A 60-Minute Walk at Sharon Temple National Historic Site
Make time for a short detour to Sharon, one of East Gwillimbury’s most distinctive historic corners. Sharon Temple National Historic Site works well as a 60-minute stop, especially if you want to stretch your legs while adding something more meaningful than a quick roadside photo to your day. The grounds are compact enough to explore at an easy pace, but there is plenty to notice once you slow down. Start with the wooden temple itself, the site’s unmistakable centrepiece. Built between 1825 and 1832 by the Children of Peace, it is unlike most early Ontario buildings. Its carefully balanced form, detailed craftsmanship, and bright presence on the open grounds immediately set it apart. This was a community shaped by ideals of equality, mutual support, music, and social reform, and the building reflects both their ambition and their attention to detail. After taking in the temple from the front, wander along the paths and give yourself time to look at it from different angles. The formal geometry of the structure feels especially striking against Sharon’s quieter rural setting. Interpretive displays and smaller heritage buildings help fill in the story, offering a clearer sense of how the Children of Peace gathered, worked, worshipped, and organized their community during the 19th century. Before you leave, step back for one final wide view across the grounds. It is the kind of place that rewards a calm visit rather than a rushed one: part architectural landmark, part local history lesson, and part peaceful walk. Whether you are exploring East Gwillimbury for the afternoon or passing through York Region, Sharon Temple is a practical and memorable stop when you have an hour to spare.
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