SHARON, EAST GWILLIMBURY – The Honourable Madeleine Meilleur, Ontario Minister of Culture and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, today launched Heritage Week with the Ontario Heritage Foundation at the Sharon Temple.

"Heritage Week is an opportunity for us all to reflect on the wealth of heritage that surrounds us in this province," said Minister Meilleur. "This year's theme – Ontario's Heritage: Our Shared Legacy – highlights our distinct histories and encompasses the values and institutions we all share. The Sharon Temple stands out as an historic landmark that continues to inspire and delight."

"We are extraordinarily fortunate to be here at the Sharon Temple National Historic Site today to kick off Heritage Week in Ontario," said The Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander, Chairman of the Ontario Heritage Foundation. "There is nothing quite like the Sharon Temple anywhere else in the world, and we're incredibly proud of that unique heritage."

This architectural gem is associated with the Children of Peace – a breakaway sect of the Society of Friends, or Quakers – founded in the early 19^th century by radical thinker David Willson. In 1801, Willson and his wife emigrated from New York to join the Quaker community in Upper Canada. Increasingly frustrated with Quaker practices and beliefs, and an outspoken critic, Willson was dismissed from the Society of Friends by 1812. With several other former Quakers, he established a new religious sect incorporating some Quaker doctrines, elements of mysticism as well as Jewish ceremony, and an emphasis on music in worship.

"The Sharon Temple National Historic Site is the legacy of an early nineteenth century utopian pioneer community that helped establish the basic framework of Canadian democracy," said Jenny Carver, Board President for the Sharon Temple. "Their compelling vision of tolerance, equality, charity and of government responsible to the people challenges us today just as it did then."

Initially meeting at Willson's home, the growing sect eventually required larger accommodation. With the assistance of master builder Ebenezer Doan, Willson constructed the Temple of Peace between 1827-1832. While the sect flourished under Willson's guidance, and was active politically in Upper Canada and later Canada West, it went into a rapid decline in 1866 after his death. With the death of his son in 1887, the property fell into disrepair. In 1918, the York Pioneer and Historical Society purchased the property. After some repairs, the Temple was opened as a museum.

The Temple of Peace is a unique wood-framed building comprised of three tiers of diminishing size. Each tier has tall multi-paned windows on all four sides with a small pinnacle at each corner of the roof. Every element of the Temple was intended to symbolize some aspect of the sect's religious beliefs: the three tiers represent the Trinity; a door in each of the four sides allowed people to enter on an equal footing from all directions; equal numbers of windows on each side allowed the light of the gospel to shine on the assembly with equal strength; four pillars supporting the lantern were inscribed with the words denoting the cardinal virtues – faith, hope, love and charity; 12 pinnacle lanterns and 12 interior pillars represent the apostles. In the centre of the Temple is the tabernacle – like the Temple itself, an artifact of remarkable design, proportion and craftsmanship.

The Temple – a National Historic Site – is owned and operated by the Sharon Temple Museum Society. The Sharon Temple is also protected by an Ontario Heritage Foundation conservation easement. For more information on the Temple, visit www.sharontemple.ca.

The Ontario Heritage Foundation is a not-for-profit agency of the Government of Ontario, dedicated to identifying, preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario's heritage.

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Contact:

Gordon Pim, Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Telephone: 416-325-1484
E-mail: gordon.pim@heritagefdn.on.ca