Revision as of 20:48, 21 March 2025

Akron Gospel Hall, Akron, Summit Co., OH (OB) +1904/+1926-2025+

Itinerants

• Robert Beattie 1931
• Bro. Beveridge 1928
• Benjamin Bradford 1928, 1930-1931
• J.M. Davies 1928
• J. Dixon 1931
• Bro. Dobbin 1928
• W.P. Douglas 1928, 1930, 1945
• George Duncan 1928, 1930-1932
• William Ferguson 1928, 1931, 1933
• W.G. Foster 1945
• John Govan 1929-1932
• W.H. Hunter 1933
• Bro. Kay 1928
• A.P. Klabunda 1946
• Bro. Lyons 1931
• Forbes MacLeod 1926
• Lorne MacLeod 1946
• J. Marshall 1928, 1930
• R.W. McCracken 1945
• John Knox McEwen 1931
• Bro. Mehl 1930
• Stephen Mick 1946
• Bro. Miller 1944
• Bro. Oliver 1930
• Joe Pearson 1946
• V. Phillips 1945
• H.W. Reusch 1944
• F.W. Schwartz 1930
• Bro. Thorpe 1927
• William Warke 1928
• John Watt 1931
• Bro. White 1932

News

Unless otherwise noted, source is Akron.

1920's

1926

• OR 1926-5: Akron, OH: "Forbes MacLeod had a series of meetings here, attended with manifest blessing."

1927

• OR 1927-5:
  • "The Lord willing, we will gather once more to hear the blessed word of God and to wait upon Him in prayer, May 28, 29 and 30, beginning Friday evening, 27th, with prayer. The Lord's people from a distance will be freely taken care of. M.W. Becker, 376 Orleans Ave."
  • "We had Brother Thorpe with us for a few days, the Word of the Lord being fresh and good. May it reach us and build us up in His ways."

1928

• OR 1928-6: Conferences: "The Akron, Ohio, convention will be held, D.V., Saturday, June 2, in Gospel Hall W. High St., and “Perkin’s Auditorium,” Sunday, June 3. Circulars from M.W. Becker, 681 19th St., Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio."

• OR 1928-7:
  • "The Lord gave us a very happy and healthy conference here. We had our esteemed brethren, Douglas, Bradford, Davies, Beveridge, Duncan, Kay, Dobbin and others with us, whose ministry was good and wholesome."
  • Pittsburgh, PA: "We had a helpful visit from our brother, J.M. Davies, who went on from here to attend Akron, O., Conference, and also hold a few meetings in Cleveland, ere going east, expecting to leave soon for So. India, with his wife and family."

• OR 1928-10: Cleveland, OH: "There was a large and, it was generally expressed, a very good and profitable time here at the “Labor Day” Conference. A spirit of harmony among the workers down-stairs in the kitchen and dining room, and among those who ministered the Word upstairs prevailed throughout, and help from the Lord was given to those who opened up the Book to us. Of the many present who gave their time to the work of the Lord, the following spoke to us: Brn. David Oliver, J. Marshall, J.A. Clarke, S.C. Keller, C. F. Hogg, J. Conaway, W. Smith, Mr. Hazelton, T.D.W. Muir. W. McCracken and T. McKelvey. The two latter brethren continued meetings in the Addison St. Hall, and Mr. Oliver in the West Side Hall. Mr. Marshall going to Akron."

1929

• OR 1929-1: "Brn. W. Ferguson and W. Warke held some weeks of meetings here. Good attendance, generally."

• OR 1929-5: Conferences: "The Conference will be held, God willing, June 1st and 2nd, with prayer meeting Friday, May 31st, at 7:45. Saturday meetings will be held in the Gospel Hall, 397 Locust St. Lord’s Day, meetings in the Perkin’s Auditorium, one door north of Hall. Those coming from a distance will be freely cared for. Communications to Mr. W. Becker, 681 19th St., Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio."

