The Ashfield Gospel Hall (a bible-based, non-denominational Christian assembly) has roots reaching back over one hundred years. Before 1920 approximately twelve families from Narol, Gonor, Lockport and St. Andrews began meeting regularly as “Christians gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Meetings have been held continuously on Sundays and Wednesdays dating from these early days. During those first years, meetings were held at the St. Andrews home of Miss Mowatt.

During the 1920s some of the members who lived in the Narol/Gonor area would walk across the Red River during the winter months when the ice had formed. Sunday School children enjoyed these trips as they would be pulled on sleighs. In those days, folks did not own cars or trucks, so the use of a homemade, flat-bottomed boat was a great help in cutting down the travel time to and from meetings during the warmer months. The only alternative was a three-mile detour on foot over the Lockport Bridge.

As time went on, meetings moved to the house of Adam McDonald, which stood at the junction of Donald and River Roads. Gatherings continued at this location until Mr. McDonald passed away. Adam McDonald Memorial Cemetery is named for this faithful man of God. The cemetery is located in Gonor on land donated by Mr. William Flett, another assembly member.

On special occasions, meetings were held at Mr. Flett’s home, which was also located on the east side of the river in Gonor. A list of individuals originally associated with Ashfield Gospel Hall in those early days would include the families of Steve Fegol, William Flett, George Harris, John Kreviaziuk, Adam McDonald, and Ben Roberts. Miss Mowatt, Ada Peebles and several of the Homenick children were also members.

Following many years of meeting in homes, and as the group continued to grow, it was determined that a hall should be constructed. In 1940, Ge

orge Harris and John Homenick continued offering their homes (both of which were in Ashfield, MB) for meetings as the hall was constructed nearby in its current locations. The building was completed in 1941. During the excavation of the basement and foundation, it was discovered that a very large rock outcropping (typical of the Canadian Shield) was below the surface of the ground. This had to be blasted away to accommodate the basement’s construction. One of the remnants of this massive stone shelf remains in front of the hall as a memorial with the names of those early members and with the inscription, “and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” (Matthew 7:25)

Of those individuals originally associated with Ashfield Gospel Hall, all have either moved or passed away. Over the years, however, many others have joined in happy fellowship at the Ashfield assembly, which continues to grow and benefit from solid, biblical teaching.