North Mountain Meeting House Receives Provincial Heritage Designation

The North Mountain Meeting House in Clarence has officially been designated a Provincial Heritage Property, marking an important milestone in the preservation of one of the community’s most significant historic buildings.

The designation was celebrated on September 25, 2026, with the unveiling of the provincial heritage plaque by MLA David Bowlby and Community of Clarence Steward Avery Jackson. Community members and guests gathered to recognize both the building and the generations of people who have cared for it.

The site has served the Clarence community since 1765, when the original North Mountain Meeting House was established. The present building was constructed in 1853 and later received Municipal Heritage designation in 2014. Speakers at the ceremony reflected on the Meeting House’s long connection to Clarence and the importance of preserving not only its architecture, but also the stories and community traditions associated with it.

Jackson spoke about the Italian idea of campanilismo—a sense of belonging to the community whose bell tower and bells define one’s local world. For generations, the Meeting House bell has carried across North Mountain, becoming part of the landscape and identity of Clarence.

Following the plaque unveiling, guests gathered for the opening of Just North of Paradise: An Exhibition on the Nature of Things in the Meeting House vestry. The exhibition brings together paintings by local artist Janice Leonard with the wood carvings and writings of the late Eugene “Bud” Hamm (1919–2009), celebrating the landscapes, people and character of the area.

The provincial designation recognizes more than 170 years of the present Meeting House and more than 260 years of community history associated with the site—a legacy the Community of Clarence is proud to continue preserving for future generations.

Images Provided by Aleen Stanton - Heritage Property Program