yet attractive, at the intersection of the Uxibridge/Pickering Townline and Sideline # 30, in Pickering Township. Since 1852 the Altona Meeting House has graced the rural hamlet of Altona. It is surrounded by the only cemetery in the community, and by the graves of the pioneers who settled in the area in the early 1300,s. A number of Mennonite families were among emigrants from Pennsylvania, and also from other areas. The Mennonites gathered for worship in the homes of members until about 1625. When the congregation grew larger they began using a log schoolhouse recently erected on the southeast corner of the intersection. According to an old minute book still in the hands of the present trustees, a trustee meeting was first held in the ""New"" church on January 19, 1333, thus establishing that the church was built in 1852. William Feaster was the builder and Daniel Kreider was the first minister. This red brick building, with its two doors facing the road; its eight small windows with 7""x 9"" (17.5 x 23cm) panes; its pine floors and pews never, painted or varnished; its simple interior with the main meeting room and the two small anterooms, reflects the simple lifestyle and theology, of the people who built it so long ago. The floors and pews, are of simple construction and are as they were in 1852. The plastered, walls and ceilings are stark white as they have been through all of the many years. The ceilig has been replastered recently, using authentic materials. Two rows of cast iron hooks are attached to two by fours suspended from the ceiling, but only on one sideof the main room. This reflects the fact that women sat on one side of the central aisle, and men on the other. Since there is no cloakroom for the men, the hathooks are essential. A simple long pulpit is the focus for the persons sitting in the pews. The church building has never been renovated. The present trustees have used only authentic materials for any necessary repairs and maintenance. The church building is currently in an excellent condition structurally. The cemetery is also well maintained. Continuous worship services, although not every Sunday, were held in the church until 1974. Commemorative services have been held biennielly since October 5, 1980 The most recent service was held on September 12, 1999. Recently two weddings were held in this historic building for daughters of a local family. For tours of this lovely building contact the trustees who can be reached at one of the following numbers. 640-1536; 640-1133; 294 3539. " "The Altona Mennonite Meeting House There it stands solid and simple, yet attractive, at the intersection of the Uxbridge/Pickering Townline and Sideline # 30, in Pickering Township. Since 1852 the Altona Mennonite Meeting House has graced the rural harmlet of Altona. It is surrounded by the only cemetery in the community and by the graves of the pioneers who settled in the area in the early 1800's. A number of Mennonite families were among emigrants from Pennsylvania and in a few cases, from other areas. The Mennonites gathered for worship in the homes of members until 1825. When the congregation grew larger they began using a log schoolhouse on the southeast corner of the intersection. According to an old minute book, a trustee meeting was first held in the""New"" church on 19 January 1853, thus establishing that the church was built in 1852. William Feaster was the builder and Daniel Kreider was the first minister. This red brick building, with its two doors facing the road, its eight small windows with 7x9 inch (17.5 x 23 cm) panes, its pine floors and pews, its simple interior with the main meeting room and two small anterooms, reflects the simple lifestyle and theology of the people who built it so long ago. The floors and pews have never been painted or varnished and are as they were in 1852. The plastered walls and ceilings are stark white as they have been through all the years. Two rows of cast-iron clothes hooks are attached to two by fours suspended from the ceiling, but only on one side. This reflects the fact that women sat on one side of the central aisle, and men on the other. Since there is no cloakroom for the men, the hat hooks were essential. A simple long pulpit is the focus for persons sitting in the pews. The church building has never been renovated. The present trustees have tried to use only authentic materials for necessary repairs and maintenance. The church building is currently in an excellent condition structurally. The cemetery is well maintained. Continuous worship services, although not every Sunday were held in the church until 1974. Commemorative services have been held biennially since 5 October 1980. The most recent service was 28 September 1997. Recently two weddings were held in this historic building for daughters of a local family. For tours of this lovely old building, contact trustees Joe Nighswander or Kathy Nighswander. (905) 640-1536 or (905) 294-8589. by Joseph M. Nighswander Prepared for Dunbar. Region info pocket (Karen _____ _____) July/99"