EBENEZER UNITED CHURCH

Ebenezer United Church is a 19th century, single-story and red brick church with a front gable roof with an adjoining cemetery. It is an example of the early Methodist chapels once numerous in the Brampton area. The original stone plaque over the door designates the building as the Ebenezer Primitive Methodist Church.

Ebenezer became part of the newly formed United Church of Canada in 1925. And in 1998, the United Church closed Ebenezer down. That same year, members of the congregation banned together to form a group called the Toronto Gore Heritage Foundation to attempt to save and maintain the church for community uses.

After purchasing Ebenezer from the United Church, the Toronto Gore Heritage Foundation was awarded a $75,000 Trillium Fund. At this time, George Robb Architect was retained to stabilize the masonry and build a basement underneath the church without moving it. Archaeologist Heather Henderson verified the cemetery was clear for construction on two sides of the building.

The TGHF anticipates four to five phases of construction. Throughout Phase 1, George Robb Architect designed washrooms and a mechanical room in the basement, a new furnace and new mechanical system. The next phase has not yet been scheduled, but will involve interior renovations to the church facility.

Owner: Toronto Gore Heritage Foundation
Architect: George Robb Architect
Structural: James Knight & Associates
Archaelogist: Heather Henderson, Historic Horizon
Construction Cost: $200,000 (Phase I)