• OR 1929-10: Conferences: Cleveland, OH: "The Convention held at Labor-day time was largely attended, taxing the accommodations of the hall. Christians from Akron, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and other places within reach were present, and the ministry was such that the general expression was that God had been with them. Brn. McClure, Ferguson, Gould Jr., Mehl, G. Smith, Jas. Smith, T.D.W. Muir and others sought to minister the Word."

1930's

1930

• OR 1930-2: Flint, MI: "We had a large gathering at our Sunday School treat New Year’s day. Two scholars have recently got saved, and that encourages the teachers. Br. Govan spent three months in Akron and Youngstown, Ohio. In Akron there were a number saved, and in Youngstown, although meetings were smaller, yet God was working."

• OR 1930-5: Conferences: "Conference at Akron, Ohio, will be held on May 30, 31, and June 1, in Perkins Auditorium, as hitherto, with three meetings daily, for the ministering of the Word of God and Prayer. All coming from a distance will be freely taken care of. Believers’ Hymn Books will be used, so those having same please bring along. Communication address, M. W. Becker, 1733 19th Street, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio."

• OR 1930-7: "The Memorial Day Conference was both large and good. Among those attending and giving help through the Word, were Brn. Douglas, Oliver, Bradford, Mehl, Schwartz, Marshall, Duncan and others. The saints were refreshed and encouraged."

1931

• OR 1931-4: "Conference as usual May 30 and 31 in Gospel Hall, 397 Locust St. Particulars from M. W. Becker, 1733 19th St., Cuyahoga Falls, O."

• OR 1931-6: Barberton, OH: "In this town, just south of Akron, our brother, John Govan, is holding forth the Word of Life. The people are mostly Slavs and predominantly R. C. One young man has professed to be saved through faith in Christ."

• OR 1931-7:
  • "At the last Conference, the largest yet held, there was manifestly a time of blessing. The speakers were Brethren B. Bradford, J. Dixon, R. Beattie (from Ireland), S. McEwen, J. Govan, W. Ferguson, Lyons, Duncan, and Watt."
  • Windsor, ON: "Robert Beattie’s meetings here were the means of blessing to several who trusted Christ. Brother Beattie is now in Akron, O., for Gospel work."

• OR 1931-11: "Brother George Duncan had four weeks' good meetings."

1932

• OR 1932-3: "John Govan started meetings here in the end of January and was hoping when he wrote to see the hand of the Lord in blessing."

• OR 1932-4&5:
  • "Lord willing, Conference will be held here in Perkins School Auditorium, one block north of Gospel Hall, on May 28-29-30, three meetings daily at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., for prayer, praise and for the ministry of the word of God. Preceded by a prayer meeting on Friday evening at 7:45 p.m. Those coming from a distance will be freely taken care of. Pray for these meetings that they may be for His glory and blessing of His own redeemed people. Correspondence: M.W. Becker, 1733 19th St., Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
  • OR 1932-5: Cleveland, OH: "On April 6th, our sister, Mrs. James Watt, of Chagrin Falls, went home after a long period of intense suffering. She leaves a husband and three children to mourn her loss. We feel touched by this death, for as a girl (Kate Jeffreys), she spent some time in our home in Chicago many years ago. Her husband writes that the saints in Cleveland and Akron were very kind to her during the long illness and the funeral services were conducted by Frank Johnson and W. P. Douglas.

• OR 1932-9: Mansfield, Ohio: "A meeting for the breaking- of bread and other services incident to an assembly of saints has been begun here with the full fellowship of the saints in Akron and Cleveland. This fellowship was sought because the brethren in Mansfield had been going to these places to break bread. An invitation Is sent to saints everywhere to visit this new assembly, bringing, of course, a letter of commendation. The correspondent is J. Alexander Forrest, Grace and Michigan, Lincoln Heights, Mansfield, and the notice sent to us is signed not only by him but also by two other brethren, L.B. Slick and J. Hunter."

