Sutherland Hall
From Kaikorai Presbyterian Church Diamond Jubilee Souvenir 1928 booklet
'Sutherland Hall'
The Wee Folks' Sunday School
Photograph from Kaikorai Presbyterian Church Diamond Jubilee Souvenir 1928
Some few years ago all arrangements were made for the building of a five-roomed house, but after the work had been partially completed a halt was called and for a time work ceased altogether. Then a great change came. Somebody had seen that the position was admirably adapted for a model infant's Sunday School to be managed on Kindergarten lines. The owner was approached and he agreed to adapt the building to the needs of little children. Suitable classrooms and cloakrooms with the necessary accompanying decorations were constructed and thus came into being the "Hepburn" (named after the first Superintendent), "Rose," "Violet." and "Beatrice" rooms (named after the Manse children) to provide accommodation for the little folk who had been inadequately provided for in the old school. In this manner Sutherland Hall came into the possession of the Kaikorai congregation as a "Temple unto the Lord" wherein many little children might become "gems of His Kingdom."
The people of the congregation, warmed to the gift and provided money for the fittings and furniture — quite a number of the wee chairs being gifts from mothers and friends of the children. Miss Christie was one of the happiest of superintendents on the occasion of its opening and dedication (in September, 1920) by Professor Davies, the Revs. R. R. M. Sutherland, and W. R. Hutchison. The little folk ( now about 13 to 17 years of age) look back upon the opening and social as red letter days in their little lives. From the day of opening the hall has proved a means of great blessing for Sunday school work and for daily Kindergarten work under the free Kindergarten Association, to whom the Church Court grants the use of it free of charge. Happy are the present superintendents, Misses Begg and Telfer with their fine staff of young girl teachers. They all take a great pride and interest in their work for the children. Each year some 20 or more children are moved up to the junior room in the big Sunday School under Miss Winnie Bartlett.
Until the year 1920, the infant department of Kaikorai Presbyterian Church Sunday School was held in the prayer meeting room. There were so many little ones that no room was available for divisions or classes and one teacher had to manage the department. But when Sutherland Hall became our property, mainly through the great generosity of two members, all that was changed and the work was henceforth carried on, on more modern lines. Children's chairs, pictures, piano, sand-trays and other apparatus were gathered, Church members gladly donating a good many of these necessities. Miss Jeanie Duff became the willing Secretary and so kindly attended to all the little ones that she was greatly beloved, while Miss N. Williamson did splendid work with the older pupils, her discipline here was most helpful, especially with those who were ready for more advanced teaching. Mrs. Rust took charge of the cradle roll, and was a most enthusiastic worker. When she left the district Mrs. Gracie took her place, her cradle work and visits to the mothers are greatly appreciated.
Every year Sutherland Hall sent a good number of scholars to the junior school and also two teachers to keep up the staff in the main school. The infant room teachers were usually recruited from her Bible Class. Here I must pay a tribute to Mrs. Todd, she never sent us a poor worker, but only those whom she had thoroughly prepared, and who were earnest Christians. The various leaders of the boys' Bible class gave us two fine lads yearly, than whom none could possibly be better. Times change, and now under Miss Rene Begg and Miss Telfer, quite 70 little ones delight to come weekly to their pleasant Kindergarten surroundings, where kind young teachers care for them and give them instruction in the most modern methods. Thus Sutherland Hall has been, and still is, a great asset and blessing to Kaikorai Presbyterian Church.
J. C. C.
Note: During the week the building was used for the Kaikorai Free Kindergarten. >>>>> next page