In the mid 1890’s, Mr David Wight, a Glasgow tea merchant who was well known over many years for his “Wight’s Dandy Tea”, moved from Kilmacolm to Bridge of Weir. His home, known then as “Hermon Hill”, was situated in Bankend Road.

In 1897 he was responsible for the erection of a building, the purpose of which was to be a base for the preaching of the gospel and for the teaching of the truth contained in the Bible.  This building, which consisted of a wooden frame covered in corrugated iron sheeting, cost £80 to erect on the Main Street, on ground rented from the railway company, next to the garage which sits today opposite Somerfield. It was in use for over eighty years until it was demolished in 1978 on the building of a new hall, which is situated behind Robert Campbell, Electricians, in the Main Street.

From the beginning the preaching of the gospel was carried on regularly. Every Sunday evening saw the Sunday night gospel meeting in progress. On various occasions other evangelists came and continued preaching for a number of weeks in the Hall.

When men and women believe the gospel and put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, their lives are changed. One example of this, again from the twenties, was a Glasgow carter, Jock Brown by name. Even in the fifties, those who were older remembered him. He had been a disreputable character, but he heard the gospel preached, believed and was saved. On his first of many visits to preach at Bridge of Weir, after the meeting on Sunday morning to break bread in remembrance of the Lord Jesus, Mr Wight who was remaining in the hall for the Sunday School, gave Jock Brown the keys for his house. The carter broke down in tears when he remembered that not so long before he would have

emptied Mr Wight’s house of its contents.  

Mrs Hannah Lang was well known in the village. She came early every Sunday morning to Hope Hall and lit the “tortoiseshell stove” to heat the hall. She remained there all day, tending the stove, for the meetings in the morning, the Sunday School in the afternoon,and the gospel meeting in the evening.  The annual Christmas Tea Meetings were also, at that time, a village event. Mr Mitchell, who attended the meetings in the hall regularly and who was employed at Quarrier’s Homes, suitably decorated the hall. Two speakers were present to preach from the Word of God and small presents were given to all who were present. Sunday Schools were large in those days and the annual trip saw, on some occasions two hundred and more enjoying a day away. There are many today who remember the Sunday School which has been held since the opening of the first hall, and the meetings for children which from 1969 have, on a Monday evening brought the message of the Bible to the young.

The 1960’s also saw the start of meetings, held twice every year, where senior citizens are welcomed to the hall. Tea is served, hymns are sung and a preacher presents the same unchanging story of the love of God and the need of men of women to respond to the invitation of the gospel.

In the 1960’s it became clear that the corrugated iron building was no longer suitable. The search for a new site began and, as can be imagined in Bridge of Weir, it was difficult to identify one that was suitable. A number were investigated until the site where the hall stands presently became available. It belonged to the Council who had been planning to have an additional car park there, but due to government cut backs that plan had been shelved. The Council offered to lease the land and later agreed to sell it. The opening meeting in the “new” hall took place in March 1979.