Autre nom(s)
Norwich Gore United Church
813186 Base Line
Episcopal Methodist Church
Liens et documents
Date(s) de construction
1861/01/01
Inscrit au répertoire canadien:
2009/03/20
Énoncé d'importance
Description du lieu patrimonial
The Norwich Gore United Church is located at 813186 Base Line, on the west side of Base Line, south of the intersection of Norwich Street and Base Line, in the Township of Norwich. The one-storey timber church was constructed in 1861.
The property was designated, by the Township of Norwich, in 2002, for its historic or architectural value, under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act (By-law 54-2002).
Valeur patrimoniale
The Norwich Gore United Church is associated with William Merrill, a local labourer, and the growing Episcopal Methodist Congregation of Norwich Township. The Episcopal Methodists were outgrowing their original place of worship and in 1859, the trustees decided to build a new church.
Three quarters of an acre of land was purchased and William Merrill, a local sawmill operator, donated the lumber and guided the church's construction. Local pioneers helped Merrill complete the frame structure of solid timbers, in 1861. William Merrill went on to build other local churches, including the Norwich Methodist Church, later the Norwich United Church, in 1866.
The Norwich Gore United Church is a rare example of a church designed in the Regency style of architecture, in Oxford County. Characteristic of this style, the church features large gothic styled lancet windows. Lancet windows were traditionally used in cathedrals to allow for light during the pre-electric age. The eight, four foot by twelve foot windows in this relatively small church make the interior open and bright. The double lancet windows of one over eight panes are capped with a ruby-coloured cruciform in a wooden framed mullion. The cruciform is a three-sided petal design, joined by a short neck to a heart shaped bottom. The eight panes are opaque pebbled glass, traditionally used so worshippers would not be tempted to stare out of the window.
Source: Township of Norwich By-law 54-2002.
Éléments caractéristiques
Character defining elements that contribute to the heritage value of the Norwich Gore United Church include its:
- continued use as a place of worship since 1861
- sign above the entrance which commemorates the date of construction
- rectangular floor-plan
- gable roofline
- white timber frame construction
- symmetrical placement of the eight double lancet windows
- four foot by twelve foot window construction of 1 over 8 opaque pebbled glass, capped with a ruby-coloured cruciform in a wooden-framed mullion
- three-sided petal cruciform design
Reconnaissance
Juridiction
Ontario
Autorité de reconnaissance
Administrations locales (Ont.)
Loi habilitante
Loi sur le patrimoine de l'Ontario
Type de reconnaissance
Désignation du patrimoine municipal (partie IV)
Date de reconnaissance
2006/02/22
Données sur l'histoire
Date(s) importantes
2002/01/01 à 2002/01/01
Thème - catégorie et type
- Exprimer la vie intellectuelle et culturelle
- La philosophie et la spiritualité
Catégorie de fonction / Type de fonction
Actuelle
Historique
- Religion, rituel et funéraille
- Centre religieux ou lieu de culte
Architecte / Concepteur
s/o
Constructeur
William Merrill
Informations supplémentaires
Emplacement de la documentation
Township of Norwich
210 Main Street East
Norwich, Ontario
N0J 1P0
Réfère à une collection
Identificateur féd./prov./terr.
HPON07-0293
Statut
Édité
Inscriptions associées
s/o