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Description : On the north side of the 7th Line, about 1 km. west of Bond Head, there is a metre-high cairn in the fence line, that marks the location of the home and church built by the Rev. Featherstone Osler in the late 1830s. The frame church, that would become Trinity Anglican Church in Bond Head, was initially planned a lecture base for divinity students, church school, and centre for baptisms and marriages. It was during this time, that four sons were born to the Oslers - Feathersone, Britton, Edmund and William. The two elder sons became lawyers of note, Edmund a banker, and William, a doctor who was knighted for his service to his fellow man, and whose work changed the nature of medical practice and diagnosis. A number of medical facilities in Ontario have been named in honour of Sir William Osler, and at Trinity Anglican Church today, a memorial window and brass plaque are of great interest to the members of the medical profession who come from all over the world to visit the birthplace of this leader of their chosen profession. The Osler timber-frame country church, with its stucco coating, was moved in September of 1885 from the 7th Line to the top of the hill, at the northwest corner of Bond Head. It was rollered down the rural road in sections, reassembled, then given a veneer of brick and a new steeple. New oak pews were installed, and the interior was trimmed in oak. Much of the original interior and exterior still survive, including items used by Rev. Osler himself. On December 20th, 1885, Rev. Osler travelled from his Dundas charge to officially open the renovated church in its new location. Recently, Dr. Watters, a local resident and retired surgeon, speaking to the Bradford West Gwillimbury Local History Association, stated, "The old Osler church built and preached in by the Reverend Featherstone Osler, home to his astonishing family, is a piece of Canadian history of interest around the world. We must find some way to preserve the Osler church as part of that character, and as a reminder of the kind of people who began it."

If you have any additional information about this photo please contact the library at 905-775-3328.

Interior of the Bond Head Anglican Church.

Bond Head Methodist Church 1873-1942 which was destroyed by fire.

Harvest Home Celebration at the Bond Head Methodist Church in 1911.

The third Bond Head Methodist Church after it was destroyed by fire. The fire began in a nearby garage owned by William Jardine. Residents formed a bucket brigade to put out the blaze.

Bond Head Methodist Church - stain glass window in memory of John Wilcox and Edward Jeffs.

John Wilcox was a pioneer of Tecumseth Township, arriving in 1855 from Cuba (where he worked in mine structure support). He was born in Chyandour, Cornwall, England on April 22, 1827, and apprenticed as an architect and carpenter. He was sent to Cuba in 1848 to work. In Canada, he married Ann Proctor with whom he had 5 children. John helped the town build roads and bridges, and promoted the Wesleyan Methodist Church in its early days.

Interior of the Bond Head Trinity Anglican Church.

From the Yesterday section of the Bradford Witness:
"Mrs. Earl Bowles submitted this week's photo of the Bradford Methodist Church taken before the First World War. The building still occupies a prominent spot in the town just north of the post office on Barrie Street and has since become the Bradford United Church. The trees which used to shade the street are long gone, but many of the older house along that street, including the church, are in excellent condition."