The Methodist Church in Beaverdams was built around 1832. Beaverdams was considered a centre for Methodists from the 1790s onwards. The church is built in the style of a New England meeting house; it has an almost square shape, minimal ornamentation, arched ceiling, flanking galleries and paired entrances.
Beside the church is the Beaverdams Church Cemetery which holds the remains of many of Thorold's early settlers - the Egerter, Griffiths, Kelly, Swayze, Summers and Theal families.
In 2008, neighbours Cheryl Smith and Mal Woodhouse, concerned about the fate of the historic building did considerable research, and discovered that the United Church of Canada owned it. They are considering selling it to the City of Thorold under the auspices of a community group. As a result the Beaverdams Church Restoration Committee was formed. Fundraising and plans for restoration are on hold until the legalities are dealt with, and then the community will jump to action. Anyone interested in volunteering please contact them for further information.
Not open to the public, but one can walk around the grounds.
Canadian Inventory of Historic Buildings, Architectural Survey of Thorold. When you "Click here for address", click on 303-01 Marlatts Road # to find the Beaverdams Methodist Church.
Heritage Thorold LACAC, Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee
Heritage Thorold LACAC. Designated Properties. "Click on a property" Click on "Beaverdams Methodist Church"
Heritage Thorold (LACAC). Thorold: A Selection of Heritage Buildings and Sites.2006. Pg. 26. This is also available as a very informative 31 page booklet (free), at the following three locations. Call ahead for hours and availability:
City of Thorold's municipal office at 3540 Schmon Parkway (905) 945-9634. It's available in a pamphlet rack located to the right of the front door, across from the receptionist's desk
Lock 7 Tourist Centre
Thorold Public Library
Phone: | (905) 680-8886 |
Beaverdams Methodist Church
1 Marlatts Road
Thorold, Ontario
L2V 1M9
Latitude: | 43.10496981050 |
Longitude: | -79.21842974260 |
UTM easting: | 644967 |
UTM northing: | 4774012 |
Mal Woodhouse
Chair
Beaverdams Church Restoration Committee
Thorold, Ontario
L2V 1M9
Tel (905) 680-8886
Email mwoodhouse@niagara.on.ca