Who Was Susan Bennetto?

MARCH 2020 | VOLUME 3 | [email protected] | WWW.NORTHENDBREEZES.COM | @NORTHENDBREEZES | FACEBOOK.COM/NORTHENDBREEZES name? Well… I knew it used to be called WHO WAS SUSAN Centennial and that a generation after it had been built it was amalgamated with its neighboring middle school, ‘Bennet- BENNETTO? to’. But who was Bennetto? I assumed it SUBMITTED BY FRANCESCA ALFANO, was a stuffy old Superintendent. That trip BENNETTO TEACHER to Reggio Emilia where students had re- searched their namesake and written about it made me curious. I started with a google search and then a dove into the Hamilton – Wentworth School Board Archives and the City of Hamilton archives housed in the Hamilton Public Library. The records are quite interesting. Our namesake, Susan Bennetto, had a re- markable career. Born in England in 1850 and immigrating to the great port city of Hamilton shortly afterward she grew up with a seamstress mother and carpenter father on Cannon Street. By the age of 17 she graduated with a First Class teaching certificate and earned an impressive $200 A brief history: The New Horizons Thrift per year. Establishing a strong reputation, WALKABOUT COMMUNITY: Store has been a the staple “to go to” thrift she was assigned to Canada’s first graded shop which was established here in Hamil- public school, Central School on Hunter ton’s North End since the late 1970’s until On a recent trip to my ancestral homeland, Street West. Susan E. Bennetto left Ham- NEW HORIZONS January of 2008 when ownership was tak- Italy, I had the opportunity to visit early ilton briefly and returned to find out that SUBMITTED BY KEN HIRTER en over by the Welcome Inn Community childhood centres and schools working in a new school was being erected on the Center. the Reggio Emilia Approach. Child cen- northeast corner of Picton and Catharine This month’s Walkabout finds me at one It was there where l sat down with the tered, self-directed and constructivist in Street – because she was capable and am- of my favorite thrift shops along the delightful, energetic shopkeeper Amanda nature, these schools were inspiring in ev- bitious she applied and succeeded in win- James Street North strip, the New Hori- Stafford, a proud Northender for the past ery way. It was not possible to gloss past ning a position as “head teacher” – a po- zons Thrift Store; “The shop with the 7 years, residing here with her husband even the simple things – the outdoors was sition that no woman before her had held. bright inviting yellow double doors”. brought in for study, the custodians and David and children Adelaide & Harrison. By 1888, at the age of 38, she held the po- Upon entering the doors you will find cooks welcomed visitors along with the Amanda’s role is Social Enterprise Coor- sition of Principal and held that position a treasure trove from clothing, home principal and teachers. Every school I en- dinator of New Horizons Thrift Store, The for more than 30 years. By 1920, a year decor, kitchen needs, a book nook plus tered had intentional signage that helped motto here which applies to the Welcome after her death, a 10 room addition was much, much more. There are also retro, you understand how the school had been Inn Community Center as well is :”Living added to the Picton Street School and the funky vintage finds – all found under one named. It made me start to wonder about Well Together” my own school. I teach at Bennetto Pub- school was renamed Bennetto School in roof. So cool. her honour. lic School. What did I know about its CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 Brusey Awnings / Just a shade better Jason Farr Councillor, Ward 2 - Downtown ALWAYS ENGAGING 71 Main Street West Between You And The Sun Since 1929! Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y5 Telephone: 905-546-2711 497 Hughson Street North, Hamilton Fax: 905-546-2535 E-mail: [email protected] L8L 4N8 www.jasonfarr.com 905Ask-522 for-5625/905 Rick Brusey-522-5881 905-522-5625 20 Hughson St. S., Suite 200, Hamilton, Ontario L8N 2A1 905-544-9644 | [email protected] PAGE 2 | MARCH 2020 | THE BREEZES THE BAPTIST CHURCH SUBMITTED BY BRIAN ROULSTON The term “Baptist” is a name given to Christians who were baptized after they have made a public profession of faith as adults. The earliest Baptists in Ontario moved into the area following the American Rev- olution in 1812. Some of them were Unit- ed Empire Loyalists while others were American Baptists. In 1842, a census revealed that there were 19,623 Baptists in Upper (Ontario) and Lower (Quebec) Canada. The first Baptist churches in Ontario were Caldwell’s Manor in Eastern Township 1794 and Beamsville First Baptist