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Article about the sale of the Trinity Anglican Church in Bond Head, including a brief history.

The Grand Old Dame of Bradford

It's been a convent and home for the rich in the past 111 years.

It stands like a grand old lady on Bradford's main street, its ancient facade belonging to a bygone era.

But time has chipped the regal bearing of the building, wrinkling its paint and the once shiny windows that surveyed a street filled with horses and carriages are now broken and empty.

Originally a home for the town's wealthy and prominent, the 1876 mansion was also used as a convent and as an apartment building.

The building was stripped of the last vestiges of stateliness in the last five years when the Town of Bradford and its owners were embroiled in a legal controversy over ownership.

Plagued by Vandals

Left in limbo, the house was plagued by vandals and disuse. It was then that Bradford resident Jim Culbert launched his one-man crusade to have the home returned to its former glory.

The town council wanted to tear the house down to make way for a library, but now as the dispute with owner Fred Picavet is settled and the town takes possession under a new council, the future of The Old Convent is once again up in the air.

While Mayor Bill DePeuter says it isn't economically feasible to retain the complete house, he plans to hold a public meeting for residents' input into the building's fate.

But 36-year-old Culbert insists the town landmark should be preserved intact and renovated "as a tribute to those men and women who gave us our historical heritage."

He spent many an hour in libraries and registry offices and spoke to past owners in an effort to trace the heritage of the historic house.

The building is steeped in the town's history, back in 1871 when John and Eliza Armstrong sold their three-acre parcel of land bound by Letitia, Barrie and Moore streets to John MacLean Stevenson for $1,200.

Stevenson wanted a unique design for his dream house and on returning from a trip to Scotland, the Bradford lawyer brought back plans based for a Scottish castle.

At that time, English aristocrats, and later the wealthy in Ontario, were copying the design of Queen Victoria's and Prince Albert's country retreat on the Isle of Wight.

It soon became apparent to curious onlookers that the home under construction in 1876 was to emulate this popular Italianate style.

Topping the majestic home was a widow's walk or Italian campanile, an octagonal tower with windows on each side that provided a breathtaking view of Bradford and the surrounding countryside.

Inside the house, an enormous, graceful staircase spirals upwards, from the large foyer. The cherrywood that it is made of borders doors and windows throughout the house.

Off the entrance lies the formal living room with its three large windows, separated by pockets doors from a games room with oak panels, fireplace mantel and broad ceiling beams.

Beautiful Interior

A mahogany fireplace and large picture window grace the music room at the front, connected by an arched doorway to the sun room.

The back of the mansion houses the large dining room and kitchen with wainscotted walls. Behind the kitchen lies a storage room for food and meat curing. Stairways lead to the basement and second floor.

On the second floor, a distinctively etched window once separated the stair landing from the hallway, but was recently smashed by vandals. That window was the sole source of natural light for the hallway.

The upstairs landing and hallway floors are made of oak with intricate designs. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a dressing room complete the second floor.

Another spiral staircase leads up to the tower landing and widow's walk from where the climber can see the lake to the northeast, Newmarket to the southeast, the marsh to the south and Bradford to the north.

It is this that Culbert is fighting to keep from becoming a memory, lost in the name of progress.

The dignified house was resided in by Stevenson, the reeve until 1877. Later that year it was sold to Robert Bingham for $5,500.

Seventeen years later, Robert's widow Caroline sold the home for $2,000 during a depression. James Boddy, the reeve from 1894 to 1896, took over the house, calling it Fairview.

The deed passed through several hands until famed Canadian missionary and author Rev. Egerton R. Young of Bradford bought the house for $2,300 in 1903.

Renamed Algonquin Lodge, the minister made it his home shortly after marrying one of Bradford's most attractive ladies, Libbie Bingham. After his death in 1910, the house was again sold, going to Samuel Lukes for $3,600.

Renovations

The Lukes family, which operated the busy Bradford Flour Mill on Holland Street, made several repairs to their house, replacing the verandas with one large one.

