Since the hall was first erected by a team of volunteers in 1976, the building has been a focal point for the community, used to bring people together for all sorts of occasions.

While it was built on a piece of land owned by the Anglican Diocese, it was volunteers who ran it over the years, ensuring routine maintenance was performed and organizing the fundraisers needed to pay for said maintenance.

On Saturday evening, the community came together at Bethany Hall to celebrate a new chapter for its cherished gathering place, which the Municipality of Alleyn-et-Cawood bought from the Diocese last fall.

Before serving up a spaghetti supper organized as part of the municipality’s 150th anniversary celebrations, Mayor Sidney Squitti shared a few words about the hall’s significance in the community.

“Built in 1976 by the hands of community members, Bethany Hall stands as a testament to what can be accomplished when people come together. Residents donated their time, their resources, and even building materials,” said Squitti, addressing those gathered for the occasion.

“Today we gather not only to share a meal, but to celebrate something much deeper: the official ownership of Bethany Hall, now proudly named the Centre Communautaire Danford Lake Community Centre.”

She said the church’s ownership of the building made it impossible for the Bethany Hall volunteer committee to apply for provincial grants needed to fund larger renovations, including an accessibility ramp and updated lighting, and that municipal ownership will make this much easier.

Squitti noted the management of the hall will stay in the hands of the volunteer committee, to which she gave special thanks as the driving force behind keeping the hall’s doors open.

“Through yard sales, bake sales, spaghetti suppers and hall rentals for both private and community events, you ensured Bethany Hall remained active, vibrant, and financially sustainable. You are the reason this hall has always been available to the community.”

In attendance to celebrate this moment were sisters-in-law Irma and Diana Peck. Side by side, these two women have volunteered hundreds of hours in the hall’s kitchen since it first opened.

“Our two stoves were right together, and Diana would look after one stove and me the other,” Irma said.

“We had fun,” Diana laughed. “We were both married in the ‘60s so we’ve been here all our lives. Well, we came from different little towns.”

In the early days the women would cook the turkeys in their home ovens because the hall had yet to be equipped with a bigger kitchen.

“The cottagers would come to the turkey suppers every fall,” Irma said. “Like one year we had 400 people here.”

“I think it was 411, if I’m not mistaken,” Diana clarified.

Irma said she was happy to see the hall’s ownership transferred to the municipality, but still felt attached to its original name.

The municipality has changed the official name of the hall to the Danford Lake Community Centre because under Quebec law, municipal buildings can have no religious affiliations.

While the building now carries its new name on its front face, to Irma’s great relief, the original “Bethany Hall” lettering that once welcomed community members has been moved inside to the wall above its stage.

“The icing on the cake was when I came in and saw ‘Bethany Hall’ [on the wall]. I was told last week that that sign could not be put in here. So [seeing it up today] made my day,” she said.

In her closing remarks, Squitti honoured the hall’s original name.

“Yes, the sign now reads Centre Communautaire Danford Lake Community Centre, but in our hearts, I believe it will always remain Bethany Hall.”

The sign above the front doors of the hall carries its new name, Centre Communautaire Danford Lake Community Centre, while its former ‘Bethany Hall’ sign is now on display inside.

Councillor Angela Giroux tests the spaghetti before serving it.

Irma Peck (left) and Diana Peck (right) have volunteered hundreds of hours cooking feasts and hosting parties at the hall since it first opened its doors in 1976.

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