Notice of Intention to Designate a Property of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest Under the Provisions of Section 29, Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990 as Amended
Take Notice that the Council of the Corporation of the Township of King intends to designate lands and premises described as Lot 26 of Plan 87 in the Village of Schomberg, and municipally known as 7 Church Street, in the Township of King, in the Regional Municipality of York, Province of Ontario, as a property of cultural heritage value or interest under Part IV, S. 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990.
Description of Property
Located on the south side of Church Street, west of Main Street, the property is known municipally as 7 Church Street, in the Village of Schomberg, Township of King, and is approximately 0.14 hectares in area.
Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
The Garrett Brown Banking House at 7 Church Street is worthy of designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act for its cultural heritage value as described in the following Statement of Cultural Heritage Value. It meets the necessary criteria prescribed by the Province of Ontario under the three categories of historical value, design or physical value, and contextual value.
Historical/Associative Value
The Garrett Brown Banking House at 7 Church Street has historical and associative value for its direct association with early settlement patterns and commercial development in the Village of Schomberg. The subject property is historically associated with Garrett Brown, a prominent early settler, landholder, and businessman, and with the establishment of the first banking operation in the Village, which was operated from within the dwelling itself.
The subject property also has historical and associative value for its ability to illustrate the integration of both domestic and commercial functions typical of small rural villages during the mid-to-late-19th century. Its use as both a private residence and a place of business provides insight into early local economic activity, informal financial institutions, and the role of individual entrepreneurs in supporting village growth and infrastructure.
The property also has the potential yield information about the social and economic development of Schomberg through its layered use and physical form, including the operation of a private banking business within a residential structure. This dual function reflects broader settlement and land-use patterns in early Ontario village where professional commercial and residential activities frequently coexisted within a single building, contributing to the emergence of Schomberg as a rural service centre.
Design/Physical Value
Dating to circa 1860, the Garrett Brown Banking House at 7 Church Street has design and physical value as a well-preserved and representative early example of a vernacular two-storey brick dwelling with Gothic Revival influences. Its side-hall plan, steeply pitched central gable, rear wing, and decorative bargeboard trim reflect the architectural vocabulary commonly employed in substantial mid-to-late 19th-century rural village residences.
The use of red brick together with a deliberate distinction between the Flemish bond pattern on the principal elevation and the common bond pattern on the remaining elevation demonstrates a conscious emphasis on the building’s principal façade and public presence.
Architectural details such as brick voussoirs, transom lights, sidelights, and surviving French doors associated with the former wrap-around verandah further contribute to the building’s craftsmanship and legibility. Collectively, these characteristics make the Garett Brown Banking House a clear and intact example of its building type, illustrating both domestic architectural traditions and the elevated status of its original owner within the Village of Schomberg.
Contextual Value
The Garrett Brown Banking House at 7 Church Street holds strong contextual value within the historic village core of Schomberg. As the residence and place of business of Garrett Brown, a prominent early settler and businessman, the property reflects the close relationship between domestic life and local commerce that characterized small rural villages during the 19th century. Its historic use as the location of the village’s first banking operation reinforces its role as an important contributor to the early economic and social life of Schomberg.
The building is important in defining and maintaining the historic character of Church Street and the surrounding village core. Its scale, massing, orientation, and vernacular architectural expression with Gothic Revival influences are consistent with the fine-grained late-19th-century streetscape that characterizes Schomberg. The dwelling’s prominent form and elevated architectural detailing reflect its historic status within the community and contribute to the legibility of the village’s historic development pattern.
The property is physically, visually, historically, and functionally linked to its surroundings. Its placement along Church Street, in proximity to other historic residential and commercial buildings along Church Street and Main Street, reflects traditional patterns of settlement and mixed residential-commercial activity within the village core. These relationships remain legible and intact, allowing the Garrett Brown Banking House to continue to contribute meaningfully to the cohesive heritage character and identity of Schomberg.
Notice of Objection
Any person wishing to file a notice of objection to the designation must file such notice of objection together with a statement of reasons, with the Township Clerk of the municipality within 30 days (Monday, May 25, 2026 by 4:30 p.m.), after the date of publication of this notice on the Township of King website (www.king.ca). Further information respecting the proposed designation is available by contacting Michael Maugeri, Planner - Heritage & Development at 289-800-2574 or email at mmaugeri@king.ca.
Publication Date: Friday, April 24, 2026
Deadline for Objections: Monday, May 25, 2026 by 4:30 p.m.
Objections should be directed to:
Adam Foran
Deputy Clerk, Township of King
2585 King Road
King City, ON L7B 1A1
clerks@king.ca
Dated on this 24th day of April, 2026.