Notice of Intention to Designate 3017 Old Bronte Road

On June 7, 2022 Oakville Town Council resolved to pass a Notice of Intention to Designate the following property under Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.18, as amended, as a property of cultural heritage value and interest:

Former Palermo Methodist Church Parsonage

The Former Methodist Church Parsonage is located on the east side of Old Bronte Road, north of Dundas Street West in the historic village of Palermo in Oakville. The property contains an early 19th century settlers’ cabin that was added to and renovated throughout the 19th century.

The Former Palermo Methodist Church Parsonage is a rare remaining example of an early 19th century settlers’ cabin that was added to and modified into a late 19th century Gothic Revival style home.

The c.1819 cabin displays craftsmanship in its original timber frame construction and remains one of very few known frame or log cabins built in the first two decades of the 19th century in Oakville. The building also has cultural heritage value for the 19th century front wing that was added and converted into a Gothic Revival style home, likely when the Palermo Methodist Church began using it as their parsonage.

The Victorian Gothic style was increasingly popular in Ontario around this time and the subject house is a unique and representative example of this eclectic and often exaggerated style with its steep roof, front gable and fanciful vergeboard.

The property has direct associations with the historic village of Palermo, the oldest settlement in present-day Oakville. Palermo was a significant stop along Dundas Street, the main route between Toronto and Hamilton, and the larger rural community depended on the village for its stage coach stop, post office, inn, stores, schools, and of course, its churches.

The subject property has strong associations with the Palermo Methodist Church, now the Palermo United Church, that continues to remain a significant organization in the community today. Used as the parsonage for almost four decades, the building was not only home to the pastors and their families, but also served as an administrative office for the church. Many of the church events and meetings would have been planned or held in the parsonage. The property helps contribute to our understanding of the development of both the village of Palermo and the Palermo United Church.

The Former Methodist Church Parsonage defines, maintains and supports the historic small-town character of the village of Palermo. The settlers’ cabin, including its location and orientation to Dundas Street, provides a significant link to the village’s early history of European settlement that took place along early routes like Dundas Street. The later front addition and Gothic Revival style renovations help tell the story of the evolution of the village from a sparse, early 19th century settlement to a busy and thriving village in the later 19th century and early 20th century.

The one- and two-storey house contributes to the historic low-scale character and street wall of the historic village area. The property is physically, visually and historically linked to its surroundings that have heritage value as a historic village that has evolved over two centuries.

Attributes Key attributes of the former parsonage building at 3017 Old Bronte Road that exemplify its value as a rare remaining example of an early 19th century settler’s cabin associated with the early development of Palermo include the following, as they relate to the one-storey easterly portion of the building:

Key attributes of the former parsonage building at 3017 Old Bronte Road that exemplify its value as a representative example of a Gothic Revival style house associated with the Palermo United Church and with the development of Palermo, include the following, as they relate to the two-storey westerly portion of the building:

Objections should be directed to the Town Clerk, 1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, Ontario L6H 0H3.

Further information respecting this proposed designation is available from the Town of Oakville. Any inquiries may be directed to Carolyn Van Sligtenhorst, Heritage Planner, at 905-845-6601, ext. 3875 (TTY 905-338-4200), or by email to carolyn.van@oakville.ca.

The last date to file a notice is July 25, 2022.