Frost Avenue Gospel Hall, Rochester, NY

Frost Avenue Gospel Hall was an open brethren assembly active +1887-1950+ in Rochester, Monroe Co., in New York. It was originally known as Rochester Gospel Hall thru at least 1918.

The Witness 1918-9 reported on the passing of Thomas Pink in Rochester, who was "converted in Alex. Marshall's meetings in Galt, Ont. In Rochester for 31 years. A valued helper." This might suggest that the early open assembly there dates back to at least 1887. In 1890, the U.S. Religious Census counted one open brethren assembly in Monroe Co., in New York with 50 meeting in a home, it became known as Rochester Gospel Hall, and met thru at least 1904. In 1897, it was meeting at 273 E. Main St., and in 1904 its correspondent was Alexander "Alex" S. McKenzie (b. 1847 Prince Edward Island|P.E.I.]]).

1926 USCoRB indicated that there were 32 in fellowship (11 men, 21 women) including 1 under the age of 13, and 2 S.S. teachers, presiding over 20 children (for a total of 52 in 1926). The Hall had a value of $7579 with $3500 owed (with $1867.72 in annual expenses), and $885.26 was additionally spent towards the Lord's work in 1926. By 1927, it was meeting at 595 Frost Ave. The assembly hosted an annual conference from 1924-1930, generally in late August. There was no conference in 1931, "owing to universal business depression", and this may have signified the end of the annuals.

There have been a total of eight assemblies in the Rochester metro. Besides this meeting, there is what is now Cornerstone Bible Chapel, of which hived Northgate Bible Chapel and Crossroads Bible Fellowship. There were also a couple exclusive assemblies that pre-date the opens: Rochester Meeting Room (TW-EB) +1878-1944+ and a Grant meeting 1884-1958+. Regarding the latter, a division by 1936 created an open Grant assembly known as Bible Truth Hall that was active thru 1941. There was also a meeting at nearby York where the remaining few appear to have attended after whatever year Frost Avenue folded, that met until 1982. There are currently three assemblies in the Rochester metro, that owe their true beginnings to the evangelistic efforts of John Bramhall and Harold Harper.

In 1963, Words in Season posted an article entitled "The Unsaved Clergyman" that referenced a train ride from Rochester to Buffalo by D.C.P.

Locations

• 273 E. Main St. +1897+
• 95 E. Main St. 1906+
• 24 Wilder Arcade +1913+
• 102 State St. +1927
• 595 Frost Ave. 1927-1947+

Correspondents

• Thomas Pink? +1887?-1918?+ (1860-1918)
• Alexander "Alex" S. McKenzie +1904-1906+ (b. 1847 P.E.I.)
• George W. Lewis +1926-1934
• Frank A. Perrott 1935-1950+

Also See

• Visiting Ministry at Frost Avenue Gospel Hall, Rochester, NY itinerants, etc.
• Who's Who at Frost Avenue Gospel Hall, Rochester, NY notable alumni

Sources

• OB & EB AAB's 1897-current
• New York history by Robert L. Peterson & David Rodgers
• Witness: 1906-12; 1913-3