HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-16-009 - Designation Under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act - 800 King Street East
REPORT TO:Heritage Kitchener
DATE OF MEETING: February 2, 2016
SUBMITTED BY:Brandon Sloan, Manager of Long Range & Policy Planning,
519-741-2200, ext. 7648
PREPARED BY:Sandra Parks, Heritage Planner, 519-741-2200, ext. 7839
WARD(S) INVOLVED:Ward 10
DATE OF REPORT:January11, 2016
REPORT NO.:CSD-16-009
SUBJECT:Designation of 800 King Street East
under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act
RECOMMENDATION:
That pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the Clerk be directed to publish a
Notice of Intention to designate the property known as 800 King Street Eastas being of
cultural heritage value orinterest.
Location Map: 800 King Street East
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BACKGROUND:
The subject property known as First Mennonite Church Cemetery is municipally addressed as
800 King Street East. The 2.07-hectare(5.11-acre) parcel of land is located on the north side of
King Street East between Dane Street and Stirling Avenue North. It contains a two-storey early
th
20century church building, and a cemetery with graves dating to Kitchener’s earliest
settlement. The principal resource that contributes to itsheritage value is the cemeteryand its
markers.
Subject propertyviewed from King Street
Heritage Kitchener Inventory, Municipal Heritage Register, Cultural Heritage Landscape Study
800 King Street Eastwas part of the Heritage Kitchener Inventory of Historic Buildings and
formally “listed” on the Municipal Heritage Register on February1, 2010. The Statement of
Significance developed at that time is attached as Appendix ‘A’.The First Mennonite Church
Cemeterywas most recently identified as aCultural Heritage Landscape.
Two other cemeteries have been designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Actby the
City of Kitchener – Bridgeport Memorial &Free Church Cemetery, and Strasburg Lutheran
PioneerCemetery.Thesetwo cemeteries plus four others have also been identified as Cultural
Heritage Landscapes – Doon Presbyterian Church & Biehn-Kinzie Family Cemeteries, Mount
Hope Cemetery, St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery, and Woodland Cemetery.
First Mennonite Church has had discussionswith Heritage Planning staff about the pros and
cons of designation, and has formally requestedthe property be designated under Part IV of the
Ontario Heritage Act.
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Joseph and Barbara Schneider grave markers (Plot 2,Row C, Graves 10 & 11)
REPORT:
Identifying and protecting cultural heritage resources within our City is an important part of
planning for our future, and of helping to guide change while conserving the buildings, structures
and landscapes that give Kitchenerits unique identity. Municipalities playa critical role in the
conservation of cultural heritage resources. The designation of property under the Ontario
Heritage Actis the main tool that municipalities haveto provide long-term protection of cultural
heritage resources for future generations. Designation recognizes the importance of a property
to the local community; protects the property’s cultural heritage value; encourages good
stewardship and conservation; and, promotes knowledge and understanding about the property.
Designation not only publicly recognizes and promotes awareness, it also provides a process
for ensuring that changes to a property are appropriately managed and that these changes
respect the property’s cultural heritage value orinterest.
The property owner,First Mennonite Church, has requestedHeritage Planning staff initiate the
process to designate 800 King Street East under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Actas a means of
formally recognizing its significance in the community.
800 King Street East is recognized for its design, physical, historical, associative, and
contextual, values. The design orphysical values relate to the cemetery markersand their
historic locations. The Cemetery contains the strongest concentration of folk-decorated
Pennsylvania-German markers in Ontario, many of which display a high degree of
craftsmanship and artistic merit. The earliest existing markers are made of sandstone and many
feature folkart motifs. White quartzite began to replace sandstone between 1846 and World
War I, while grey and red granite replaced quartzite following the Great War.
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The historic orassociative values of the Cemetery relate to its
direct associations to Bishop Benjamin Eby and the early
Mennonite church in the region; both are significant to, and
yield information that contributes to an understanding of,the
community. The cemetery location was established in 1808. In
1810, the first half acre of land was reserved for cemetery and
church uses; land accumulation continued until 1933. As the
principal burying ground for the first two generations of
pioneers, the cemetery also accommodated non-Mennonite
settlers who were buried here until the 1840s when church
cemeteries of otherdenominations were established.Bishop
Benjamin Eby served hischurch and community for 44 years
and is buried here. The names of many other early and
influential settlers can befound inscribed on its markers.
The contextual value of the First Mennonite Church Cemetery
relates it being functionally, visually and historically linked to its
surroundings.
The complete Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
including a list of Heritage Attributes, attached as Appendix ‘B’,
Grave marker of
will become part of the DesignationBy-law.
