KENSINGTON HALL

Again, we find this exemplified when the need arose in the Eastern part of the town and still another “Meeting Place” was established. It was in June, 1898 that Kensington Hall was con- ceived and became a reality a year later. It stood on the east side of Edward Street, between Euston and Fitzroy Streets and was set apart by the “First” Church for special work as a Mission project. A dedicated band of workers made this Hall the centre of their activities on behalf of the people of that area. There a Sunday School was held and Home Department work carried on. Of the splendid work of this Mission School perhaps the Cottage Prayer Meetings stand out as pre-eminent.

Kensington Hall itself was a rather crude structure. as it is recalled today, but it was the warmth and fervor of its workers, who rallied to the call of the people of that area, that gave it a special significance. This school numbered only ten officers and teachers and had on its roll one hundred and forty scholars. It was under the capable management of Miss Mary White, still remembered by many as the dressmaker, who used to spend days at a time in the homes, stitching and fitting the dresses and coats of many of the church children. There were few, if any, ready—made clothes in those days. These fittings were a neverdto—be-forgotten test of endurance, as recalled today, but the pretty Sunday dresses — often velveteen, with white lace collars, made up for all the pin—pricks and tediousness of the fittings.

There were annual Christmas Concerts at the “First” Church and at Kensington Hall. At the Kensington Hall concert there was also a distribution of gifts and candy and the warmth of these gatherings in that rather crude building, is among the most glamorous of childhood memories. The winters then seemed colder, and the snow deeper, as the horses and sleighs beat their way through the huge snowdrifts, breaking a trail, soon to be refilled.

Those appointed to supervise the Kensington Mission work were: L. L. Beer, E. H. Beer, W. J. Miller, C. A. Clark, G. H. Hazard, G. H. Taylor, G. D. Wright, and W. C. Turner. Mr. Turner is remembered especially, as an indefatigable worker at both the First Church and at Kensington Hall, where he was Superintendent for a number of years. Full of the Spirit of the Lord, he laboured unstintingly in His service. The last recorded annual meeting of Kensington Hall was held on May 23rd, 1916. Present at that meeting were Rev. R. G. Fulton, Mrs. Goff, Mrs. Puncher, Misses

Moore, Snelgrove and White. The attendance was reported as being ninety. In October (1915) Mr. Fulton baptized five children.

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