The Little Mission That Grew
The early Years of Philpott Memorial Church and her founder, Dr. P.W. (Peter Wiley) Philpott
As Philpott Memorial Church enters thesecond century of its witness in Hamilton, it is important to reflect back on the firsthundred years. There are many lessons to be learned from the dedicated service of thepastors and the people who have served the Lord here since 1892. The principle of Christcrucified, risen, and coming again has always formed the basis for the ministry atPhilpott Memorial Church. During times of growth and economic and spiritual prosperity, aswell as in times of difficulty, the faith of the believers and the leading of the HolySpirit have been the impetus for the work to continue.
The early history of Philpott MemorialChurch depicts a work founded as a result of one man's dedication to the principles of theLord. But, it is also the story of the willingness of a small group of believers tosacrifice for the Lord's work.
Dr. Peter Wiley Philpott's ability toinspire this dedication in this small group of believers was perhaps one of his greatestgifts.
P.W. Philpott was the first Canadian tohold the rank of Brigadier in the Salvation Army. While serving in the Salvation Army, hecame under the influence of the preaching of the great revivalists, Dwight L. Moody, A.T.Pierson and A.J. Gordon. After nine years with the Army, Mr. Philpott felt that the Lordwas leading him into a new sphere of work.
Immediately after he handed in hisresignation to the Army, a group of Toronto businessmen, namely, Mayor Howland, Mr. JohnSalmon, and Dr. John Sterling contacted him about taking on the position of administratorfor the Christian Workers' Missions. This was to be a group of churches, self-governingand self-supporting, to be set up in London, Toronto and Oshawa. It became obvious thatsuch a work was also needed in Hamilton. Encouraged by his wife, Jessie, Mr. Philpottagreed to accept the position. This was a real step of faith as the Philpott's already hadfive children.
In October 1892, P. W. Philpott gathered asmall group of believers in Hamilton who began meeting in a rented hall at the north-eastcorner of King and MacNab streets. Mr. James Desson became their first pastor. Afterministering to the group for two years, Mr. Desson was called to the pastorate of aBaptist Church in Leith, Ontario.
Mr. Philpott put Dr. Herbert MacKenzie incharge of the little congregation. The congregation grew quickly. Some of our earlymissionaries were led to the Lord at this time.
It became apparent that a larger meetingplace was needed. Mr. Philpott, in his position as administrator of the Christian Workers'Missions, negotiated for the lease of the St. James Hotel on Hughson Street North nearKing William Street. The monthly rent was $20, an astronomical sum in the minds of thecongregation. However, Mr. Philpott pointed out that the minister could live in the roomsabove the former saloon and that other rooms could be rented. On Friday May 31, 1895, Mr.Philpott preached the opening service in the new hall.
When Dr. MacKenzie received a call to theLondon branch of the Christian Workers' Missions, Mr. Gurney became pastor of the smallcongregation for a few months.
After Mr. Gurney's resignation, theHamilton Mission became deeply in debt. In fact, the organ was repossessed at this time!The minutes reveal that a General Board Meeting was called to approve the purchase of abroom and dustpan.
Under these conditions, Pastor and Mrs.Philpott came to the Hamilton Mission with the thought of straightening out the financesand securing a new leader. Crowds gathered and numerous souls were converted under Mr.Philpott's ministry. The Lord's blessing was evident as the debts were paid and theoutlook became ever more hopeful. The congregation was so impressed that a call was givento Mr. Philpott to be their pastor. Commencing his ministry on October 16, 1896 heremained for 26 years as Pastor.
In July, 1897, the place of worship wasmoved to a hall on James Street South, near the Merchants' Bank, for an annual rent of$250. This place could accommodate only 300 people, and from the very beginning, numbershad to be turned away. It was at this time that it was decided to change the name to'Gospel Mission'.