Bishop Benjamin Eby
(Plot 1, Row K, Grave 8)
Heritage Permits
The operation and management of cemeteries in Ontario falls
under the Cemeteries Act. If a cemetery is also designated under the Ontario Heritage Act, most
day-to-day activities, including new burials, generally speaking, would not require Heritage
Permits from themunicipality. As with other kinds of designated properties, a Heritage Permit
would be required if an activity or alteration is to be made that would affect the heritage
attributes outlined in the designation, such as, in this case, therepair, removal or replication of a
markeror a change to the general layout.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The recommendation of this report supports the achievement of the City’s strategic vision
through the delivery of core service.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
N/A
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM, CONSULT AND COLLABORATE – Heritage Planning staff have consulted with the
property ownersregarding designation under the Ontario Heritage Act. The ownershave
confirmed support for designation. Section 29(2) of the Ontario Heritage Actrequires Council to
consult with the Municipal Heritage Committee (Heritage Kitchener) beforegiving notice of its
intention to designate a property. Heritage Kitchener will be consulted via circulation and
consideration of this report. Members of the community will be informed via circulation of this
report to Heritage Kitchener and via formal consideration by Council. In addition, should Council
choose to give notice of its intention to designate, such notice will be served on the property
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owner and the Ontario Heritage Trust, and published in a newspaper having general circulation
in the municipality(The Record). Once notice has been served, the owner has theright of
objection throughthe Conservation Review Board.
REVIEWED BY:
Leon Bensason, Coordinator, Cultural Heritage Planning
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Alain Pinard, Director of Planning
APPENDIX A:
Statement of Significance
APPENDIX B:
Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
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APPENDIX ‘A’: STATEMENTS OF SIGNIFICANCE
Statement of Significance
800 King Street East
Municipal Address:
800 KingStreet East, Kitchener
Legal Description:
GCT Sub of Lot 1 Lot 18 Sub of Lot 2
Lot 18 Part Lot 19
Year Built:
1902
Architectural Style:
Unknown
Original Owner
:
First Mennonite Church
Original Use
:Institutional
Condition
:Good
Description of Historic Place
th
century building.The buildingis situated
800 King Street Eastisatwostoreyearly 20
on a 5.11acre parcel of land located on the northsideof KingStreet Eastbetween
Dane Streetand Stirling Avenue North in the King EastPlanning Communityof the City
of Kitchener within the Region of Waterloo. The principal resource that contributes to
the heritage value isthe church cemetery.
Heritage Value
800 King Street East is recognized for itsdesign, physical,historical and associative
values.
The design and physical valuesrelate tothe cemetery markers. The cemetery contains
the strongest concentration of folk-decorated Pennsylvania-German markers in Ontario.
The earliest markers are made of sandstone and feature folk art motifs such as fraktur
lettering, embroidered textiles, the tulip, the tree of life, the heart, the eye. White
quartzite began to replace sandstone between 1840 and the World War I while grey
and red granite replaced white quartzitefollowing World War I. Both the sandstone and
quartzite stones are deteriorating. The sandstone markers often originated from the
Whirlpool formation in the Georgetown area of Ontario. The sandstone was sawn into
shape for use in Waterloo County with a basic rectangular slab form with one or more
hemispherical or convex arches. The sandstone markers were originally cream or rust
but have now weathered to a dark grey.
The historic and associative values relate to Bishop Benjamin Eby and the First
Mennonite Church. The cemetery location was established in 1808 upon the accidental
death and subsequent burial of Samuel Smith’s son George. In 1813, services of the
First Mennonite Church were held in a log school house. On February 15, 1816 the first
deed was drawn up for the church property between Joseph and Elizabeth Eby and
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APPENDIX ‘A’: STATEMENTS OF SIGNIFICANCE
Jacob and Mary Shantz, of the first part, and “the Elders of the Menonist(sic) Society”
John Gresman (Cressman) and Jacob Snyder (Schneider), of the second part, “and
their Successors in the said Society of Block number two.” The conveyers sold to the
church one acress in lot 1 for the sum of $10. Included in the deed was the half acre
reserved by Joseph Eby in 1810, so that the entire deed reads for one-and-one-half
acres. On October 17, 1816 a second deed was drawn up with the conveyers being
Benjamin Eby and Samuel Eshelman who give ¾ of an acre to the same trustees, “and
their Successors in the said Eldership of Waterloo Township.” The log worship facilityis
replaced in 1834 with a white frame meeting house. On June 28, 1853 Bishop Benjamin
Eby passed away at the age of 68. The demand for a village cemetery arose in 1860 as
a result of an outbreak of small pox. The white frame meeting house is replaced in 1902
with a white brick church. The church property acquired one acre of land from the City
of Berlin in 1914 for cemetery purposes. Another 0.42 acres of land were purchased in
1933 bringing the church and cemetery property to 5.75 acres.
