Around the turn of the century, the road system was much improved and the congregation began to drift into town churches. Records indicate that a thriving non-denominational Sunday School continued for some time, led by members of the community.

Eventually the church fell into disuse and the beautiful Gothic windows were boarded up.

Some 100 years after the founding of Ellis Chapel, descendants of the original pioneer families were encouraged to form a Board of Trustees and restore the church. This was made possible through the effort and dedication of the late Loyd Frank of London, Ontario.

On August 25th, 1963, the first service was held in the newly-renovated building. This memorial to Puslinch settlers once again became a place of worship and meditation for the community and the motoring public.

In June 1966, the seats from the Dracon Presbyterian Church in West Garafraxa Township were donated to the Ellis Chapel.

The Building of the Church 1859-1861

Ellis Church was built by the men of pioneer families as a community effort.

Skilled carpenters working on the construction of the Church included Edward and Thomas Ellis and Peter Lamont. Much of the building material was supplied from surrounding fields and forests and transported by the neighbours from nearby farms. Free-will donations from members of the community helped to meet expenses for building materials purchased. The actual building of the Church was accomplished during community gatherings known as 'work bees,' Work bees were to become a tradition in the history of Ellis Church.

Two foot thich random-faced fieldstone walls supported the four by four inch pine rafters of the split cedar shingled roof. The flooring was two inch thick pine planking and the ceiling rose to approximately seventeen feet. The Gothic, pointed-top windows and sashes were made by Edward Ellis. The window sashes sat practically flush with the outside window frames allowing for deep interior sills. Six large windows, on three sides, faced north, east and west along with a smaller Gothic window over the north entrance. Unpainted pine wainscotting with plastered natural white walls complimented the simple structure which would later stand the test of time with its sturdiness.

The approximate dimensions of Ellis Church are forty feet by thirty feet. The interior furnishings are best to be considered as shown in the original layout scheme illustrated by Loyd Frank (1963).

Methodist Ministers

1855 M. Ferguson
1856 David Savage
1857 Luther C. Rice
1858-1860 Samuel C. Philp
1861-1863 Richard L. Tucker
1864-1865 William Savage
1866 Aaron D. Miller
1867 John Smiley
1868-1870 Thomas A. Ferguson
1871-1872 Thomas Stobbs
1873 Christopher Cookman
1874 William Henderson
1875-1877 James McAlister
1878-1879 Edwin Holmes
1880 Francis E. Nugent
1883-1886 William Mills

Early Ellis Methodist Church Members

Surname Given Name Father Mother Birthplace Birth Date Baptisim Date Death Date Minister

COPELAND Joseph was born in 1811 in England 1851 farmer Puslinch Twp. married Eliza

COPELAND Edward Joseph Eliza was born in 1849 in Ontario 1851 living Puslinch Twp.

COPELAND Eliza was born in 1825 in England 1851 living Puslinch Twp. married Joseph

COPELAND William Joseph Eliza was born in 1846 in Ontario 1851 living Puslinch Twp.

COPELAND William was born in 1811 in England 1851 farmer living Puslinch Twp.

EAGLE James Samuel Annie was born in 1831 in Norfolk Co. England arrived 1837 settled near Sheffield, Beverly 1845 took up lot 6 con 2 adjoining Puslinch lake 1851 labourer living Puslinch Twp. 1871 farmer living in Puslinch Con 1 Lot 7 1881 farmer living Puslinch Twp. married Emily Martin Wesleyan Methodist Ellis Church Sunday School Superintendent

EAGLE Marvin Sunday School Superintendent

EAGLE Matilda Samuel Anne born 1838 Ontario 1851 living Puslinch Twp. Ellis Methodist Church

EAGLE Roseanna Samuel Anne born 1836 Ontario 1851 living Puslinch Twp. Ellis Methodist Church

EAGLE Samuel was born in 1794 in England 1851 farmer living Puslinch Twp. Ellis Methodist Church married Anne

ELLIS Edward b 1813 Canada Farmer Puslinch (1851) also (1871) Con 2 Lot 9, 1859 Edward and Mary Ellis, pioneer settlers in Puslinch Township, gave land for a church to the Wesleyan Methodist Church.