1933

• OR 1933-2: Detroit, MI: "Brethren McCrory and Wilkie are having meetings in Springbank, a suburb of Detroit. They began January 8th. This work is in fellowship with Central Hall. William Ferguson had about five weeks in Ohio, three of them in Akron, with good interest. He is now thinking of house to house work in towns and villages around Detroit."

• OR 1933-3: Cleveland, OH: "W.H. Hunter is here having meetings and the attendance has been good and the meetings enjoyed. He thinks of going to Akron after leaving Cleveland. W.P. Douglas went to Youngstown for meetings."

• OR 1933-4: Steubenville, OH: "Brother W.H. Hunter, writing from here, says he had a happy time in Cleveland and Akron. He is also enjoying ministering to the saints where he now is. He mentions the fact that W.F. Hunter (no relative) is having meetings in New Bedford just now. He also says that James Blackwood has visited Desoronto, Ont., where Fred Peer saw blessing in the tent last summer, and found a hearty response to his ministry. The McMullen brothers are still visiting in New England."

1940's

1945

• 1945-1 LOI: Rootstown Town Hall Assembly: H.W. REUSCH, Correspondent

"The saints at the Rootstown, Ohio assembly were blessed with a refreshing and happy season of park meetings during the summer just passed. This is written with the hope that it might encourage others to enjoy the same blessings. The meetings were held in Perkins Park on Lord’s day afternoon at 2:30 and continuing until about 4:30. This park was chosen because it is located in one of the most thickly populated sections of Akron. The city park administration was very kind to allow us to meet there and they also furnished us with an electric outlet for our public address system.

The meetings were held on the grass under the trees near the playground and the shelter house. This enabled us to bring the gospel direct to the people when they had time to listen. Because of the informal character of the services many listened who would not attend a meeting in a hall or even a tent. The people sat on the park benches and in the shelter house, some stood along the drive nearby while others sat on the ground. They could come and go at liberty and some sat at a distance and listened. The public address system carried the message through the whole park and across to the houses located outside.

On one windy day a lady about four blocks away heard the sound of the voice bringing the gospel over the loud speakers and she decided that she would go over to the park the next Lord’s day to find out what it was all about. She came the next week and as she sat there on the bench listening to the old story that is ever new, the tears began to run down her cheeks. One of the brethren went over to speak with her after the meeting and found out that she had been a R.C. but the Lord had saved her soul by revealing the Lord Jesus Christ to her as her Saviour through the ministry of others outside of her own church. She left the church and was told she was lost because she had left. Therefore when she heard the gospel and the security of the believer spoken of in the park it made tears of joy flow down her cheeks. After the first few meetings many individuals and even families began to come to the park just to attend the meetings.

Brother Miller was exercised about the many children in the park and he suggested that we try having an outdoor school for them. The rest of the brethren thought it would be a good thing to try, so after the gospel meeting we invited the children to gather around on the grass in an appropriate place to listen to some Bible stories. They were reluctant to come at first but the brethren went down into the playground and invited the children personally to come to the class and they began to come more freely after that.

We had an attendance of from 12 to 38 children of every description gathered there each afternoon listening to the gospel through Bible stories. It was a joy to look into their little faces as they sat there and drank in the good news. They were exceptionally well behaved and gave us no trouble at all as far as discipline was concerned. We gave them candy as a treat after the class was over at several of the meetings. We also gave them Bibles for attending 10 classes and learning a verse of scripture each time.

It certainly was a privilege to see the joy those children expressed to get their Bibles. This experience has emphasized to us the necessity of going out to the people where they are in order to reach them. The word in Psalm 14 and Romans 3:11 tells us that “there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” If it were any different people would come to the halls for meetings, but the Word tells us that they do not understand and they do not seek after God therefore it is necessary to go to them with the gospel.

In all probability there were more unsaved listening to the Gospel at one meeting in the park than there would be at the average gospel hall in a whole year. We did not attempt to measure the results by counting conversions. We consider it our responsibility to faithfully preach the Word and leave the results with the Lord who will reveal the count to us in eternity."

