The Church was built in 1893 on the corner of Church and John Street, during the pastorade of Rev. F. Smith. It replaced a frame structure that was sold to the Anglican Church to be used for a parish hall in 1893, it was demolished in 1953. The Stonework is by George McDonald, a stonemason. The original name was Bradford Presbyterian Church but was later renamed St. John's Presbyterian Church in 1966. The seating capacity is 350, and the tower stands 65 feet high.
Located on the corner of Church and James Street. This church was built in 1900 after the original church was destroyed by fire. The first church was built in 1851 and burned down in April 1900. Rev. G.B. Morley was the first minister in the new church. It is built in early English Style and used Milton Pressed Brick, a high quality and expensive brick.
"The Grade One students at Bradford Public school performed two plays last Friday for their parents. One play dealt with Santa and his reindeer, while the other was about the birth of Jesus. The shepherds and wise men gathered 'round and looked on as Jesus was born in a manger."
"The Auld Kirk, a historical church located at the Scotch Settlement will be the scene of an old time church service Sunday, June 22 at 3:00 p.m. The service is being jointly arranged by the Barrie Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church and the Simcoe Presbytery of the United Church. The Auld Kirk is on the 6th line of West Gwillimbury Township south of Highway 88 at the Scotch Settlement. The outdoor service will be led by Rev. Henry Dahlin, minister of Bond Head United Church and Chairman of the Simcoe Presbytery. Also participating in the service will be Rev. Ken Purdon, minister of Burton Ave. United Church in Barrie and Rev. Ed MacDonald, minister of the Presbyterian Church in Orillia and moderator of Barrie Presbytery. The guest preacher will be Rev. W. Stanford Reid, Professor of History at the University of Guelph. The Auld Kirk's beginnings go back to 1823 when a log church was built by the settlers of the Scotch Settlement. In 1827, a frame church was built and the original log building was moved and used as a school until 1840. The present Auld Kirk building was erected in 1869 at a cost of $1,000. Due to a dwindling population the church was closed in 1885 and for some years fell into disrepair. In 1912, it required a new roof. In 1953, the restoration of the cemetery was started and in 1958 restoration work began on the church."
"A congregation of more than 150 people gathered at the Auld Kirk in the Scotch Settlement near Bradford on Sunday afternoon. The churchgoers were attending an outdoor service arranged by the South Simcoe Presbytery."
"Fred Cook, a man who for many years was a social and political influence in Bradford, died last Thursday in York County Hospital at 73. Mr. Cook was admitted to the hospital April 6 suffering from a heart attack. Funeral services were held in Trinity Anglican Church, Bradford, on Monday afternoon with the Rector, Rev. Jack House and Bishop Hunt, a lifelong friend of Mr. Cook's, conducting the service. Hundreds of friends and associates gathered in the little church on Church St. that Fred Cook served so well. Mayor Joe Magani led a delegation of members of council and the town administrative staff. Many officials representing the various surrounding municipalities also attended the special funeral service. During his 73 years, Fred Cook's life revolved around the town of his birth, Bradford."
"He was a special kind of man. A ready smile, a razor-sharp wit and a concern for his fellow man.... these were the engaging qualities of Frederick Christopher Cook, town councillor, churchman and fraternal brother. Fred Cook was an unassuming man, who reached out and touched the lives of thousands of people. His dedication to public service as a town councillor will be remembered by the many Bradford ratepayers who came to know him and trust him as a man of honesty and directness. Fred was a warm man, who understood people's problems and did all he could to solve them. Besides his open humbleness, he was a man who was concerned about the future of his community."
"Deputy Reeve Fred Cook has decided to run for council in this year's election. 'I've served for 10 or 12 years as deputy reeve. I think it's time to let someone else have a shot at it, but I'd still like to serve on council,' said Mr. Cook. Born and raised in Bradford, the town has been the centre of the candidate's whole life. 'I have a natural interest in the developments affecting the future of the town. It's pretty certain we are going to grow unless growth is restricted by the government. I'm not against growth, but I think it's essential we don't grow too fast or too soon. As we grow, we must set up and maintain the essentials for growth, from our schools to our sewers,' said Cook. Cook said his greatest interest, outside his work and politics, has been Christian education. In 1962, he received a national citation for Christian education by a Canadian from the department of Christian Education from the Canadian Council of Churches. He has also served as a lay reader in the Anglican Church since 1934."
