Description : Bats in the tower, a bottle of wine tucked in behind the dated cornerstone, mould and dry rot in the rafters... that's what the Priestly Demolition crews found, as they demolished the old St. John's Presbyterian Church on John St. West in Bradford last weekend. The church came down more quickly than expected. When crews removed the windows in the east wall, it bowed outwards, creating safety concerns. And when part of the roof was removed, to lessen the possibility of unexpected collapse, a portion of the brickwork on the east wall fell. Structural safety was one of the key concerns that led the Presbyterian Church to sell the 112 year old building. Bulging walls, rotting rafters - estimates suggested that over $500,000 in repairs were needed, simply to preserve the structure. The cost did not include expansion, or the provision of handicapped access or washrooms. The Presbyterian Church instead has built a new St. John's Presbyterian, on Middletown Sideroad - a "House of God" that is completely handicapped accessible, large enough to accommodate the congregation, with a gymnasium and room for community outreach, filled with light and air, and free of hazardous mould. It is a vibrant expression of the Presbyterian Church in Bradford West Gwillimbury. The John St. property was sold to the neighbouring Trinity Anglican Church. Although the land will be used as a parking lot in the short term, the Anglican Church is fundraising to someday raise a new "House of God" on the site.

The front of the Auld Kirk in the Scotch Settlement, built in 1869.

The excelsior bible class (young gentleman's class) of the Newton Robinson Methodist church in 1916.
Back row: D.K. Harvey, John Wood, Herman Harvey, Elgar Houghton, Watson Rowe, Lyman Chantler.
Middle row: Bert Stewart, Earl Rowe, Henry Chiconey, Leonard Jackson, Herman Lennox, Thomas Harvey, Henry Harvey, Mel Holt.
Front Row: Russell Rowe, Herb Long, Norman Chantler, Rob Houghton, Walter McClean, Charles Houghton. Inset: Charles Brown and Stanley Parker.

"Best known landmark in Bond Head is the Anglican church at the top of the hill where the driving sheds used to shelter the horses and buggies of church members until a few decades ago still may be seen. In the lower photograph, a simple cairn marking the birthplace of the famed Canadian physician and medical author, Sir William Osler, is shown. It is located on the hill across from Penville Creek on the 7th Line."

Bradford United Church is located at 66 Barrie St. The structure in this photo was built in 1865 in the Gothic Revival style. There was an original church built on this site in 1851.
The 1½-storey building has a rectangular plan, tall and narrow window openings, and a steeply-pitched, gable roof. The enclosed narthex is a recent addition. It is not considered to be consistent with the original style. Tall, gothic-style, trefoil arched openings light the nave. A round, rose window (with muntins set in the shape of a cross) is set into the gable portion of the façade. These cross-shaped muntins replace the original four-leaf clover muntins. The vergeboard has small, gothic arches. Octagonal pinnacles are found at each of the four corners. These pinnacles were originally topped with ornamental spires. Shallow buttresses extending the full height of the façade divide it into three parts. The trefoil arch and the three-part façade refer to the Trinity. There is brick masonry construction with stucco cladding and a parged, stone foundation. The original dichromatic brick cladding is concealed under the stucco cladding. Originally, the underlying red brick walls had buff-coloured brick buttresses and framing at the door and window openings. According to the 2000 inventory, the building is in good condition with some original features. (1, 3, 4)

The article accompanying this photograph gives a quick history of the Roman Catholic Church, which was located on the corner of Moore and Frederick Streets. It was built in 1862. The officiating priest was Rev. Father Whitney in 1906.

Photograph of the Bond Head Pioneer Parade on July 1, 1967, featuring the "Bath Night on the Farm 1867" float from the Bond Head United Church Sunday School group. On the float (from left to right): Dorothy and Dawn Culbert, Mary Stevenson, Susan Glassford, Hilda and Ruthie McKay, Jean K, Glen Brethet, Steven Reynolds, Dot Grimshaw, Tommy Hamilton.

Part of Jean and Rob Keffer's centennial album

Photograph of the Bond Head Pioneer Parade on July 1, 1967, featuring the "Bath Night on the Farm 1867" float from Bond Head United Church Sunday School. On the float (from left to right): Dorothy and Dawn Culbert, Mary Stevenson, Susan Glassford, Hilda and Ruthie McKay, Jean K, Glen Brethet, Steven Reynolds, Dot Grimshaw, Tommy Hamilton.

Part of Jean and Rob Keffer's centennial album

Photograph of the Bond Head United Church Sunday School in the Centennial year.

Part of Jean and Rob Keffer's centennial album

An ad for a play entitled, “Closed Lips” to be held at the Bradford Town Hall and presented by the Bradford United Church Y.P.S., c. 1933. Appeared in the Bradford Witness.