West Church memorial dedication Sept. 7
Members of the committee struck to erect a memorial to the West Nottawasaga Presbyterian Church wanted more than just a monument — they wanted to find a way to keep the site in use. For more than 170 years, a church stood on Country Road 33, west of County Road 124, overlooking the Pretty River Valley. The last church building on the site was demolished in 2022.
The committee, with the help of architect Jim Campbell of Rockside Campbell Design, settled on a plan with 12 stone slabs to simulate the pews in the old church, walls of elm trees to delineate the space, a rustic metal pulpit engraved with the history of the church, and a large boulder occupying the pulpit to represent the presence of the deity.
“We’re imagining that this will become a place for gathering, meditation and worship,” says Campbell.
The committee raised nearly $20,000 for the project, with donations coming from as far afield as British Columbia and Scotland. Together with proceeds from architectural salvage from the old church and generous donations of materials and labour, they funded construction of the monument.
The original West Church was built sometime prior to 1853. While no photographs exist, it is believed the structure was probably built of timber or logs. That building was destroyed by fire in 1865 and rebuilt as a Gothic Revival brick structure with a tall steeple, visible for miles. Lightning struck the second church in 1946, and the building was reduced to ashes. The third West Church was dedicated in October 1949 and remained in regular use until 1989.
Along the way, West Church was amalgamated with churches in Duntroon and Nottawa to form the Three Point Duntroon Pastoral Charge. Then in 1988, the three churches formally joined to become Emmanuel Presbyterian Church.
The church buildings in Nottawa and Duntroon were sold, but that wasn’t an option for West Nottawa, given that it was located within an active cemetery with no well, septic system or parking. Special anniversary services were held until 2019, when it was decided the building should be removed due to safety concerns.
Members of the committee have deep ties to West Church. Lorna Hockley and Rae Hockley were married there, as was Linda McNicholl. Don Currie’s father was chair of the building committee for the third church, erected in 1948. Headstones in the surrounding cemetery bear the names of many early settlers in the area.
A grand opening and dedication service is planned for Sept. 7 at 2 p.m. Committee members look forward to welcoming both current residents and those with historical ties to the community.
The Township of Clearview assumed control of the West Church Cemetery in April 2025 and will continue to offer interments at the site.
