In late 1832, a small religious sect, the Children of Peace, completed theirnsecond place of worship, a temple, in the village of Hope in the sparselynsettled northern reaches of Toronto’s rural hinterland. Called by a vision ton“ornament the Christian Church with all the glory of Israel,” the Children ofnPeace rebuilt Solomon’s temple as the seat of their New Jerusalem (Schrauwersn1993; 2009). As William Lyon Mackenzie, newspaper editor, mayor ofnToronto, and member of the elected assembly for the riding enthused, thisnthree-tiered building was “calculated to inspire the beholder with astonishment;nits dimensions—its architecture—its situation—are all so extraordinary” (CAn18 Sept. 1828). The Children of Peace, having fled a cruel and uncaringnEnglish pharaoh, viewed themselves as the new Israelites lost in the wildernessnof Upper Canada; here they would end sectarianism and rebuild God’s kingdomnon the principle of charity. It is important to stress both the symbolism and thenintended function of this, their second church; the highly symbolic temple wasnintended solely for their monthly alms sacrifice for the poor “Israelite fashion.”nThe Charity Fund they collected there was utilized for “the relief of the poor ofnthe contributors, and others” (Sharon Temple n.d.: 11), as well as the support ofna shelter for the homeless (Schrauwers 2009: 47). Targeted recipients includednvictims of a cholera epidemic in Toronto and starving pioneer settlers in the out-nlying districts (CA 23 Aug. 1832; Constitution 4 May 1837).
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