Changes

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.

We learn from George Dixon’s booklet, ''Looking Backward, Pressing Forward''<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>