Changes

<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Bethel Gospel Chapel existed as early as 1900. 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></div>

<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;">Civil pastors included Thomas Saunders (1956-1957) who also served as the second General Secretary of the CBCPQ 1956-1959. McDonald Simpson (1957-1958) who, having passed away in mid-1958, was followed by Randolph Simpson (1958-1966); John Huggins and Carl Worrell (1967-). Carl Worrell, author of the following paragraphs which appeared in the ''Precious Seed ''magazine in 2007, had arrived in 1957.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"ln the early years of the twentieth century a number of immigrants arriving from the United Kingdom who had met in simple fashion to worship the Lord in the 'Old Country', started to meet in the same way in the storefront of a building situated at 2481 St. Antoine St., Montreal. They were known as 'Plymouth Brethren' and their meeting place as the 'Gospel Hall'. This was actually one of the first assemblies in the province of Quebec. They met for breaking of bread and gospel preaching and over a period of time their numbers increased. They started a Sunday School on Sunday afternoons which attracted some of the children of the neighbourhood.

</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Just as believers came to Montreal from Britain, so too did some arrive from In the West Indies, via Nova Scotia, and joined the testimony. Over time other Afro-Canadians became Christians and came into the fellowship early years of the assembly. A good twentieth century a number of immigrants arriving from the British brethren soon set up another testimony United Kingdom who had met in another part simple fashion to worship the Lord in the 'Old Country', started to meet in the same way in the storefront of the citya building situated at 2481 St. Antoine St., Montreal. The name They were known as 'BethelPlymouth Brethren' was added and Bethel their meeting place as the 'Gospel Hall became predominantly West lndian'. The numbers were small but This was actually one of the brethren were faithful; it was not congenial to meet, during first assemblies in the bitterly cold winter monthsprovince of Quebec.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">ln the 1940's  They met for breaking of bread and 50's, through person to person witnessing gospel preaching and special gospel efforts, many folks over a period of time their numbers increased. They started a Sunday School on Sunday afternoons which attracted some of the children of African descent were saved, baptized and added to the assemblyneighborhood.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">"One outstanding evangelist who held meetings at Bethel was Mr. B. M. NottageJust as believers came to Montreal from Britain, so too did some arrive from the West Indies, via Nova Scotia, one of and joined the four welltestimony. Over time other Afro-known Nottage brothers from Canadians became Christians and came into the fellowship of the Bahamasassembly. The brothers were instrumental in building A good number of the British brethren soon set up many assemblies another testimony in another part of the USAcity. Brother NottageThe name 's labours bore much fruitBethel' was added and Bethel Gospel Hall became predominantly West lndian. The numbers were small but the brethren were faithful; many professed faith in Christ under his ministryit was not congenial to meet, during the bitterly cold winter months.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">"The late 1950In the 1940's and 50's brought , through person to person witnessing and special gospel efforts, many more young believers folks of African descent were saved, baptized and added to the assembly. One outstanding evangelist who held meetings at Bethel was Mr. B. M. Nottage, one of the four well-known Nottage brothers from the West lndian islands augmenting the number Bahamas. The brothers were instrumental in building up many assemblies in the assemblyUSA. Youth activities also drew Brother Nottage's labours bore much fruit; many to the testimonyprofessed faith in Christ under his ministry.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">"Montreal was The late 1950's brought many more young believers from the West lndian islands augmenting the venue of number in the 1967 World's Fair, better known as Expo '67assembly. To prepare for this event Youth activities also drew many properties were expropriated by local government to construct an expressway. The rented assembly building was one of them. At this time the Lord provided space in a local community centre where the testimony was temporarily housed for five years.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">"The city of Westmount, within Montreal, is one was the venue of the most affluent municipalities in Quebec1967 World's Fair, better known as Expo '67. It has been the place where To prepare for this event many prominent businessmen and politicians livedproperties were expropriated by local government to construct an expressway. A quaint church The rented assembly building was erected there by a group one of Baptists well over a hundred years ago for their meetingsthem. They sold it to another group and At this time the building changed hands Lord provided space in a few times by groups whose numbers had grown too large for local community centre where the building. Bethel had been looking testimony was temporarily housed 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 dealingsfive years.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">"This edificeThe city of Westmount, a three-storey structurewithin Montreal, accommodates 250 people is one of the most affluent municipalities in Quebec. It has been the main auditorium place where the floor is gently sloped many prominent businessmen and the pews curvedpoliticians lived. There is also A quaint church building was erected there by a group of Baptists well over a large balconyhundred years ago for their meetings. While renovations were in progress They sold it to another group and the assembly met at building changed hands a few times by groups whose numbers had grown too large for the Welcome Hall Missionbuilding. Renovations included suitable facilities Bethel had been looking for serving food at what has become an annual three-day Thanksgiving Conference, the first a building of which was held in 1973its own for a long time. The trusses - which are ln the spring of timber were reinforced with steel. To provide more space1972 this church building, particularly for youth activitieslocated at 4250 de Maisonneuve Boulevard West, a basement was excavated in the early 1990sWestmount, became available. There are Sunday School classrooms, a nursery Bethel purchased it and caretaker living quarters. The acoustics are excellent. Absolutely no alterations can be made to it became Bethel Gospel Chapel; the façade change of the building as it is deemed a heritage buildingname had to do purely with government dealings.</div>

<div style="textThis 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 -align: justify;">"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. 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." </div>