Sharon Temple

This elegant structure was another wonderful find, located in Sharon Ontario, known as the 'Sharon Temple'.  It was built by two master carpenters under the religious vision of David Willson between 1825-32.  Mr. Willson's plans were inspired by the biblical description of Solomon's Temple and the New Jerusalem.  The square design symbolized the egalitarian beliefs and cooperative principles of the sect called 'The Children of Peace'  

Once a month and on holidays there were celebrations of song and festivities in the temple.  Today there are still activities that continue including illumination of the Temple, art and music shows, fall lantern tours and Christmas time events.  

David Willson, the builder of the sect leader of the Children of Peace was born in New York city in 1773.  For some reason, he was disowned by the Society of Friends (known as the Quakers) so he set off to live hereabouts in East Gwillimbury.  His religious beliefs and principles had grown a small following which still maintained some of the code of ethics used by the Quakers, howeve
r there was much emphasis placed on music and education.

The Children of Peace were known as Davidites.  The sect of the Davidites subsided after the death of David Willson in 1866.  The last service performed in the Temple was twenty years later.  

The Temple and property were salvaged from demolition by the York Pioneer Historical Society in 1916.

Ontario Science Centre

It was a long time since I've been to the Ontario Science Centre, and since I never blogged it in the 'Things to Do Around Town' section of my blog, this cold and blustery fall afternoon seemed as good as a time as any.  As you enter the Science Centre you will be taken down a long hallway (known as 'The Bridge').  This was one of my favorite spots in

the Science Centre as a child because of the awesome views of nature out of the windows.

Today, the views are still there and just as awesome, as well as a long line of ancient rocks up to four billion years old (the actual rocks aren't that old, but tiny grains in them called zircons are.)  The earth is 4.5 billion years old.  You may wonder why the oldest rocks aren't that old too?  It turns out shortly after the Earth formed, in the violent early days of the solar system, it was hit by a Mars-sized planet and mostly liquified into lava again! The debris launched into space coalesced and became our Moon. It's mind-blowingly daunting and humbling that a human lifetime on this scale is a thousandth of a millimetre, much thinner than a coat of paint!