This cache has been placed as part of an initiative by the County of Peterborough, its member municipalities, the City of Peterborough and local First Nation communities to celebrate Canada 150+. There are 23 geocaches placed throughout the region showcasing local history.
The geocoin stock has now been exhausted. Please continue to enjoy exploring local history through other geocaches within the Canada 150+ collection.
GC Codes full list: GC74A7F - Payne Murders & First Execution, GC74A76 - Victoria Museum at "Inverlea", GC72PWE - Memengweshii, GC72PWP - Historic Curve Lake Village, GC72PX1 - Old Rail Road Stop, GC72PXA - Hiawatha Church, GC72VFW - Sucker Hunt at "Welbeck", GC74A7Q - Richard Birdsall, GC74A7V - John Deyell, GC74A7Y - Cavan Blazers & Paddy Maguire, GC72VG3 - Balm for her Wounded Heart, GC72VGA - Sedgwick Lime Kiln Park, GC72WDJ - Nepheline Syenite A Global Lustre, GC75D68 - Havelock Public School, GC72WDT - The Brush Factory, GC72VGJ - Sam Edgar Crypt, GC72VGQ - Nelson Brawl at the Keene Hotel, GC75D6H - Lang Grist Mill, GC72VGW - Catharine Parr Traill, GC72WDZ - The Pope Stallion, GC75D5Q - Adam & Eve Rocks, GC74A8B - Going to School on the Oregon Trail.
Hiawatha began its relationship with the Methodist church in 1826 when word arrived that their Anishinaabeg relatives in the Bay of Quinte area had adopted this additional spiritual outlook. Hiawatha sent 20 members to attend an annual Methodist conference that was being held in Cobourg, one of whom was Chief George Paudash. All that attended this meeting were baptized by Dr. Nathan Bangs as they were so moved by what they heard. The speed at which Hiawatha accepted Methodism into their belief system is often remarked, both at the time and by recent scholars.
The first instance of a church was built in January of 1827 when a “bush chapel” was formed by digging away the snow and forming an embankment. A circle of poles were stuck in the ground all around it which was covered with bark and hemlock boughs. A fire was made in the center.
When it was time to build the church in Hiawatha, a 40’ x 30’ building was constructed in the place it is currently. Not much is known about the church that was built, including the year it was completed, except that is was no doubt constructed from wood and needed constant repair. In the 1860’s it became obvious that the church was going to need to be replaced, so many fundraising events took place over the next few years to raise money for the construction. The community raised money through the sale of timber, craft bazaars, and lectures by local author George Copway, enabling the completion in February 1871.
The church, originally Methodist, later combined with other protestant denominations to become Hiawatha United Church. It is still a central part of the community today, not just for church services, but for large meetings, celebrations and funerals.
Source:
Shpuniarsky, Heather Y. and The Village of Hiawatha Book Committee. 2016. "The Village of Hiawatha: A History". pp. 22-29.