Check here for upcoming events at Detweiler

History

The historic Detweiler Meetinghouse created in 1855, located one kilometer straight west of Roseville is the only surviving stone meetinghouse built by Mennonite pioneers in Ontario. This was a time when love for God was evident in the love and respect for one's own family, and neighbour while caring for the land.

Mennonite pioneers began to settle Dumfries Township in 1822. A Mennonite farmer named Jacob Rosenberger is credited for giving his name to the nearby village of Roseville. He, his wife, and two children died in the cholera epidemic of 1834.

Jacob F. Detweiler was already ordained as a minister when he came to the Roseville area in 1822. Jacob H. Detweiler, possibly a third cousin of Jacob F., who was an ordained deacon in Pennsylvania, also came to the Roseville area at that time.

Prior to 1830 the congregation met in homes for worship. In that year Samuel Snyder conveyed an acre of his land to three trustees for the Mennonite congregation for a church, school and cemetery, and the log building would have been erected here about this time at this location.

The present meetinghouse was built in 1855, and was dedicated on December 2. As was the custom of the time, services were not held in the meetinghouse every Sunday. On “off” Sundays local families would either travel to a nearby meetinghouse where services were being held – such as Blenheim, or would use the day for visiting friends and relatives.

The last service was held in the building in early 1966. In 1992 a board was put in place to restore and preserve the meetinghouse as it appeared in the second half of the 19th century. The restored meetinghouse was dedicated September 26, 1999.

Tours can be arranged to this historic site. See contact us for phone and email information.

The Detweiler Meetinghouse thus provides an ideal historic setting for special events like: Weddings Bus Tours Family Reunions Society Meetings Anniversaries Funerals (See contact us for further information on arranging an event for the meetinghouse, or to obtain more information on the cemetery.) Historical Design features of this meeting place setting include: the 150 year old warm pine floor and furnishings original antique window glass, channeling in natural sunlight 2 foot thick granite field stone walls built by the pioneer farmers granite fieldstone from nearby farm fields

• June 3, 2012. Sixth Annual Harmonia Sacra Shaped Note Singing. 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Song books will be provided.
• June 24, 2012, 3:00-4:30 p.m. Toil and Grace: an afternoon of music and poetry. Journey from church to barnyard with Cheryl Denise's plainspoken and often humorous poetry. No Discernible Key will provide a mix of acoustic Canadian folk music and  gospel tunes for good measure. (Band members include Fred W. Martin, Dave Neufeld, Jim Bender and Dwight Steinman.) Free and open to the public, refreshments served.
• July 22, 2012. Men's Chorus Gospel Sing. Welcome to all former male quartet or chorus and want-to-be-members. We will be singing the old gospel songs and anthems of yesteryear. Music will be provided.
• August 12, 2012. Third Annual Sing the Journey/Sing the Story Singing. 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Sing more contemporary and international Mennonite music! Led by Mark Diller Harder.
• August 25, 2012 (Saturday). It's the 9th Annual Central Ontario All Day Sacred Harp Singing with midday dinner on the grounds. The event runs from 9:30-3:30. It is a traditional all-day singing, from the 1991 edition of The Sacred Harp. Loaner books are available. Bring food to share (no warming facilities available). For more information about shape-note singing, see Sacred Harp Singing (under annual sacred harp singings). For information about this event, contact Gillian Inksetter at gillian@inksetter.com.
• October 14, 2012 Ninth Annual Gospel Vespers, with focus on the Life Songs II, led by Robert Shantz. Opportunity to sing your favorite hymns. A Free will offering to support upkeep of the meetinghouse will be taken. Annually, the Sunday after Thanksgiving.
• November 25, 2012. Advent Acoustics. Enjoy and sing an eclectic mix of familiar and recently discovered Christmas tunes in the folk and shaped note tradition. From old arrangements of popular carols to seldom sung traditional songs, these seasoned tunes will be performed and led by local musicians from NDK (No Discernible Key) and the PMS trio (Peggy, Mush and Sandy).
• Your wedding or other family milestone celebration.