Ruth Philpott Collins, one of Dr. and Mrs.Philpott's thirteen children recounted many early memories in a letter sent to PastorStein on the occasion of the 75th Anniversary. "I was only four when my father stoodme up on a table in the first James Street Mission to sing to the down and out on thewooden benches, - I sang Yes, Jesus Loves Me. She also described the dedication and faithof the tiny band of believers who worked diligently and saw the Lord bless their efforts."Small as I was, I recall that first earnest little band of workers who had steppedout of the Salvation Army on faith--and found the Rock beneath, Rolfe, Desson, McKenzie,Fisher and others, - I recall them all, such fine earnest young men who should be reckonednow among the great in Canadian church history....There were people like dear old EdTovell, George Brown, Sergeant Pinch, Fred Haynes, little Mrs. Green, Libby Carter, Mr.Crabtree, - they were an amazing, loyal dedicated group."
Mr. and Mrs. George and Priscilla Roberts,the parents of Myrtle Sillery, charter members of the Gospel Mission were two otherdedicated workers faithful to God and the Work early in the history of our church. Mr.Roberts served as an elder for many years. He was also the church caretaker for a time.
In less than two years the congregationwas once again looking for a new home. This time it was decided to rent the MacNab StreetBaptist Church, then vacant, on MacNab near Cannon Street. They began meeting here in June1898. In July 1898, to accommodate the large numbers of people who were having to beturned away from the evening services, Mr. Philpott decided to inquire into thepossibility of renting the Star Theatre. This was a burlesque theatre, which couldaccommodate 1,000 to 1,200 people. The building was located on Merrick Street (YorkBoulevard) near James Street.
The owner, Mr. Webber Bessey, a kindlyman, offered the use of this building, charging no rent for it at this time. He suggestedthe offerings from these evening services should be directed to the building of a newchurch. In May 1901, the board made an offer to Webber Bessey to have full control of theStar theatre for June, July and August as well as Sundays during May for $100 and for thewinter months at $30 per month.
During the early years of this Mission, itwas evident that the Lord could perform mighty works in many diverse locations. Serviceshad been held at the Star Theatre for a time, the Y.M.C.A. for a few months and placecalled Maccabers Hall. The Tuesday and Friday evening services were held in CarolineStreet Mission for a few months while the Christian Workers were completing their ownbuilding.
A real step of faith was taken whenproperty was bought at the corner of Park and Merrick Streets (York Boulevard) for $1,800from Mrs. Charlotte Henderson. The rent from three stores on the site of the presentChurch provided a further source of income that helped pay off the debt.
December 15, 1901 was a memorable day inthe history of the church, now called the "The Gospel Tabernacle". Thecongregation finally moved into a home of their own, costing $6,000. Notes in the OfficialBoard Record indicate that "Pastor John Salmon, known as the "Father" ofour churches, preached the opening sermon....The church was packed and many turned. Thisbuilding later became known as the Lecture Hall and was used for Sunday School. It is nowMissionary Hall. However, the new building was soon filled to capacity at every service.It was apparent that an even larger building was needed.
On July 3, 1906, the corner stone was laidfor the $30,000 building which is our present church. Mrs. Philpott had been selected bythe congregation to lay the corner stone. The silver trowel that was used for thisoccasion had been made from the mutilated coins from the offerings. Mrs. Philpott remindedthe 400 people present that in spite of building a more commodious building she hoped theywould still remain humble and it would ever be a home with open doors for the poor and theworking man. The corner stone contains the usual coins of the realm, evening citynewspapers, a calendar with a list of the church committees, the covenant of the churchand a list of the church members at the time. Rev. John Salmon from Toronto prayed andPastor Philpott spoke briefly. This information was reported in the Hamilton newspapers.The architect who designed the building was J. Rastrick.
