Ontario Trillium Foundation grants totalling $176,900 support church restoration and historic schoolhouse improvements in Wesleyville Village
MPP David Piccini joined the Friends of Wesleyville Village (FOWV) on Sunday to celebrate the grand reopening of the fire-damaged Wesleyville Village church and recognize the progress made in preserving this important piece of local heritage. The celebration marked a significant milestone for the volunteer-led organization, supported by two Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) Capital grants totalling $176,900 in 2025 and 2026.
MPP Piccini also served as auctioneer for the return of the popular Celebrity Bake Auction, which brought local personalities together to help raise funds in support of the village.
“Wesleyville Village is an important part of our local heritage, and these investments are helping preserve it for future generations,” said David Piccini, MPP, Northumberland-Peterborough South. “By supporting Friends of Wesleyville Village in their efforts to restore the church and improve the historic schoolhouse, we are helping bring back an important piece of history to life.”
In 2025, FOWV received the first Capital grant of $154,400 over one year to help it restore the interior of the fire-damaged Wesleyville church, which involved work on the building’s floors, walls and ceilings, and which would ultimately enable the space to reopen for the community. The improvements have allowed FOWV to regain the church’s occupancy permit, an important step toward returning the building to vibrant community use.
And then this past summer, FOWV received an additional six-month, $22,500 Capital grant that’s supported improvements to Wesleyville Village’s 1899 schoolhouse, including repairs to the entry stairs and interior heaters.
“The significance of these Ontario Trillium Foundation grants cannot be overstated,” said Sue Stickley, Chairperson of the Friends of Wesleyville Village. “These grants have made year-round community use of Wesleyville Village possible. By reopening the beloved fire-damaged Wesleyville church and improving access to the 1899 village schoolhouse, an important milestone in our mission to conserve this heritage village to serve community needs has been met.”
The reopening was a chance for area residents and visitors alike to see the progress that’s been made firsthand, explore the village’s heritage buildings and grounds, and learn more about plans for the site’s future. The always popular Celebrity Bake Auction, with local personalities and candidates contributing homemade treats to help raise funds for the village, was also a hit.
Visitors also enjoyed live music from local duo Rob and Scott, who have performed together for more than a decade.
Friends of Wesleyville Village is a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving, restoring and revitalizing Wesleyville Village, a former 19th-century community in Port Hope, Ontario. Through restoration projects, educational programming and community events, the organization works to ensure that the village remains a place for people to explore, learn and gather. For more information, visit: www.wesleyvillevillage.ca
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. In 2025-26, OTF invested nearly $107M into 746 community projects. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