In 1929, Samuel's son Gilbert continued alterations, adding a sun room, changing the location of the driveway and entrance steps as well as stuccoing the home for warmth.

Artie Saint. the town's popular house and barn builder, was commissioned to do the renovations, converting a bedroom into a dressing room and building the unique bathroom with bidet, shower, bath and toilet that still stands today. A garage and stable were added to the rear of the house.

Lukes began selling off parcels of land surrounding the house in 1945, and in 1949, a For Sale sign went up again on the front lawn of what was then called Luxalean.

The Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation for the Diocese of Toronto bought the house for $19,000 but soon sold it to the Ursuline Order of the Diocese of London, a group of teaching nuns.

However, the plot of land south to the house was retained and St. Mary's Catholic School was built.

The stately mansion passed through on era of grandeur and spacious living, the huge terraced gardens becoming a concrete driveway and then in 1969, it was converted into an apartment house by John and Maria Moniz.

Despite town bylaws prohibiting such use, it was used as a multiple family dwelling for 12 years until 1981 when the 105-year-old building was sold to Fred and Betty-Lou Picavet for $90,000.

The Picavets hoped to restore the house but had only stripped plaster from the inner and outer walls, in tending to insulate for a warm and comfortable home, when they were halted by a certificate of lis pendents filed by the town in February, 1981.

The town had issued a stop-work order and Picavets in turn sued the town.

Mayor DePeuter said although the town had offered to buy the house and placed a deposit, the Picavets stepped in with the cash.

An agreement was reached this month, ending the lawsuits, and the town will purchase the house from the Picavets.

The mayor said council will discuss ways that the building can be used by residents, adding the neighbouring old St. Mary's school is well-used as a nursery school and community meeting hall.

While DePeuter says he realizes some residents will want the building retained for historical reasons, he feels it would cost too much. Instead, certain parts such as the facade or tower could be kept, he adds.

Community Uses

The dispute over ownership was of little concern to Culbert, a self-admitted antique lover and owner of The Furniture Doctor. He only wishes to see the house restored without the loss of its original character.

Culbert says the house could have a number of community uses, adding if elevators were installed, it would make a beautiful library.

He estimated the 111-year-old house would need about $250,000 in repairs including new plumbing, drywall, insulation and doors and windows.

"It may be in disrepair but it's never sagged," he says. "It still is standing."

The mayor says council isn't in a hurry to make a decision about the building but will likely decide its fate by the end of the year.

Until then, like any grand old lady, the house patiently waits, accepting the ravages of time and age with stoicism while memories dance inside.

This newspaper article is from the Bradford Womens Institute Scrapbooks.

BRADFORD - Life-long Bradford resident and lawyer C.T.S. "Charlie" Evans last week shed further light on the history of the old convent on Barrie St.

The convent it currently the object of a legal tussle over ownership between the town and the contractor Fred Picavet.

Mr. Evans said he recalls being told by Kate Stevenson, the daughter of 19th century Bradford lawyer John MacLean Stevenson, that her father constructed the house based on plans of a Scots castle.

A CASTLE
"I recall her telling me that at one time he had gone to Scotland and had come back with plans of a castle and that he had this house built according to that plan," Mr. Evans said.

According to his personal records, Mr. Evans noted that Mr. Stevenson had been a Master of the Masonic Lodge in Bradford in 1877, a post usually held by older men.

"So hazarding a guess I would have to say that that house would be 150 years old," he surmised.

FIRST WAR
He said that the Lukes family, who owned the Bradford flour mill in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, likely moved into the house around the beginning of the First World War.

"Dick Crake bought the Lukes' house (where the Anzil Plaza now stands) around that time and the Lukes moved into what everyone now knows as the old convent."

Mr. Evans said a check could be made in the registry office in Barrie to determine when the property was originally purchased by Mr. Stevenson.

"Masons, carpenters and painters have been for some time and are still at work at Algonquin Lodge, and "vaster than has been" are the improvements that are being made. This property was lately purchased from the Estate of the late Rev. E.R. Young by Mr. samuel Lukes, who contemplates making many changes to this already handsome structure, besides installing a hot water heating system, sceptic tank, etc."