ELLIS Thomas b 1815 Farmer Canada Farmer Puslinch (1851) also (1871) Con 2 Lot 19

ELLIS William

EVANS Arthur

FIFE John Sunday School Superintendent

GLOVER Barbara L. David Catherine was born in 1869 and died Apr 16, 1872 buried Ellis Methodist Church

GLOVER Catharine was born in 1833 in Scotland 1881 living Puslinch Twp. married David Ellis Wesleyan Methodist

GLOVER David was born in 1833 in Ontario 1881 farm labourer living Puslinch Twp. married Catharine Ellis Wesleyan Methodist

GLOVER David David Catharine was born in 1869 in Ontario 1881 living Puslinch Twp. Ellis Wesleyan Methodist

GLOVER Mary David Catharine was born in 1867 in Ontario 1881 living Puslinch Twp. Wesleyan Methodist

GLOVER William David Catharine was born in 1861 in Ontario 1881 living Puslinch Twp. Wesleyan Methodist

LAMONT Alexander Peter Margaret was born on February 10, 1861 in Ontario 1881 farmer living Puslinch Twp. married Hattie (Martin) Ellis Wesleyan Methodist 1888 moved away

LAMONT Emma Peter Margaret was born on November 3, 1859 in Ontario 1881 living Puslinch Twp. Ellis Wesleyan Methodist

LAMONT Margaret (Hewitt) was born in 1817 in Ireland 1881 living Puslinch Twp. married Peter Ellis Wesleyan Methodist 1888 was widowed and moved away with her son Alexander

LAMONT Peter Alexander (?) was born on March 6, 1806 in Scotland married Margaret (Hewitt) on January 2, 1854 and lived on the homestead 1851 carpenter living Puslinch Twp. 1871 farmer living lot 5 con 2 Puslinch Twp. Ellis Methodist Church

LAMONT Rachel Peter Margaret 1851 living Puslinch Twp. Ellis Wesleyan Methodist

LAMONT Thomas H. Peter Margaret was born on June 22, 1856 in Ontario 1881 farmer living Puslinch Twp. Ellis Wesleyan Methodist became a school teacher and moved to Manitoba in 1880's

LITTLE Robert Sunday School Superintendent

LITTLE William

MASON Agnes James Mary was born on March 22, 1862 and was baptized on April 13, 1869 in Puslinch Twp. by Rev. T.A. Ferguson

MASON Annie James Mary was born in 1871 and died in 1876 buried Ellis Methodist Church

MASON Elizabeth James Mary was born on July 29, 1866 and was baptized on April 13, 1869 in Puslinch Twp. by Rev. T.A. Ferguson and died on October 13, 1869 buried Ellis Methodist Church

MASON James was born in 1834 in England 1871 living in Puslinch Twp. buried Ellis Methodist Church

MASON James James Mary was born on September 3, 1868 and was baptized on April 13, 1869 in Puslinch Twp. by Rev. T.A. Ferguson 1871 farmer living in Puslinch lot 14 con 2

MASON Mary Jane James Mary Puslinch was born on May 28, 1864 and was baptized on April 13, 1869 in Puslinch Twp. by Rev. T.A. Ferguson

MASON Mary married James buried Ellis Methodist Church

McALISTER Christina (Ramsey)b 1813 Campbellton, Argleshire, Scotland d 1904 m Mar 1, 1832 to John, Ellis Church Puslinch

McALISTER John m. Mar. 1, 1832 to Christina Ramsey, sailed for Canada 1832, on the ship "Postaferry", landing in Hamilton six or seven weeks later. Served as Ellis Church Community Trustee in Puslinch

REEVE Robert Edward Sarah b 1843 England Puslinch (1851) attending school