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Mennonite Archives of Ontario Lorraine Roth photographs of Mennonite properties in Waterloo Region and Oxford County Historical markers
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Historical marker for Bethel Cemetery in Block A, Wilmot Twp.

Close up view of dark green plaque. Plaque reads "Bethel Cemetery This plaque is dedicated to the memory of those early pioneer families buried here who established and comprised the congregation known as Bethel Methodist and later Bethel United Church. This place of worship, established in 1861, held regular services for over 110 years. The influence from this quiet country church lives on through the lives of their descendants wherever they have located, whether in this community or in distant places. Plaque placed by Cemetery trustees - 1990".

Roth, Lorraine

Historical marker for Blenheim Mennonite Cemetery, Block A, Wilmot Twp.

Close up view of dark green plaque. Plaque reads "Blenheim Mennonite Cemetery This 3 acre site including land for a cemetery was purchased in 1850 from Peter & Susannah Bomberger Erb by the Blenheim Mennonite Congregation organized in 1839. Their daughter Susannah Erb 1816-1892 married Peter Bricker 1808-1892. Peter Bricker was a member of the Building Committee of the first meetinghouse on this site. Burials in the cemetery in the 1830s indicate it has been used by the community from the beginning of settlement."

Roth, Lorraine

Historical site plaque at Lot 16, South Snyder Rd. Wilmot Twp.

Dark blue plaque with gold-coloured edge. Plaque reads "The First Amish Settlement In 1822 Christian Nafziger, an Amish Mennonite from Munich, Germany, came to Upper Canada to find land on which to settle some 70 German families. With the assistance of a group of Mennonites headed by Jacob Erb, who had settled nearby,a petition was made to the government for land here in present-day Wilmot Township. Surveyed two years later by John Goessman, this German Block was people primarily by Amish from Europe. In 1824-25 Bishop John Stoltzfus of Pennsylvania organized the first congregation and ordained as ministers John Brenneman and Joseph Goldschmidt. Services were held in the homes of members until 1884 when a simple frame meetinghouse, which served until 1946 was erected near this site." Roth notes "in Steinmann Mennonite Church Cemetery".

Roth, Lorraine

Oasis in the Centre, Wilmot Twp.

Close up view of plaque which reads "Wilmot Township, 1791 to 1850 --- a brief history. Wilmot Township was designated a Crown Reserve following the Canada Act of 1791 which created Upper and Lower Canada. Following the government survey of Bleam's, Snyder's, and Erb's Roads in 1824, Mennonites from Waterloo Township and Amish from Europe claimed lost along these roads and began clearing roadways and farms. The Canada Land Company opened the Huron Road through thesouthern part of the township in 1828. Soon after, Roman Catholics and Lutherans from Alsace and Germany, Anglicans from the British Isles, and others joined the initial settlers in clearing land and building roads, mills, shops, churches, schools, and villages. In 1842 Wilmot Township sent representatives to council meetings of the newly-formed Wellington district. They adopted the Common School Act and divided the township into school districts. The Baldwin Act, passed in May 1849, established a new framework for municipal government. Townships and incorporated villages were recognized as rural units of government. They gained power to elect their own local officials and to tax land owners for local improvements. On January 21, 1850, in Wilmot Centre, the first elected council of the Township of Wilmot met. The sitting wall at this Oasis in the Centre represents both the foundati[ons] of the 1850 Wilmot Township Hall and the strong community foundation built by those early settlers."

Roth, Lorraine

Oasis in the Centre, Wilmot Twp.

Photo is of a low field stone wall that rises at various levels to become high enough at the back to be a gate. There are two gaps in the wall, one each in the front and back, both of which have a metal arch over them. In front of the second, higher, arch is a bronze statue of two young people appearing ready to leap off the edge.

Roth, Lorraine

Oasis in the Centre, Wilmot Twp.

Photo is a close up view of a plaque, which reads "Oasis in the Centre This millenium project commemorates the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Township of Wilmot. It was officially opened by the people of Wilmot Township on Sunday October 1, 2000. This sitting wall, built with fieldstones contributed by Wilmot Township families, marks the site of the original 1850 Township Hall. "Leap of Faith", the bronze statue by Wilmot Twonship resident, Ruth Abernethy, portrays two young people about to leap from the stone archway. They face the future with confidence, courage and spirit - as did those who came before. The inlaid map of Wilmot Township shows the early settlements and encourages you to orient yourself both literally and figuratively in the past, present and future. This plot of land was deeded by the Crown to Peter S. Gingerich in 1836. The Oasis pays tribute to our cultural and natural heritage. It represents the spirit of community involvement of many generations of Wilmot Township residents."

Roth, Lorraine