building on , for services and meetings. The first Baptist Church meeting in the YMCA was held a few days after the fire, and the first thing addressed was the major $5,000 liability and the steps they would take to reduce it. It is difficult to relate, but that debt in today's terms would be in excess of 1/4 million dollars. Apart from the corner property, the membership had no assets except their unswerving faith in God, and they knew that with His guidance they would prevail. Their first action was to send a communication to every Baptist church in the three Maritime Provinces, as well as the Maritime Baptist Association, seeking any possible financial support. Then they thanked all who offered facility assistance and especially the YMCA for the temporary use of their hall. They agreed to pay $10 a month rent to the Y , and $2 a month to share janitor costs. By the end of June, they had raised almost $1,500 from donations and the sale of the old shed on . Pastor Edward Whitman , having himself endured personal loss, held the church together and worked hard to assure that regular income would at least pay the current expenses and loan interest. The newspaper's fire fund would help to reduce the debt, and a hastily established Building Committee would take immediate steps to see if a new church building was even a consideration. By December of 1889, with a massive appeal effort, the debt had been reduced enough that plans could be made for a new church building and Sunday School. C.B. Chappel ,ofthe local architectural firm of Phillips and Chappel, was hired todesign a newchurch that would serve their needs into thefuture. C.B. Chappel had a reputation as an accomplished brick and sandstone architect, and had designed Charlottetown 's new City Hall, just opened the previous year. Chappel would also design the large new Prince of Wales College building on in 1899. Baptists were satisfied with their location on the Prince and Fitzroy corner. With the old ruins cleared, construction was started by builder J.W. Cox as soon as the frost was out of the ground in the spring of 1889, one year after the octagonal church burned. With curtailed financing, the new building would not be as large as the old one, but it was considered a phenomenal rebound. Full credit in all discussions and efforts was being given to the congregation's tireless efforts, and to their unquestioned faith in God. Pastor Edward Whitman made a rather hurried and unexplained decision to resign in March of 1889, leaving immediately to accept a call to a Baptist church in Joliet, Illinois . It was a strange and very sudden move. The deacons and trustees, considering the situation, received a letter from Rev. John A . Gordon of the Baptist Church in New Glasgow , Nova Scotia , who had heard of the dilemma. He wanted to move back to the Island and was willing to take the pastorate for a period of time. John Gordon was no stranger to Baptists . He had preached there while pastor at the East Point Baptist Church, and at the evening service when the octagonal Baptist Church was opened in 1879. Rev. Gordon 's offer was accepted on a interim basis, until such time as a permanent pastor could be found. Monthly statements continued to balance, and small amounts were continually being paid down on the debt. Miraculously, the Charlottetown Baptist Church continued to grow. Two services were held each Sunday at 11:00 am and 7;00 pm. at the YMCA. Sunday School and the Pastor's Bible Class was held at 2:30 Pm, and the Young Men 's Christian Association always had its own Gospel Service every Sunday at 4:00 pm. The YMCA became a very busy facility on Sundays, and