The historic Layer Cake Hall at 193 Davy Street is a hidden gem of the beautiful Village of Bath. This unique building, which dates back to 1859, is the proud home to the Bath Branch of the Lennox & Addington Libraries.
| Accessibility |
| Please note that as an historic site, the space does present some physical barriers. |
| 2022 Restoration Project |
| After assuming ownership of the building in 2019, an extensive restoration of the original building was necessary to stabilize the structure and protect the beautiful historic Gothic revival architecture. The $545,000 project was funded in part by the federal and provincial governments. The detailed restoration project was awarded to Ecclesiastical Refinishing and the work took place in 2022. |
| 2024-25 Structural Renovations to Addition |
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In the summer of 2024, Township staff discovered that the floor joists in the addition to the original Layer Cake Hall, ca. 1981, have been badly compromised by moisture and rot. Staff engaged a structural engineer to assess the damage and provide options. Council has approved $255,000 ($35,000 in 2024 and pre-budget approval for $220,000 in 2025) to design and construct repairs, which include filling the existing crawlspace under the addition to become a slab-on-grade foundation. Until the repairs are completed, access to the addition has been closed based on the structural engineer's recommendation. The library is still open, although inside access to the upstairs activity room is closed. |
| History of the Layer Cake Hall |
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Originally built in 1859, the Layer Cake Hall is an excellent example of Carpenter's Gothic Revival architecture, and the only one of its kind in Bath. Examples of this architecture style are not widespread in Ontario. This unique structural design movement began in England and draws distinctive features including finials, scalloping and lancet mouldings. The Bath Chapter of the Mechanic's Institute commissioned the building but unfortunately ran out of funds for its completion. Abraham Harris, a village carpenter, took ownership in 1859 and finished the beautiful structure that stands today. Over the years, ownership of the Hall passed through many hands and the facility served as home to multiple religious denominations and groups, such as the Ladies Auxiliary, before providing a space for the Millhaven Women's Institute (WI). In 1981, work was carried out on the building in an effort to restore and preserve this historical Bath landmark. In 2019, ownership was transferred to Loyalist Township who continue to place dedicated effort towards the restoration and preservation of this unique building. 2022's restoration project was carried out by Ecclesiastical Refinishing. For rehabilitating the Hall, Loyalist Township was awarded a Certificate of Commendation by the Frontenac Heritage Foundation in 2023, and the contractors involved received Certificates of Appreciation from the organization. |
| How did the Layer Cake Hall get its name? |
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Layer Cake Hall is a unique name! Have you ever wondered where it came from? Local historians found two stories at the Lennox & Addington Archives on how this charming building got its name - you be the judge! On October 31, 1973, the Napanee Beaver explained as follows: "The Layer Cake Hall is so called because it once housed two different religious denominations at different levels." Abraham Harris had leased the upper storey to the masonic Order and the lower storey to the Presbyterian Congregations of Bath. In 1890 the Masons left and the St. John's Anglican Church began to use the second storey as their church hall. The Presbyterians continued to use the ground floor until their congregation dissolved and they vacated the premises in 1925, after which the Anglican Church took over the entirety of the building. The other explanation came decades later when the June 7, 1994 Sunday Beaver printed, "The Layer Cake Hall is aptly named since its ornamental details, at various levels, make it a visual treat." It can be agreed that the distinctive features of the Layer Cake Hall make it special no matter how it got its name! |
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