Wellesley Township Heritage & Historical Society
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Picture

Crosshill

Anglicans, Presbyterians and Methodists were among the majority of the settlers in the Corsshil area. The Anglicans and Presbyterians built churches in Crosshill while the Methodists occupied a building near Rushes Cemetery south of the village. All three denominations shared Rushes for burials.

William and David Hastings and Hugh Hutchison were among the first to settle in Crosshill.

Wellesley Township's first hall was in Hawkesville. In the spring of 1853, it was decided to auction this hall and build
a new one at Crosshill, the geographic centre of the Township. The census of 1851 indicates the existence of a township hall on Hugh Hutchison's Crossbill property. 

There was some controversy, as many people felt a new hall was unnecessary. The old one remained unsold for some
time. Over the years It was used as a community hall and even a church where some congregations met.  In 1973 an addition to the township hall, supported by the newly-founded Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation,
was extended in stone to match the original building.The Township Hall in Crosshill now serves as Wellesley Township’s Council Chambers. It is the oldest municipal building still being used by a Waterloo Region municipal council. 

James Boyd served the Presbyterians of Wellesley Township, ministering to both their spiritual and medical needs, having received medical training for missionary work with none other than classmate Dr. David Livingstone of Africa fame.