Editorial Note: The architect for the church was actually Charles Mills. The Hamilton Spectator, Tuesday, May 15, 1906, p.4. Article on Christian Worker's Church "(Gospel Tabernacle Church) designed by Charles Mills, using steel, to be built on Parke and Merrick, of Grecian architecture." and the Hamilton Spectator, Wednesday, June 06, 1906, p.10. "Building Permit issued for the construction of the new Christian Worker's Church (Gospel Tabernacle Church) designed by Charles Mills, to cost $30,000..."
Even the new building, which could hold1,600 people, 250 more than any other church in the city, was still not adequate toaccommodate all the people wishing to attend. As a result, evening services were held inLoew's Capitol Theatre which accommodated 2,500 people. With the addition of 300 extrachairs, people were still turned away.
Mr. Philpott left the church in 1922 tominister at Moody Memorial Church in Chicago.
A commitment to Missions has always beenan integral part of the work of this church. When Dr. Philpott moved to Chicago, he leftbehind a network of missions established and sponsored by Philpott Tabernacle. Theseincluded City Mission and Freeman Mission (Burlington). West Hamilton Mission, establishedin 1916, originally under the leadership of Mr. Philpott, continued to grow under thedirection of W. Thompson. Because it was too far for people to come into Hamilton in orderto attend evening services, Winona Mission, now Winona Gospel Church, was established in1912. This work was started under of Mr. Watt. Mr. A. Norman was the first pastor thiswork. By 1920 an addition had to be built to accommodate the crowds and a parsonage wasalso built. Winona Mission was also supporting Mr. Henry Sandercock a missionary in Africaat this time.
The Gospel Tabernacle was approached in1918 about starting a mission in Niagara Falls. James N. Miller was placed in charge ofthis work.
On January 1, 1922, Lake Gospel Church hadits inception as a mission of the Gospel Tabernacle.
Later other missions sprang up in Dundasand at Bridgeview on York Road. Bartonville Mission, now Faith Gospel Church, wasadministered by the Tabernacle for a time.
The Tabernacle support of foreignmissionaries has been a constant aspect of the work. Rev. and Mrs. David McKee were thepioneer missionaries, going to India. On December 16, 1901, a large number of our peoplemet at the C.P.R. Depot and bade farewell to Mr. and Mrs. David McKee. Rev. and Mrs.Thomas Titcombe were missionaries to British West Africa (Nigeria) very early in the workof Philpott Tabernacle. In 1908, Rev. Titcombe sailed for Africa. At this time, the Westcoast of Africa was known as the "white man's grave." Miss Helen Bushfieldsailed for India in the same year. The 25th Anniversary Book records that on October 21,1921, Miss Mabel Harrowell was on her to way to China and that Mr. Thomas Miller had beensent out to Africa supported by the Sunday School.
Prior to 1918, ministers and missionarieshad to be ordained by some other recognized denomination. In 1918, the Christian Workers'Church of Canada was granted a charter by the government of the Dominion of Canada. Thischarter stated that "the directors are empowered to organize and carry on the work ofthe body hitherto known and still to be known as the Christian Workers' Church of Canadaand for the establishment and government of branches of the said church throughoutCanada...and elsewhere."
In 1922, Dr. Philpott had suggested thatthe name of the Christian Workers' Missions should be officially changed to The AssociatedGospel Churches of Canada. At the Annual Conference of the Associated Christian Workers'Church Inc. held in November 1924, it was decided to change the name to the AssociatedGospel Churches because there were certain other groups of people using the name of"Christian Workers" who were not sound doctrinally but yet who had been usingthe name before the "Christian Workers " had been incorporated under it and who,therefore, could not be prevented from continuing to use the name.
As a lasting recognition of thecontribution that Dr. Philpott had made to the Gospel Tabernacle in Hamilton, the name ofthe church was changed to Philpott Tabernacle at a congregational meeting on May 11, 1926.Following the death of Dr. Philpott in 1957, the Board decided to change the nameimmediately to "Philpott Memorial Church" hoping to forestall the appropriationof the name by any other church.