• 1945-9 LOI: W.G. Foster, 14701 Alder Ave., East Cleveland, OH: "I have been kept close to home for the last two years or more, owing to the illness of my mother. Two weeks ago we thought she was “going home,” but she has made an amazing recovery although still quite a care. I have been able to give considerable help in the Addison Road and West Side Assemblies in Cleveland, Ohio. Sometimes I get to Akron for the Lord’s day."

• 1945-11 LOI: V. Phillips, Box 313, Tarpon Springs, FL: "While visiting some of the assemblies in Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Akron, Pittsburgh and Flint, preaching the gospel and doing personal work, the Lord blessed His Word. Three souls professed salvation. I have now returned to this field of labor in Florida and will value your prayers for this work."

• 1945-12 LOI: W.G. Foster: "I am still kept close to home on account of my mother’s illness. I haven’t been able to get away for any meetings for over two years, but it is good to know “that all things work together for good to them that love God.” We have need of patience and we read in Romans 5 how it is obtained, “Tribulation worketh patience.” So we are in the school of experience and I am afraid that the most of us are poor scholars, but our blessed Lord said long ago, “Learn of Me.” I help whenever possible in the Cleveland, Ohio, assemblies, East and West sides, and sometimes at Akron on the Lord’s day."

1946

• LOI 1946-4: J. Pearson, 51 Hamlin St., Manchester, CT & A.P. Klabunda, 6224 South Ave., Indiana, PA: "These brethren were continuing with gospel meetings in Akron, Ohio, when last we heard, March 15th."

• LOI 1946-5:
  • Joe Pearson, 51 Hamlin St., Manchester, CT & A.P. Klabunda, 6224 South Ave., Indiana, PA: "We hear that these brethren are being encouraged in their meetings in Akron, O., by several having professed to be saved."
  • Reports and Assembly Activities: Andrew J. Cotton @ LOI: "We are glad to report that widespread blessing in the gospel resulted from quite a few series of gospel meetings held in various places in March and April. It looks like God is letting His servants and His people enjoy a little season of refreshing and blessing in conversions in these dark days. The blessing attending these efforts tends to show that when the Lord’s servants are free to go on, and the Lord’s people are willing to go on as long as God is working, more fruit is seen in a sustained effort in the gospel. There is doubtless blessing in other places not known to us at this time, but we rejoice to hear of quite a few souls being saved in St. Catherines, Ont., Niagara Falls, Ont., Sarnia, Ont., Stratford, Ont., Chicago Blvd., Detroit, Mich., Akron, Ohio, Centerville, Iowa, Durham, N.C., Bryn Mawr, Pa., Jackson, Mich. Details of the meetings in these places appear in the Report section. We know of nothing so stimulating to Christian as hearing of God working and souls being saved, and we solicit news of gospel effort and resulting blessing."

• LOI 1946-10: Stephen Mick, 1514 Wisconsin Ave., Boscobel, WI: "I have been in Akron, Ohio, for the past five weeks, helping brother Macleod in the tent. The meetings hate been very good, well attended, and some have professed -to be saved, so we are very thankful to the Lord for this tent season."

• LOI 1946-12: Oswald L. McLeod, 1715 Laverne Ave., Dayton, OH: "Brother McLeod, after seeing blessing in the salvation of souls and restoration of backsliders in tent meetings in Akron with Brother Mick, went to Jackson, Mich, to to help the Lord's people. From there he went to the Blue River, Wise, conference and then on to Garnavillo, Iowa for meetings.

Sources

• Letters of Interest (LOI): 1945-9&11-12; 1946:4-5&10&12
• Our Record (OR): 1926-5; 1927-5; 1928:6-7&10; 1929-1&5&10; 1930-2&5&7; 1931-4&6-7&11; 1932:3-5&9; 1933:2-4