Public Art Profile

​“The River Drew Me Here", by Art Lucs, is a raised sculpture that acts as a park gateway and visual representation of the 200th anniversary of the founding development of the Churchville community. The piece symbolizes the importance of rivers to the establishment of early communities across southern Ontario. In Churchville today, the Credit River remains a draw for residents and visitors and is an important part of community life, continuing to provide a place of serenity and respite in the midst of a major urban centre. Churchville was founded in 1815 by Amaziah Church who died in 1831 and is buried in the Churchville Cemetery. As with many rural hamlets, Churchville grew around a mill built to service local farmers. This grain mill was built near present day Steeles Avenue and Creditview Road and harnessed the force of the Credit River. The mill provided employment opportunities and, as a result, Churchville became home to many people. At its peak, Churchville was home to several churches, a tannery, a slaughterhouse, a school and several hotels. Churchville never grew very large, but by the late 19th century it was an established rural hamlet. A period of expansion came shortly after WWII when new homes were built, mainly outside the old village centre. Churchville was amalgamated with Brampton in 1974 as part of the creation of the Region of Peel. When development began to threaten the small community, the City of Brampton established the Churchville Heritage Conservation District, designated under the Ontario Heritage Act. To this day, Churchville remains a unique rural community set in a beautiful, naturalized rural setting.