Summary

The Second Onondaga Baptist Church was first constructed in 1854 by members of the Baptist community and using timber from Elder Hooper’s woods. Elder Hooper, who immigrated from England to Canada in 1838, would go on to serve as the church’s first minister¹. The building is a testament to the faith and support of the local Baptist community. Built on William Mulligan’s farm, the building and cemetery were later officially presented to the church by his brother, Robert Mulligan³.

Members of the Baptist Church at the time of construction were as follows: Elder Wm. Hooper, Christina Hooper, Elizabeth Hooper, David Jones, Elizabeth Jones, John Hicks, Harriet Hicks, Jane Boylan, Ann Elizabeth Creighton, Frederick Ricker, Eleanor Ricker, Catharine Ricker, John Cowie, Isabella Cowie, Mary Hooper, John Peddie (now the Rev. Dr. Peddie), John McConichie, Catherine Mulligan, Margaret Mulligan, Richard Mulligan and Robert Mulligan¹.

Timeline

Pre-1854 – Congregation Meet in Mulligan Schoolhouse

The congregation of the Second Baptist Church meet in the Mulligan Schoolhouse or the homes of various members of the congregation¹

1854 – Elder Hooper Succeeds in Building a Chapel

Elder Hooper succeeds in building a chapel for regular worship on land belonging to the farm of William Mulligan¹

1857 – The Second Baptist Congregation Becomes an Established Church

On the 13th of June a meeting is called for the organization of the society and on July 1st they become an established church¹

1858 – Robert Mulligan Assigns 50 Acres to James H. [Hottingdon?]

James H. [Hottingdon?] is assigned 50 acres of land in the undivided half of the lot by Robert Mulligan on March 29th in fulfilment of his debts³

1858 – Robert Mulligan is Granted Mortgage

On June 28th Robert Mulligan, Richard Mulligan, James [Hottingdon?], Thomas [Hottingdon?], William Mulligan and James Mulligan are granted a mortgage for 451.69 pounds by William F. Kendall for 100 acres in the south half of the lot³

1862 – Robert Mulligan Gains Land Patent From the Crown

A land patent is granted by the Crown for 50 acres in the south half of the south half of the lot to Robert Mulligan on January 7th³

1862 – Robert Mulligan Receives 50 Acres in an Indenture

Robert Mulligan receives 50 acres of land in the undivided half of the lot from James H. [Hottingdon?] on April 5th³

1868 – John Hicks Purchases 50 Acres

John Hicks purchases 50 acres of land in the south half of the south half of the lot from Robert Mulligan on March 16th³

1868 – The Trustees of the Second Baptist Church are Granted a Half Acre of Land

John Hicks grants half an acre of land in the south east corner of the lot to the Trustees of the Second Baptist Church on July 10th³

1868 – William Mulligan Purchases 50 Acres

William Mulligan purchases 50 acres of land in the south half of the lot from John Hicks on July 11th. The land is then subdivided between brothers William and Robert Mulligan³

1884 – Robert Mulligan Purchases 75 Acres

Robert Mulligan purchases 75 acres of land, three quarters of the south half of the lot, for $4000³

1884 – Robert Mulligan is Granted Mortgage

Robert Mulligan is granted a mortgage for $3600 by John Douglas for three quarters of the south half of the lot. It is released on an unknown date in the same year³

1884 – The Trustees of the Second Baptist Church Lease 2750 Square Feet of Land

The Trustees of the Second Baptist Church lease 2750 square feet of land from Robert Mulligan³

1890 – Thomas Mulligan Purchases 25 Acres

Thomas Mulligan purchases 25 acres, one quarter of the south half of the lot, from Robert Mulligan for $1200 on May 3rd³

1896 – John Deagle Purchases Three Quarters of Lot

John Deagle purchases three quarters of the south half of the lot from Robert Mulligan for $4000 on November 25th³

1899 – The Trustees of the Second Baptist Church Purchase 5/8 of Land

The Trustees of the Second Baptist Church purchase 5/8 of land in the south half of the lot by Thomas Mulligan for $35 on September 2nd³

1905 – Alexander Hager Purchases 25 Acres

Alexander Hager purchases 25 acres of land, the south quarter of the south half of the lot, from Thomas Mulligan for $825 on April 1st³

1929 – The Trustees of the Second Baptist Church Purchase Land

The Trustees of the Second Baptist Church purchase part of the south half of the lot from Alexander Hager for $1.00 on December 18th³

Architectural Features

This clapboard-sided church was constructed by the Baptist community in 1854¹ on land presented to the church by Robert Mulligan. Much of the timber came from the woods of Elder Hooper, who became the church’s first minister². The church is a single-storey building with a rectangular plan and rear wing addition and a squared rubble stone foundation. The roof is a low gable with verges projecting frieze raking with returns. The main door is centered in the gable façade. It features a semi-circular opening with moulded trim and a flush fan architrave transom. The door itself is a double leaf with a single panel. The front façade features two glass six-by-two block windows with semi-circular openings and arched transoms. Both sides possess similar six-by-three block windows with semi-circular openings. The back façade addition has two four-by-three block windows. Both the windows and door have black painted moulded detailing and frames.

Notes

1. Reville, F. Douglas, History of the County of Brant, 1920.
2. Brant County Records, retrieved August 2018.
3. Land Registry, August 2018.

References

• Reville, F. Douglas. (1920.) History of the County of Brant. Brantford, ON. Brant Historical Society.
• Brant County Records. (August 2018.)
• Land Registry. (August 2018.)