Mission Hall

One day in November, 1895, a small group of Railwaymen knocked on the door of Hexham House in Northgate Street. They asked Mrs Arthur Ridley if she would form a Branch of the Railway Mission at Bury Station and act as its Superintendent. Meetings were commenced in the house, attached to the station, where Mr Cook, the Station Master, lived. Working closely with him and supported by a committee of Railwaymen known as the Mission Band, Mrs Ridley found attendance increasing week by week. Meetings were commenced for the wives and children. The Mission so prospered that more spacious accommodation became a necessity and money raising activities were begun - in the form of sales, bazaars, concerts, etc. The townsfolk, rich and poor alike, responded generously.

A hall to seat two hundred people was built by Mr W Hartrow, (Iron Building Worker, South Bermondsey) from corrugated iron with varnished matchboard lining, and with matching forms for seating. A rostrum was fitted up at one end and there was a spacious ante-room, or vestry, also kitchen accommodation.

The Hall was opened officially on Tuesday, 30th May, 1900, by his worship the Mayor, Councillor Thomas Shillitoe.

Many local town and church dignitaries were present; also the Assistant Superintendent of the Great Eastern Railway, Mr R. P. Ellis, and Assistant General Secretary of the Railway Mission, Mr Turner.

It was announced that the building had cost £317 - 7s - 7d, there being a deficiency of £50. Further events took place to raise money for the lighting and fitting up of the Hall.

By April 1901 the total cost, including furnishings, of £360-15s-2d had been covered.

A new American organ in oak was purchased and installed in 1902. The Choirmaster of St. Mary's, Mr G. W. Bouttell, gave a performance at its opening ceremony.

By 1903, it became necessary to extend the Hall by 10 ft. and build a 30 ft addition on the end for a Sunday School. The debt for this was cleared in 1905.

At the commencement of World War I, the Mission folk opened the building as a "Soldier's Rest" from 5:30 to 6:30 am and 4 to 10 pm each day. Refreshments were sold and writing materials provided in a quiet, peaceful atmosphere. The soldiers who were billeted in the homes around had to meet at "The Rink" opposite (the site of the present Tesco supermarket) to collect rations and for drill etc and they much appreciated this gesture.

The Hall has remained basically the same since those days. Several different organs have been purchased through the years and the present one is electronic, linked into a PA and recording system. Electric lighting was put in during 1923 and whole of the inside of the main Hall was scraped of its varnish in the late 1950's, by the young folk, and painted in emulsion.

Infra-red overhead heating has replaced the old coke stove. (The concrete base for the stove can still be seen on the left side of the Hall.) Ceiling fans give movement of air in hot weather.

A vestry and two cloakrooms have been constructed down one side of the Sunday School room. Other improvements include false ceilings in the two back rooms - to help conserve heat.

New, more comfortable seating, donated by the people of Westgate Church, when they refurbished their building, has replaced the old forms.