The Auld Kirk Church is located on the south half of Lot 8 on Concession 6 of West Gwillimbury. In 1819, a group of Scottish and Irish settlers arrived in Upper Canada, and developed the area known today as the "Scotch Settlement". After the initial goal of building homes to fulfill the stipulation of the land grants, their thoughts turned toward building a church and school to educate their children. In 1822, land was obtained from John Faris, an Irish farmer, for a graveyard. In 1823, a log church was built on the land, and it also served as a school house during the winter months. This building, which was later moved to a different location, was the first school and church in Simcoe County. The congregation first met On January 6, 1822. James Sutherland, a settler, was authorized by the Church of Scotland to conduct baptisms and marriages until there was a settled minister. The first settled pastor was not until 1831. In 1832, they decided to send for a minister from the Established Church of Scotland, which resulted in a split in the congregation, and a new Church being formed in Bond Head. The remaining congregation stayed true to the belief's of the Church of Scotland, and the church never had an organ, and only Psalms were sang, not wrtten hymns. All of the sermons were long and in Gaelic, and were interpreted. In 1869, the present church was built costing $1000 to the congregation. Due to dwindling numbers, the church was closed in 1885. A new roof was put on in 1912, and in 1929, shutters were put on the church and the doors repaired. A fence was also put around the cemetery, and the driving shed was moved to a local farm where it still exists today. Another restoration of the church was done in 1958, when a new roof was put on, the windows were put back in, new steps were built, it was painted inside and out, and the floor was jacked up. Two plaques were dedicated in 1958. One was unveiled by Henry McKay in honour of his aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. James McKay, some of the first settlers. The other was unveiled by Angus Campbell, for the Ontario Government's recognition of the Selkirk Settlers.

The Auld Kirk Cemetery on the 5th Line in the Scotch Settlement marking the final resting place of many early settlers.

This is a picture of Holland Street looking west when it was just a dirt road. Notice the trees that used to line the street. The white building on the right was the post office and up to 1915 was home to the first library in town. The dark building beside it was a laundry .

Walter and Laura Lloyd's Family
Back: Brian Lloyd, Donnalee Lloyd, Ron Glendenning, Bruce Robson with Janet Robson, Debbie Lloyd, Doug Lloyd.
Front: Leila Lloyd, Edgar Lloyd, Helen Robson, Budd Robson, Alice Lloyd and John Lloyd.

Walter Lloyd on the tractor with his daughter Helen on his knee. John Lloyd and Isobel Kneeshaw on the tractor and Steve Katrinak (hired hand) on the binder.

Edgar, John and Helen Lloyd.

Summer harvest = four-horse team and binder. Grain harvest on the Lloyd farm with the binder in action. The row sheaves and the stooks are on the left.

This Allis Chalmers forage harvester used for harvesting haylage or corn silage, was purchased from Duncan McArthur in Bond Head.

Winter outing - sleigh and horses was the typical mode of winter transport in those days.