The Temperance Hall was originally built at the corner of Dufferin and Church streets sometime around 1859 - it was moved to this location in 1914 when Hon. Benj. Rogers built a new house at the corner. The Alberton Pioneer was published from here between 1876-1879 then it moved to Montague due to the outbreak of the smallpox epidemic and people were afraid to read the newspaper - later the newspaper moved to Summerside and is today known as the Journal-Pioneer. ( information cf. Alberton and Area: A Pictorial Experience Through Time, pg.62 )
Below are my photos from a few weeks ago.
Above: The old Temperance Hall - southeast view - left side faces towards Church Street.
Above: Gable Window on South side - none on north side.
The following are excerpts from Rev. R.W. Dyer's Journals where he references the Temperance Hall and some of the goings-on there.
September 11, 1859 ( Rev. Dyer has been in western PEI for about 2 weeks ) "Sabbath Day". After family prayer I baptised 3 children, 2 boys and one little girl, all belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Caie. They have been waiting a long time to get them baptised by a minister of the Church of England. This being done, they got their large room ready for Divine Service, and about 11 o'clock, the canencial hour for prayer, all the church people came. Some of them came 5 miles, others were nearer. Besides these there were many Presbyterians. I preached from Chapter 2 of Col. verse 6. They were all very attentive and, I hope, edified. This is the first service performed by a clergyman of the Episcopal Church for some years past. The people are delighted to have a dear Minister of their own amoung them. They are indeed thankful to the Society and the dear Bishop for sending them one. I have found as yet amoung all persons here unbounded kindness. Service being over, I hastened to take some dinner, and then posted off to Cascumpec, distance 10 miles, to conduct Service in the Temperance Hall (for they have yet no church). We commenced about 4 o'clock. I was glad to preach to such a large assembly for the place ‑ 160 ‑ though I could not reckon on all these, not a quarter of them as Episcopalians. Yet I could safely reckon on these sinners standing in need of a Saviour, and therefore I offered the Saviour to them all, assuring them that if they came to him, He would in no wise cast them out. I was glad to see many of the American fishermen present. God grant that the word spoken by the mouth of His servant may be like bread cast upon the waters, seen after many days.
December 25, 1859
Christmas Day. Tremendously cold, blowing and drifting. Went to the Temperance Hall, found no one
there. Set for some time till about 12
o'clock when a few, about 9, came, 2 of whom were females, Mrs. Fife and Mrs.
Woodman. Mrs. W. fainted away soon after
she came in. We sang the song of the
Angles, "While shepherds." and
then had the morning prayers and lessons for the day, but no sermon. Too cold to go to the village. Had service at home in the afternoon with my
own family.
July 21, 1861
Preached at Kildare
Bridge this morning. Had a very large
congregation. Returned to the Cross, preached
at the Hall. I am happy to report that
the Sunday School which has been established in the Temperance Hall increases
and goes on very pleasingly. May the
Lord bless the labour of the teachers.
March 10, 1864
Took tea this evening at
Mr. Thomas D.'s and went to the Temperance Hall to a Lecture on the South by a
Mr. Currie. Doctor Young, in the Chair,
who called on me to open the meeting by prayer.
Present, about 450. There
was a great deal of discussion.
February 12, 1865
Preached at the Hall this
morning, had a good congregation. I
preached form the 24th Chapter of Acts: Paul reasoned with Felix on temperance;
the sermon was all on temperance. The
people, I think, liked it. Went
to the Village in the afternoon; Jane Weeks went with me. We had a nice congregation. Mr. and Mrs. Gorrell not present, Mrs. G. is
sick.
July
6, 1865
Attended the Bazaar in
the Temperance Hall; it was a splendid sight.
It was well attended and passed off in the evening by a band of music.
October 19, 1874
In the evening we had an
Entertainment at the Temperance Hall, Alberton.
I was chairman and I gave an address to the audience, to about 170
persons. It was a complete success and realized about $16. Which sum is to be appropriate to lamps for
our church. It was very interesting, on
the whole. Persons who take part in the
Entertainment were: Mrs. Stewart, Miss Hallett, Harris, the 2 Misses Fielding,
the 2 Dyers, Doctor Stewart and G. Montgomery; it went off very well.
January 31, 1877
Went to call to see the
child. He is no better. Paid a few visits today at Alberton. Had quite a little party this afternoon Mr.
and Mrs. Carr and baby Mr. Lucas, Mr. & Mrs. Joe Dyer and Elora William and
the 2 Misses Humphreys. Had quite a
lively afternoon. Had some singing and
music. Went to the License Meeting of
..... The Temperance men gained the
day. They had a majority of 8 or 10
thank God. May the Temperance Cause
prosper. I voted and so did Mr. Carr and
Mr. Lucas.
February 1, 1877
Called to see the sick child
this afternoon. Had prayers in the house
present Mrs. Smallman mother and Captain Hubbard. Captain Hubbard has cut his foot badly. Called at another place or two and had came
home. Roads bad for walking. Sent my last part of my Report for 1876 on
Monday last the 29th ulto. I
hope that it will get home safely. There
is a Caucas meeting tonight at Mr. Rogers’ to consider the Temperance Cause to
try to put down all the Taverns. I am
too tired to go. They won’t expect me.
February 2, 1877
Champion, B., and Alden Clark
round getting petitions signed to put a stop of any of the Tavern Keepers to
renew their Licenses when out. It is
signed by nearly 80 which is more than 2/3 of the District. I signed all 4 Whites, Gladneys, Tuplins,
Wallaces. A good work I hope that all
Liquor Trade will be stopped at any rate it will be checked.
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