An article announcing the death of and paying tribute to Ron Simpson.

"St. John's Presbyterian Church was filled yesterday with people mourning the death and celebrating the life of longtime Bradford West Gwillimbury Councillor Ron Simpson...Mr. Simpson, a custom homebuilder by profession, has been a councillor since 1985 for all but one term.,,"

Event date: May 15, 2005
Event type: death

Description: Died at Ottawa on May 15, 2006, as a result of complications from an aneurysm. Padre Hopkins had a distinguished 32 year career in the Canadian Armed Forces, including service with the RCHA in Korea in 1953 and the first Canadian contingent of the United Nations Emergency Force in the Sinai. He was the first Chaplain awarded the Order of Military Merit and ended his military career as Chaplain General. ...

Event Date: March 27, 2001
Event Type: death

"Suddenly as a result of an accident on Tuesday, March 27, 2001. Kyle Andrews, in his 41st year, of RR6 Aylmer, formerly of Bradford. Beloved husband of Carol, loving Daddy of Katie and Ezra. Loving son of Barbara of Bradford and Harold of Haliburton. Dear brother of Debbie and Ron Vink, Dianne Andrews and friend John Keast. Shawn and Michelin Horner. Dear son-in-law of Don and Shirley Campbell. Special uncle to Rebecca, Cor, Nicholas, Chad and Owen. Dear nephew to Earle and Madeline Bowles. Memorial Service was held at Straffordville United Church, Saturday, March 31.
In expression of sympathy donations would be appreciated to the Katie & Ezra Trust Fund at the Scotia Bank to Acct. 0219886, Transit #86082.
A Memorial Gathering in Kyle's home community to celebrate his life will be held at the Institute Hall in Newton Robinson on Sunday, April 8th from 1:30-4:00 p.m. A memorial will be given by Rev. Logie at 2:30 p.m."

Municipality :
Community : West Gwillimbury
Lot :
Concession :
Description : Age: 83rd year.
Born in County of Cavan, Ireland.
Came to Canada in 1846.
Married to Susan Fennell, daughter of the late Joseph Fennell, Esq., with whom he had a large family, five of which survive. The oldest son is the Reeve of West Gwillimbury.
His second wife was Maria Thompson, of Tecumseth, with whom he had a son and daughter, who still live at home with their mother and Miss Jennie Wood.
Recently his son, Joseph, and son-in-law, William Morton, also passed away.
Additional article appeared in the January 12th edition.

Municipality :
Community : Bradford
Lot :
Concession :
Description : Born in West Gwillimbury on January 26, 1831, to Mr. & Mrs. John Faris.
Was one of ten children, and only four remain: Robert, James, and Mrs. Alex. Sutherland, of Tecumseth, and Mrs. James Bowles, of West Gwillimbury.
Married Susannah Goodfellow, daughter of the late John Goodfellow, in 1856, and they lived on Maple Farm, Scotch Settlement.
Father of six children, of whom five remain: John, Peter, Will (who just married B. Strong and occupies the homestead), Miss Kate, and Mrs. John Sinclair.
Had just moved to Bradford to retire.
Treasurer of West Gwillimbury.

Municipality :
Community : Bradford
Lot :
Concession :
Description : Born in Brock, Ontario, in 1837, the oldest son of seven children.
Came to Bradford in 1854 as an apprentice for Thomas Wallace, harness-maker.
Went to America, but returned and partnered with Wilson Scott to buy out the shop of Mr. John Davidson, a partnership that lasted 49 years.
Married Anne Driffill on March 25, 1868.
Had seven children, four of whom are still living: Harvey, Charles, Victor, and Mrs. T.W.W. Evans.
In 1891, sold their business to Mr. E.P. Snow.
Was then appointed to the Clerkship of the Second Division Court, which he held until his death.
Was a member of the: Bench of Magistrates, High School Board, Public Library Board, and the Agricultural Society.
Was the Reeve of Bradford for nine years.
Died of pernicious anaemia.
Age: 66 years.
Interred in Mount Pleasant.