Western Bay Gospel Hall, NF

From BrethrenPedia

[edit] History

Stanley Beasley labored along the eastern shore about 120 miles north of St. John’s. He had done evangelistic work there while in the Navy from 1942 to 1946, and when he left the Navy he returned to the area to labor. Mr. Beasley was joined by others at various times. Bob and Helen McLaren worked in the area from 1950 to [1952]]. James Booker from Ontario and his wife worked from 1952 to [[1954]. James and Betty Stahr, commended from New Jersey, joined forces with Mr. Beasley from about 1954 to 1958. Bob and Sharon Johnson came from 1966 to 1968, and Alex and Jean Stephenson, commended from Ontario, worked from 1969 to 1979. Jim and Elizabeth Paul came from Scotland to work from 1980 to 1981.

By 1955, three assemblies were functioning about 18 miles apart. They met in the Burnt Point Gospel Hall, NF, Old Perlican Gospel Hall, NF, and Western Bay Gospel Hall, NF. Each hall could seat about 100 and had self-contained apartments for workers. In each village the assemblies had their own cemetery. Through giving out tons of clothing and helping in all possible ways, including suturing up people, horses, and cows, the brethren broke down much of the violence and bitterness against the Gospel.

In the 1980s, the three assemblies merged, meeting in Burnt Point and led by Andrew Pottle. The Burnt Point Gospel Hall, NF continues today. The building in Western Bay was sold, and the building in Old Perlican was closed.