This house, to our knowledge, represents the only remaining section of a much larger house that stood on the corner of Rutherford Crescent and Church Street. This property was constructed by Levi Templeman (1867-1932), the brother of merchant Philip Templeman (1860-1926), founder of one of Newfoundland’s most successful fishing merchant firms in the 19th century. Levi’s father William Templeman (1824-1877) was a planter who expanded his fishing operation to become a trader and provide goods to other fishermen in exchange for fish. Following William’s death, Phillip took over and later expanded the business. Levi was also a merchant and likely worked in the family business.

 

​Levi had seven children from his first marriage to Emily Harris (1876-1913) and two children from his second marriage to  Jesse  Goodland  (1888-1973).  Of his nine children, Dr. Walter Templeman (1907-1966) is probably the best-known.  After attending    Dalhousie   University in   Nova    Scotia, Dr. Templeman received degrees of Medical Doctor and Master of Surgery. He set up his first medical practice in Wabana, Bell Island, Newfoundland and now shares his name with the hospital in the community.

​Levi had seven children from his first marriage to Emily Harris (1876-1913) and two children from his second marriage to  Jesse  Goodland  (1888-1973).  Of his nine children, Dr. Walter Templeman (1907-1966) is probably the most well-known. After attending Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Dr. Templeman received degrees of Medical Doctor and Master of Surgery. He set up his first medical practice in Wabana, Bell Island, Newfoundland and now shares his name with the hospital in the community.

Before demolishing Levi’s home, a small section was moved across the property and made into a single dwelling home facing Church Street. For the majority of the life of this home, it was occupied by Althea Linda Templeman (born 1909), locally known as Leet Templeman. The home is currently a one and a half storey, but through the restoration process will be made into a three-storey home and will feature various architectural styles and details original to Church Street but are now lost on the built landscape. The property originally featured two over two windows throughout and a bay window. Bay windows were a common feature along sections of Church Street as it was traditionally a middle and upper class neighbourhood. Some of the architectural features Bonavista Living hopes to place on the house include a two-storey bay window facing the street in the second empire style, wide window trims with wide rain caps and decorative brackets along eaves.

Traditionally Church Street was a mixed commercial and residential area of the community. Bonavista Living has decided to repurpose the Levi Templeman property into a commercial space.