Friday, June 14 2024 3 Brooklin Town Crier Brooklin's Community Newspaper Proud to be a Brooklinite Since 2000. Published 24 times per year. Editor, Richard Bercuson 613-769-8629 • editorofbtc@gmail.com • Circulation 8000 • Delivery via Canada Post Locally owned and operated. A publication of Appletree Graphic Design Inc. We accept advertising in good faith but do not endorse advertisers nor advertisements. All editorial submissions are subject to editing. For advertising information, contact: Email: mulcahy42@rogers.com Next Issue: Friday, June 28, 2024 Deadline: Friday, June 21, 2024 Brooklin TOWN CRIER.com One of the town's oldest buildings, a relic that has witnessed the evolution of Brooklin since its construction in 1855, began as the Wesleyan and Methodist Church in the same year Whitby was officially established as a town. The post and beam structure at 57 Baldwin Street has weathered the passage of time, serving as one of Brooklin's five churches in its early years. Once located on the south side of Winchester Road at the corner of Princess Street, it provided a place for congregants to hold their services from 1855 until 1868. With the opening of the current United Church in 1868, (formerly known as The Brooklin Methodist Church), the congregation merged with The Bible Christian and Methodist Episcopal Church and moved to their new home, leaving the Winchester Road building vacant for some time. Rather than facing demolition, the building was eventually sold and moved to the new location. A rolling move Although there is no recorded evidence of how the building was relocated, it is possible that the process involved a team of labourers who loaded the structure onto large wooden rollers and physically pushed it to the new location. This method was commonly used during the late 1800s to move buildings. The exact date of its move to Baldwin is also a mystery, though photos in the Whitby Public Library Archives provide insight into its timeline. By 1890, the building had found its new home, as demonstrated by existing photographic records. These images also reveal a change from the church to a store. Some time later, Morley Ross and his wife Hilda purchased the building and used the upstairs as their home while Hilda managed a dry goods store on the main floor. Morley was a local mail carrier for over two decades, delivering mail to a large rural area. Connie's began He died in 1963, but Hilda continued to live in the building. Brooklin residents Judy Vipond and Connie Heron purchased the building from the their son, Hugh, after Hilda's death in 1980 and established Connie's Brooklin Village Shoppe, where they sold the most current ladies fashions. When Judy retired, Connie assumed full ownership, managing the business until she decided to sell to the current owner, Active Natural Health, in 2020. Connie mentioned the building's original features, the post and beam structure, remain largely unchanged along with the old door and bolt latch. Inside is an area that features the original tin ceiling. The wide board wainscotting is still in place on most of the interior walls. Remarkably, the windows are believed to be the originals and have also stood the test of time. As Brooklin grows, this historic landmark serves as a reminder of the town's roots. Stepping into the Active Natural Health building at , residents and visitors alike are greeted with a piece of Brooklin's history. One of The Original Churches By Jennifer Hudgins Premier Ford: We know you're busy. We know your plate is full. Just like Lakeridge Hospital Oshawa is full. And will get moreso. You promised! How about that planning grant, please, so we can get moving on the much needed hospital?