Established presence in Parry Sound for over 130 years.
Late 1800’s
In the 1870s, the gospel of Jesus Christ first came to Ontario from England and Ireland, but it is uncertain when or how it first arrived in Parry Sound. The first known location of the Christian assembly was in Gluckstein’s store around the year, 1886. About 1901, servants of the Lord arrived to preach the gospel in tent meetings. They were Fred G. Watson, David Miller, James McMullen, and Leonard Sheldrake. Then, the assembly moved to the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Sylvester (Pictured) until 1913, when they moved to Midland. Around that time, there were approximately fourteen believers in fellowship.
Early 1900’s
In 1912, J. Sylvester and F. Watson had meetings in the Orange Hall on the Rosseau Road, about twelve miles south of town, and at least one person was saved.
From 1913 until 1918, thirteen believers met in Miss Kingston’s home on Church Street, across from the Anglican church building. For two years, the assembly gathered in the home of William Draper, a servant of the Lord, who lived on the present-day Louisa Street. He was the grandfather of Clarence Draper and Marjorie Field. When Mrs. Draper went home to Heaven in 1920, Robert Bruce (Pictured) was asked to take the funeral by her son, Charles Draper, who was also a preacher. The funeral was in the Draper home, and Mr. Bruce had a few meetings in the house next door, and later, they got the use of a large room over a bake shop on main street, as the baker was a saved man. After they finished those meetings, they held some at Badger’s school about four miles out of town, then on to Orrville, Turtle Lake, Doe Lake, and finally, Horseshoe Lake. In the meantime, the assembly moved for a very short time to the Groves’ home on William Street. Mr. Groves was the power plant superintendent, but had to leave and seek work in Foleyet, and later, Byng Inlet.
1920 - 1950’s
That spring of 1921, the assembly moved to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bruce at the corner of McMurray and Gibson Streets in Rudds’ apartment building. There were no meetings while Mr. Bruce or Mr. Groves were away, and when they returned, they notified the saints since they were the only two men. In the spring, they pitched a tent where the post office now stands, and souls were saved. Mr. Sylvester was able to help out with those meetings. So, the assembly continued to remember the Lord at intervals until 1932.
Brother David Miller suggested that the elders look at a vacant building at Miller and Mary Streets, that was being used only as a storage place. So, they talked to the owner, Mrs. Rawlinson, and when they explained that they wanted to preach the gospel there, she agreed. After the meetings were over, she asked if they wanted it permanently, and they agreed to take it for one year at $5.00 a month, and were there for twenty-eight years. By the end of that time, they were paying $10.00 a month.
Mr. Groves carried on a gospel testimony each Sunday night, and a Wednesday night prayer meeting and Bible study. When Mr. Bruce was home, they worked together. Leonard Hobourn was the superintendent of the Sunday School, and his wife, Jean, taught. In later years, so did Clarence and Evelyn Draper, Miss M. Thompson, Mrs. C. MacDonald and Miss Euphemia Bruce. From 1949, a bus picked up the children for Sunday School, and attendance was as high as sixty children. On the first of July, there was a picnic with lunch, games, prizes and a gospel message. On the first of January, there was a New Years’ treat for the children. There were prizes given for learning Bible verses, attendance, and conduct. Again, a gospel message was preached with parents usually attending.
Their gospel efforts were not confined to the gospel hall. On Friday evenings, the Christians gathered at Beatty’s corner to sing, and Mr. Draper or Mr. Hobourn would take turns preaching the gospel. In the summer months, they preached at the town dock for the benefit of boaters. This continued into the very early sixties. During the winter months, there was a gospel tract band, and tracts were sent to individuals, and into the surrounding towns and villages.
At some point, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce bought a large house on River Street, and donated a parcel of land, so that the Christians were able to build their own gospel hall. A building fund had begun in 1952 with a first donation of $30.00. For several winters, the Wednesday night meetings were held in Mr. Bruce’s home on account of cold weather, but after he died in 1955, they were held in the building on Miller Street.
(Pictured: Aubrey Dellandrea and Ben Widdifield)
1960 - Present
In the summer of 1960, the gospel hall was built. The general contractor was George Ryder, but Jim Gooley from Huntsville played a major role. In September, 1960, the first meeting in the new hall began with twenty-one believers, and the testimony has continued for over sixty years. The hall itself has undergone various renovations, and at present, different outreaches have been added, as well as the regular meetings, including community suppers and gym nights with the children. There are twenty-five believers in fellowship now. In total, the Lord has preserved His assembly in Parry Sound for over one hundred and thirty-five years. Blessed be His name!
Foreground: Bruce and Elma Cottrill. Evelyn and Clarence Draper in the doorway. Others unknown.
Changing the siding on the hall in the 1980’s
Ken McLeod, Frank Pearcy and George Shivas