Canton Street.

The history of Canton Street Hall goes back to 20th February 1899, when a lady called, Sarah Jane McCullough commenced meetings in 29 Canton Street, at the corner of Hamberg Street.

Some members from the newly formed McQuiston Memorial Presbyterian Church helped to set up the house for her to live in and also to use as a place to work with children. She was seen as the first caretaker and missionary to those children.

Subsequently 27 Canton Street was renovated to enable the two houses to be developed into bigger premises. Around the period 1911/1912 the members of McQuiston Memorial funded the project to build a proper Hall for mission activities. This was then opened on 7th April 1912 by Rev. G. Thompson and was known as McQuiston Hall initially.

Mr Samuel Waddell was appointed to be the first full-time Missionary, remaining for 7-8 years.

In 1920 Mr John Cunningham took up the role as Missionary. Mr Cunningham was to become the longest serving Missionary in the area, serving until retirement in 1971. Over 50 years of service and he is still fondly remembered still by the older folks in the district still today.

Since Mr Cunningham there have been other Missionaries who have served the Lord in Canton Street, including:

Mr Andrew Orr,

Mr. James Davidson,

Mr. Robin Fairburn,

Mr Robert Stevenson,

Mr. Robert Brown,

Mr Eddie Kelso,

Mr. Alan. J. Martin

Mr. Michael Waddell

The current Missionary is Mr David Bisset, who transferred after a period of service in Island Street.

The work from 1899 continues over 120 years later. We give God the Glory for all that has been done throughout these years, knowing also that He will continue to bless the work in the future.