Oak Hall Expeditions
Oak Hall Expeditions is a Christ-centered travel organization for young people that is presently based at Otford Manor in Otford Hills in Kent, England.
Contents
Early History
Tom Rees and his wife Jean were British evangelists with interest in developing a "Young People's Christian Conference Centre" atmosphere and initially purchased a mansion that was the commencement of Hildenborough Hall, a ministry name that would follow a number of moves before being renamed Oak Hall Expeditions.
Hildenborough Hall
According to an article from the Hildenborough History Society this first location, known then as Hollanden Park, was originally built for P.C. Hardwick between 1866 and 1870, who presumably used it for a residence. During World War Two, it was used by the Rachel McMillan teacher training college after they were evacuated from their premises in Deptford, in southeast London.
In a recollection from Tom's daughter, Jen Larcombe, in the forementioned article: Tom purchased it for £6000 in 1945. There was an old head gardener still living in the stable block, named Mr. Walster, who had worked for the previous owner, Lady Fladgate, since boyhood. In the olden days, Mr. Walster had grown plants and fruit for the house using five heated greenhouses on the property, but during the War, a German plane had crash-landed, breaking all the glass. Mr. Walster was delighted when Tom advised him that he would have them rebuilt with "War damage" funds and to restore his beautiful garden.
Tom kept his promise with teams of student volunteers, as well as several groups of German POW's, before eventually employing eight gardeners to assist Mr. Walster in maintaining the restored garden and greenhouses. Jen further recalls, "It was a glorious paradise for my brother and me as children. We could roam the gardens, shrubberies, kitchen gardens, woods and water gardens, and even steal Mr Walster’s glorious peaches – when we were sure he wasn’t looking! Golden days and happy memories I relive most days of my life! Many of the ‘guests’ who visited us every week have gone on to become inflectional leaders in the world as well as in the church."
The location as ministry was described as "A country mansion midway between London and the south coast, in Kent, the garden of England. Thirty two acres of pleasure grounds. Tennis, swimming, boating and riding. Daily excursions. Excellent food. Garden fruit and vegetables. Guernsey cows. Every comfort. Holiday Conferences designed specially to bring young people face to face with the claims of Jesus Christ as Lord in their lives. train them for Christian Service, and at the same time provide a thoroughly refreshing holiday in a cheerful Christian atmosphere".
1949 Brochure
Also See
Sources
- Hildenborough History Society article on Raphael Centre (formerly Hildenborough Hall & Hollanden Park
- Brochure acquired by Albert Edgar (b. 1911 Dalbeattie, Kirkcudbright, Scotland - d. 1999 Winnipeg, MB), son of Robert Boyes Edgar (1875-1927) & Janet Elliot Edgar (1871-1946), founders of the Ashburn Cottage Gospel Hall, Scotland 1908-1927
- courtesy of Albert's daughter Janet Edgar Taylor of Niagara Falls, Ontario 8-20-2020