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<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style='"text-align: justify;'">Bethel Gospel Chapel existed as early as 1900.<sup>1</sup> At the outset it was known as the Montreal Gospel Hall on Saint Antoine Street. Later it was referred to simply as the Saint Antoine Street or the Atwater meeting, both streets being located near downtown Montreal. By 1958 and likely before, the name had been changed to Bethel Gospel Hall. It was still so designated as late as 1974 according to a letter written by Arnold Reynolds. The current property in Westmount was purchased in 1972 when that on Saint Antoine Street was demolished.</div> <div style='"text-align: justify;'"><span style="font-size: 0.939em;">We learn from George Dixon’s booklet, </span><em style="font-size: 0.939em;">Looking Backward, Pressing Forward</em><span style="font-size: 0.939em;">, that Mr. and Mrs. Henry Frost, following their return from China and service with the China Inland Mission, gave a helping hand at this assembly. The same source informs us of one missionary, Miss Mary Ridley, sent out from this assembly in 1902 to serve in China. She was still on the field as late as 1940. Several reports along with pictures of this servant of the Lord appear in the pages of </span><em style="font-size: 0.939em;">Asian Giants Awake</em><span style="font-size: 0.939em;"> by Dr. Frederick Tatford. In 1952 she is referred to in a letter from William Rae to Dr. Arthur Hill, dated March 1st, as “our aged sister Ridley, missionary to China of long ago.’ In a handwritten letter from Miss Ridley herself, dated February 18 of the same year and sent from Penticton, BC, she confesses her “writing is horrible but am not well these days.” She passed into the presence of the Lord shortly thereafter.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Persons associated with Bethel at one time or another include, among others, George and Edith Dixon who arrived at the St. Antoine meeting in 1925 and ultimately fellowshipped at Rosemount. In 1978, brother Dixon could look back on 54 years of service to the Lord’s people in Quebec. Others who over time were part of this meeting include Meril Moore, Thomas Dawson, Cyril Bynoe, C. Nurse, E. Simons, Joseph Dumka, Herbert and John Huggins.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">"The city of Westmount, within Montreal, is one of the most affluent municipalities in Quebec. It has been the place where many prominent businessmen and politicians lived. A quaint church building was erected there by a group of Baptists well over a hundred years ago for their meetings. They sold it to another group and the building changed hands a few times by groups whose numbers had grown too large for the building. Bethel had been looking for a building of its own for a long time. ln the spring of 1972 this church building, located at 4250 de Maisonneuve Boulevard West, in Westmount, became available. Bethel purchased it and it became Bethel Gospel Chapel; the change of name had to do purely with government dealings.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">"This edifice, a three-storey structure, accommodates 250 people in the main auditorium where the floor is gently sloped and the pews curved. There is also a large balcony. While renovations were in progress the assembly met at the Welcome Hall Mission. Renovations included suitable facilities for serving food at what has become an annual three-day Thanksgiving Conference, the first of which was held in 1973. The trusses - which are of timber were reinforced with steel. To provide more space, particularly for youth activities, a basement was excavated in the early 1990s. There are Sunday School classrooms, a nursery and caretaker living quarters. The acoustics are excellent. Absolutely no alterations can be made to the façade of the building as it is deemed a heritage building.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">"The Lord has richly blessed the assembly throughout the years. Those who, with the help of the Holy Spirit, directed the assembly in its early days have all passed into the presence of the Lord. The present leadership continues to follow the New Testament pattern and trust this will continue unto the appearing of our blessed Lord." RS </div>