HALL, Josiah (fl. 1879-85), described as “the architect and builder”, of Unionville, Ont., and he was credited with the Gothic design of the Methodist Church, UNIONVILLE, ONT. (Central United Church 1879-1979, 19, illus.). In 1881 he was again referred to as the “architect of Unionville” who designed the Methodist Church on the Aurora Circuit, Petches Neighbourhood, at WESLEY CORNERS, ONT. (Christian Guardian [Toronto], 4 Jan. 1882, 6-7, descrip.; Wesley United Church Golden Jubilee, 5, illus.). Hall was also noted as the architect who had “designed and constructed Ebenezer Church only two years earlier”, a likely reference to Ebenezer Primitive Methodist Church in nearby MILLIKEN, ONT., 1877-78. This significant Gothic landmark still stands on Steeles Avenue East at Brimley Road, Markham, Ont., and opened on 17 February 1878 (inf. United Church Archives, Toronto).
In 1885 it was reported that Josiah Hall "architect of Unionville" had moved to Aurora, Ont. and purchased a house there, and that "Mr. Hall is building several houses this summer" in that town, an indication that he was likely both designer and builder of several works in Aurora, many of which may still stand today (The Liberal [Richmond Hill], 28 May 1885, 4).