Church in either 1776 or 1807. This is according to the book “The Baptist Heritage” written by H. Leon McBeth. Apparently there are no conclusive records to show that Beamsville Church existed in 1776, al- though if there is documentation out there to prove it, this church could very well be the oldest Baptist church in Canada. Today, being a Pastor is a full time calling to preach, teach, counsel, train and coor- dinate ministries as well as plant churches and perhaps organize missions overseas. Prior to 1881 there was no place to for- mally train pastors. McMaster University was founded originally as a Baptist institution in 1881. It joined together the two older institutions of Woodstock College and Toronto Bap- tist College. Initially, it trained many of the pastors in the area at the time. A new 500 student university campus was established in Hamilton in 1930, unfortunate- we know today as Hughson Street Baptist More recently Hughson Street Baptist location at CityKidz Ministry Center on ly, by 1951 it became evident that Baptist Church. Originally, the building was built Church faced closure in the early 1990’s Burlington St. City Kidz will be used resources alone would not be enough to by Anglicans as a school between 1860- because of its aging congregation. At the until a brand new church facility at 500 keep the university going financially. The 1870. It was constructed from blocks of time many of its followers were around 80 James St is ready to receive followers in facility then became non-denominational. Eramosa Dolomite and Whirlpool sand- years old. The church needed to engage the summer. The church is thriving, still stone, a popular type of stone that was younger people in order to carry on the offering weekday programs for the youth The James St. Baptist church became quarried along the base of the escarpment work of the church. A Pastor named Pete and children of the neighbourhood, Cof- Hamilton’s mother church in 1843. Four between Hamilton and Dundas during the Wright joined the church and he reached fee’s On drop-in for neighbours, Christ- missionary churches were created under latter part of the 1800’s. These quarries of many of the North End’s youth through mas Hampers with it’s Toy Shop, and the her; Wentworth Street Baptist Church Eramosa have long been exhausted, back sports such as soccer and basketball. Pas- foundational Sunday church services and 1890,Trinity Baptist Church 1883, Her- filled and are now covered with homes tor Dwayne Cline joined the church not other activities. kimer Street Baptist Church (Stanley Ave and businesses. There was a short time long after and he learned well from Pete Baptist Church) 1889 and in the North after serving as school and before being Wright by carrying on with the sports. A The project at 500 James will also pro- End, Northern Baptist Church in 1887 a church that it was a residence for sailors Kids Club was established for students vide affordable, supportive housing with which was often referred to as the Fergu- docking in Hamilton. from Kindergarten through grade 5. They 45 apartment units in partnership with son Baptist Church because of its location played games, socialized, heard and read Indwell Housing. Indwell is well-known at Ferguson Ave. and Ferrie St. Pastor Bracken led Northern Baptist bible stories and of course played sports. in Hamilton as an provider of this kind Church through the purchase of the old of housing. Watch for the opening of all Northern Baptist Church would soon be Parishioners got involved in tutoring and school for $2,100 ($47,000 today) and some local businesses donated non-per- this sometime after July this year. When considered too small. Hamilton’s popu- organized the remodeling. The “NEW” the new church opens it’s present staff, lation flourished as a result of the arrival ishable foods. All of this had a positive Hughson Street Baptist Church even effect on what was once the third poorest Dwayne Cline, Paul Harvercroft, Ma- of The Great Western railroad and hydro bought back the original frame building cio Silva, Derek Hisson, Diana Crosby, electric power which powered the new neighborhood in Canada. The parish went from the new owners of the old mission from just 35 followers during Sunday Deanna Spoelstra, Jamie Iles and Jenna factories that brought in new workers. on Ferguson Ave. It was re-assembled as Smith will be eagerly waiting to see you The mission church was perceived to be services to over 180. Today many of the an addition onto the old school. February church events and services are scattered on James Street. both too far east and north to be consid- 21, 1909 was move-in day for Hughson ered practical.

Load more