Some of the names of those buried in the cemetery include: Elizabeth Eby, Samuel
Clemens, Veronica Eby, Heinrich Schuh, Hanna Schantz, Maria Bauman, Hiram
Thomas, Henrich Kolb, and, Elisa Eby.
A Provincial Plaque located on the property was erected by the Ontario Archaeological
and Historic Sites Board for Bishop Benjamin Eby, 1785-1853.
Heritage Attributes
The heritage value of 800 KingStreet Eastresides in the following heritage attributes:
All elements related to the cemetery, including:
Sandstone markers;
o
Quartzite markers; and,
o
Granite markers.
o
Photos
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APPENDIX ‘A’: STATEMENTS OF SIGNIFICANCE
800 KingStreet East–Provincial Plaque
800 King Street East
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APPENDIX ‘A’: STATEMENTS OF SIGNIFICANCE
800 King Street East
800 King Street East
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APPENDIX ‘B’
Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
Description of the Property
The subject property known as First Mennonite Church Cemetery is municipally addressed as
800 King Street East. The 2.07-hectare(5.11-acre) parcel of land is located on the north side of
King Street East between Dane Street and Stirling Avenue North. It contains a two-storey early
th
20century church building,and a cemetery with graves dating to Kitchener’s earliest
settlement. The principal resource that contributes to itsheritage value is the cemeteryand its
markers.
Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
First Mennonite Church Cemetery is recognized for its design, physical, historical, associative,
andcontextual values.
The design orphysical values relate to the cemetery markersand their historic locations.The
First Mennonite Church Cemetery contains the strongest concentration of folk-decorated
Pennsylvania-German markers in Ontario, many of which display a high degree of
craftsmanship and artistic merit. The earliest existing markersare made of sandstone and many
feature folk art motifs such as Fraktur letteringand images, such as tulip, tree of life, and willow,
or embroidered textiles.Quarried from the Whirlpool formation in the Georgetown area of
Ontario, the sandstone was sawn into a basic rectangular slab, often surmounted byone or
more hemispherical lobes or convexarches, for engraving in Waterloo County. White quartzite
began to replace sandstone between 1846 and World War I, while grey and red granite
replaced quartzite following the Great War.Many quartzite markers employ traditional Victorian
symbolism, such as lamb, gesturing hands, and rose.Both the sandstone and quartzite markers
are deteriorating.
The historic orassociative values of the First Mennonite Church Cemetery relatetoits direct
associations to Bishop Benjamin Eby and the early Mennonite churchin the region; both are
significant to, and yield information that contributes to an understanding of,the community. The
cemetery location was established in 1808 with the firstburial of Samuel Smith’s son, George.
In 1810, the first half acre of land was reserved for cemetery and church uses; land
accumulation continued until1933.As the principal burying ground for the first two generations
of pioneers, the cemetery also accommodated non-Mennonite settlers who were buried here
until the 1840s when church cemeteries of other denominations were established. Known as
Benjamin Eby’s Meeting House, a log church was constructedin 1813; it was the first to be built
for public worship services in what was to become Waterloo County. A white frame structure
replaced it in 1834.The present white brick church was built in 1902, with many additions since.
The name First Mennonite Church Cemetery was established in 1918.
Pioneer settler, farmer, Mennonite minister, educator and author, Bishop Benjamin Eby (1785-
1853) served hischurch and community for 44 years and is buried here (Plot 1, Row K, Grave
8).The names of many other early and influential settlers can be found inscribed on its markers,
including,Bechtel, Brubacher, Clemens,Cressman, Erb, Gaukel,Schneider, and Weber.
The contextual value of the First Mennonite Church Cemetery relates to it beingfunctionally,
visually and historically linked to its surroundings. Although its physical context has changedas
the cemetery has been surrounded by the modern City of Kitchener, this once rural burial
ground bordered by farmlandis the last resting place for those pioneers and settlers who
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APPENDIX ‘B’
cleared the land and made it ready for development. It is a functioning cemetery with many plots
still available.
Description of the Heritage Attributes
Key heritage attributes that embody the design orphysical valuesof the First Mennonite Church
Cemetery as a very significant pioneer cemetery in Kitchener include:
allelements related to the cemetery, includingthe:
original and replicated sandstone, quartzite and granite markerswith their surviving
inscriptions;
variety of styles, materials and symbolism on the markers, from pioneer Pennsylvania-
German to Victorian to modern;
original location, orientation and dimensions of markers; and
original plan and placement of gravesites and markers.
Key heritage attributes that embody the contextual value of the First Mennonite Church
Cemetery in Kitchener includethe:
location on King Street East.
References
Drake, Michelle (20 November 2009). 800 King Street East Statement of Significance.
Kitchener, Ontario.
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