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Reverend Thomas Henderson House

22, Church Street, County of Brant, Ontario, N3L, Canada

Formally Recognized: 1984/08/28

Of note are the 4 over 4 windows and Eastlake style porch.; Kayla Jonas, 2007.
East Façade, 22 Church Street, 2007
Of note is the rear elevation's fieldstone construction.; Kayla Jonas, 2007.
South and West Elevations, 22 Church Street, 2007
Featured is the cobblestone construction on the south elevation.; Kayla Jonas, 2007.
Detailed View, 22 Church Street, 2007

Other Name(s)

Reverend Thomas Henderson House
22 Church Street

Links and documents

Construction Date(s)

1842/01/01 to 1845/01/01

Listed on the Canadian Register: 2008/09/11

Statement of Significance

Description of Historic Place

The Reverend Thomas Henderson House, located at 22 Church Street, is situated on the north side of Church Street between King and Elgin Streets, in the former Town of Paris, now the County of Brant. The property consists of a two-storey cobblestone building, that was constructed between 1842 and 1845.

The property was designated, by the former Town of Paris, in 1984, for its architectural and/or historic value or interest, under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act (By-law 2569).

Heritage Value

The Reverend Thomas Henderson House was home to Baptist Minister and School Inspector, Thomas Peter Henderson. The Reverend was a close family friend of Alexander Graham Bell, and in 1870, the Bell family stayed at the Henderson house for several months, while their home at 94 Tutela Heights Road (now the Bell Homestead National Historic Site) was under construction. Henderson continued to be involved with the Bell family and later became the first General Agent for the telephone business in Canada.

The Reverend Thomas Henderson House is one of the finest examples of cobblestone construction, in the former Town of Paris. The façade and side elevations are constructed of cobblestone, while the rear elevation is of fieldstone construction. Typical of the Regency style, this building features a low hip roof with wide wood banding, under the eaves. The central entranceway is coved by an Eastlake style porch, which appears to be a latter addition. The 4 over 4 windows are accented by their original shutters.

The house is believed to have been built by Levi Boughton, a master mason. Boughton emigrated from Albany in upper New York State, bringing with him the cobblestone building technique, which was employed in the construction of this home. He is attributed with building the unique cluster of cobblestone buildings in and around the former Town of Paris.

Source: Town of Paris, By-Law 2569.

Character-Defining Elements

Character defining elements that contribute to the heritage value of the Reverend Thomas Henderson House include its:
- cobblestone construction, which in Paris indicates Levi Boughton was its builder
- cobblestone façade and side elevations, and fieldstone rear elevation
- 4 over 4 windows on the façade including original louvered shutters
- hip roof including wide wood banding under the eaves
- wide eave returns
- Eastlake style porch including turned posts, square wooden supports and ornate brackets
- rear dormer windows

Recognition

Jurisdiction

Ontario

Recognition Authority

Local Governments (ON)

Recognition Statute

Ontario Heritage Act

Recognition Type

Municipal Heritage Designation (Part IV)

Recognition Date

1984/08/28

Historical Information

Significant Date(s)

1984/01/01 to 1984/01/01

Theme - Category and Type

Expressing Intellectual and Cultural Life
Architecture and Design

Function - Category and Type

Current

Historic

Residence
Single Dwelling

Architect / Designer

n/a

Builder

Levi Boughton

Additional Information

Location of Supporting Documentation

County of Brant Community and Development Services 66 Grand River Street North Paris, ON N3L 2M2

Cross-Reference to Collection

Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier

HPON07-0325

Status

Published

Related Places

n/a

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