Hamilton and
the generous donations of his brother, Robert Hamilton, and other members
of the family, have been mainly instrumental in enlarging and decorating
this building. Close by, is the new French Protestant Church. We shall
close this short sketch with a mention of the "Quebec Protestant Burying
Ground," originally bought by the Government of the Province of Quebec,
from the heirs of St. Simon, partly on the 9th December, 1771, and partly
on the 22nd August, 1778. In the year 1823, Lord Dalhousie made a grant of
this ground to the "Trustees of the Protestant Burying Ground," in whose
hands it has remained until the 19th May,, 1860, when the cemetery was
declared closed by the 23rd Vict., chap. 70. Major Thomas Scott, Pay-
master of the 70th Regiment, a brother to Sir Walter, was buried here in
1823. Major Thomas Scott was at one time charged with having written
"Rob Roy." And next to St. John Gate, looms out the handsome new
building of the Y. M. C. A Association facing the new Montcalm Market.
ASSOCIATION HALL.
"The first Young Men's Christian Association in this city was
organized about twenty years ago, but it soon collapsed, having run
into debt. A second attempt resulted in the formation of another
Association in 1867, which was also a failure. The present Association
was established in January, 1870. It had a very small beginning - five
young men met in a merchant's office in the Lower Town for prayer and
conference and they formed the nucleus of the present Association.
John C. Thomson, Esq., now President of the Association, a gentleman
well known for his active interest in all good works, was one of the
five. Soon after this prayer meeting, a canvass was made among young
men, and 150 names obtained. Henry Fry Esq., merchant, was elected
first President, and Mr. W. Ahern, Secretary. For three years the
Association occupied rooms over the hardware store of Messrs. Belanger
& Gariepy, Fabrique street, and, in 1873, removed to the rooms above
Mr. McLeod's drug store, which it vacated to enter upon an enlarged
sphere of labour in its elegant new building. It is admirably
situated, facing the Montcalm market."
"In October 1875, a delegation of Y. M. C. A. workers visited this
city, including Messrs. Crombie, Budge, Cole, &c. The revival services
which followed their visit will still be fresh in the memory of our
readers. Two results, both fraught with very great importance to the
Association, followed their visit. One was the engagement of Mr. T. S.
Cole as permanent Secretary, the other was the development of a scheme
for the construction of a building to be specially adapted, and
regularly set apart for the use of the Association. On a memorable
Monday evening in October, 1877, in the Methodist Church in this city,
the scheme was first publicly discussed. At this meeting some $5,000
was subscribed, and the canvass next day resulted in large additions
to the above. Up to the present, $19,000 have been subscribed towards
the structure, and over $15,000 paid in, including the proceeds of the
ladies' bazaar last year (1879).
"The site of the building, one of the most valuable, and certainly one
of the most eligible for the purpose in the city was obtained by
purchase from the Dominion Government by auction in the month of
January, 1878. The plans for the building were secured by competition,
the successful architect being Mr. J. F. Peachy. The cost of the whole
building, when completed, will be $40,000, but at present only the
front portion has been erected. The back wing will be commenced when a
few thousand dollars more have been subscribed towards it. It is to
contain the gymnasium below, and above a large hall 100 feet by 56,
with seating accommodation for 700 people on the floor and 300 in the
galleries. This hall will be furnished with an independent entrance
from Glacis street, twelve feet wide. The lot upon which the present
building is erected contains 21,000 square feet, being 186 feet in
depth, and having a frontage on St. John street of 106 feet. The front
building covers the whole extent of frontage and has a depth of 50
feet. It is built of stone and brick, the whole front being stone and
cut glass. It contains three flats including the mansard. Over the
main entrance is an open Bible, upon which is engraved Matt. XXIII.,
8. Above the centre Window in raised letters in stone, are the words
"Quebec Young Men's Christian Association, 1879." Immediately behind
the front structure is a small building which forms a room for the
daily prayer meeting. It may be reached from Glacis street, and also
by a staircase leading down to it from the entrance hall of the main
building."
"The lower part of the edifice has been fitted up as stores. The main
entrance to Association Hall, in the middle of the front, is by a
spacious staircase twelve feet wide, at the foot of which are elegant
double swinging doors with plate glass. Beneath this stairway is the
heating apparatus, which has been placed in the building by Mr. Thomas
Andrews, of St. John street, and is on an entirely new and highly
approved principle. The whole second flat, is set apart for
Association use. One-half of it composes the reading room. This
magnificent apartment which is one of the finest reading rooms on the
Continent, is 45 by 46 feet, having a height of 18 feet, with windows
on three sides, the balcony window on the North overlooking the whole
of the country between St. Roch's and the Laurentian Mountains.
Opposite the top of the stairway on the landing of this flat, is the
door leading to the Secretary's room, which is fitted with glass, in
order that the Secretary may see everybody coming up stairs into the
reading room or elsewhere.
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