Hospital Point: A Legacy of Compassion on Francois Lake
In the early years of European settlement around Francois Lake and the Southbank area, life was full of hardship. During those first years there was worry due to the lack of availability of medical care. Doctors from Hazelton and Fraser Lake served the area by travelling in dog team in winter and horse in summer.
Rev. Dr. George A. Wilson, Superintendent of Home Missions for the Presbyterian Church, who had first journeyed to the area on horseback from Prince Rupert in 1910 Wilson, saw the need of medial aid for the district and in 1918 residents were assured that the Women’s Missionary Society (WMS) in New Westminster were willing and making preparations for medical aid.
In September 1919, a small log farmhouse, John Keefe’s ranch at Southbank stood in as a makeshift mission hospital until the WMS could find a larger building. Miss Mary Kennedy, a trained nurse and missionary, arrived as the first matron, joined by Miss Wales as her assistant.
That same year the Home Missions for the Presbyterian Church appointed Dr James Wallace to minister to the religious and medical needs of the people, travelling by horse and cart. Stationed south of Francois Lake, he travelled to Burns Lake once a week, holding a clinic during the day and a Church service in the evening.
Dr Wallace stayed only a brief time and Dr A.A. Gray arrived at the hospital in May 1920. Dr Gray arrived just as the ice on Francois Lake was breaking and had to wait to cross the ferry. He reached Southbank just in time to deliver Mrs. Keefe’s baby, Marion—the first baby born under the care of the new hospital. Dr. Gary served as both doctor and missionary, journeying by horse and buggy in the summer and horse-drawn cutter in the winter.
By June 1920, the hospital moved into a larger home at Prosser’s Point, soon dubbed “Hospital Point.” On June 20, 1920, Hector Gerow was the first baby born at this new location. To accommodate the growing needs of the community, three more rooms were added to the building in 1921. Dr Gray’s health caused him to retire after two years, succeeded by Dr. Williams, who also because of poor health stayed less than a year.
From its modest beginnings in a log cabin to the bustling activity at Hospital Point, this mission hospital is evidence of the power of community.
Today, Hospital Point remains a meaningful landmark for those who remember—or have heard stories of—the nurses who arrived on foot, the doctors who braved wild roads, and the children who took their first breath under its roof. It reminds us that even in the remotest places, healing and hope can take root.
In the early years of European settlement around Francois Lake and the Southbank area, life was full of hardship. During those first years there was worry due to the lack of availability of medical care. Doctors from Hazelton and Fraser Lake served the area by travelling in dog team in winter and horse in summer.
Rev. Dr. George A. Wilson, Superintendent of Home Missions for the Presbyterian Church, who had first journeyed to the area on horseback from Prince Rupert in 1910 Wilson, saw the need of medial aid for the district and in 1918 residents were assured that the Women’s Missionary Society (WMS) in New Westminster were willing and making preparations for medical aid.
In September 1919, a small log farmhouse, John Keefe’s ranch at Southbank stood in as a makeshift mission hospital until the WMS could find a larger building. Miss Mary Kennedy, a trained nurse and missionary, arrived as the first matron, joined by Miss Wales as her assistant.
That same year the Home Missions for the Presbyterian Church appointed Dr James Wallace to minister to the religious and medical needs of the people, travelling by horse and cart. Stationed south of Francois Lake, he travelled to Burns Lake once a week, holding a clinic during the day and a Church service in the evening.
Dr Wallace stayed only a brief time and Dr A.A. Gray arrived at the hospital in May 1920. Dr Gray arrived just as the ice on Francois Lake was breaking and had to wait to cross the ferry. He reached Southbank just in time to deliver Mrs. Keefe’s baby, Marion—the first baby born under the care of the new hospital. Dr. Gary served as both doctor and missionary, journeying by horse and buggy in the summer and horse-drawn cutter in the winter.
By June 1920, the hospital moved into a larger home at Prosser’s Point, soon dubbed “Hospital Point.” On June 20, 1920, Hector Gerow was the first baby born at this new location. To accommodate the growing needs of the community, three more rooms were added to the building in 1921. Dr Gray’s health caused him to retire after two years, succeeded by Dr. Williams, who also because of poor health stayed less than a year.
From its modest beginnings in a log cabin to the bustling activity at Hospital Point, this mission hospital is evidence of the power of community.
Today, Hospital Point remains a meaningful landmark for those who remember—or have heard stories of—the nurses who arrived on foot, the doctors who braved wild roads, and the children who took their first breath under its roof. It reminds us that even in the remotest places, healing and hope can take root.
