Conversorium

Daily Gleaner, December 11, 1890

   The Conversorium, a far pleasanter place [than the Town Hall], built by the farsighted and energetic Rector of Kingston, shows in a small way what could be done in the direction of a suitable place for the amusement of the people were the enterprise taken in hand with energy.

The building of the 'Conversorium':

Daily Gleaner, April 30, 1888

The New Church Buildings.

   The Rev. G W Downer of the Parish Church, has at last finished

the buildings in Church Street which have for some time excited the

comment and observation of passers-by.

   These buildings will be inaugurated on Wednesday next, and it

may not be inopportune to inform our readers briefly, that the

buildings in question consist of an ample stage, which can be closed

in by sliding doors, to form a room for committee work, for sewing

classes, Sunday school and Church meetings. Opposite the front of

the stage, for there is no proscenium, there is a large and commodious

auditorium, forming a separate building, but from every part of which

the stage can be easily seen, as the floor has an upward slope from

front to back. This auditorium can be made available for large

meetings, for lectures, concerts and other entertainments, for

missionary meetings, and might, with the permission of the Rector,

of course, be made available for our City Fathers to address their

electors, or for the Salvation Army to unfurl their banner of blood

and fire.

   We simply say it might be, but then It might not. If it was a special

performance of those eminent comedians, the City Councillors, there

would be a large audience, even if they played their old stock pieces.

   We congratulate the Rev. Mr. Downer upon his energy and

thoughtfulness, and his happy idea in providing a place where his

churoh-members may enjoy, on their own ground, a little healthy

recreation, or, meet together for the serious discussion of church

business.

Daily Gleaner, May 4, 1888

The Parish Church Hall and Conversorium

   On Wednesday afternoon the above building were formally opened

by Lady Norman and the Lord Bishop of Jamaica. We have already

described the buildings in our columns, and need only add that the

large gathering assembled on Wednesday, all comfortably seated in

a lofty and airy room, fully demonstrated the capabilities of the

structure for the accommodation of large audiences.

   The Rev. G. W. Downer described at length the origin of the

buildings and the purposes they were intended to fulfil. Lady Norman

then named the buildings the "Parish Church Hall and Conversorium"

and declared them open.

   The Bishop delivered a speech on the general intention and purpose

of such buildings as they were met that day to open, and the formal

proceedings concluded with the singing of the 100th Psalm by the

choir of the Parish Church, accompanied by the band of the 2nd

W. I. Regt.

   Many fair ladies then dispensed refreshments of an aesthetic

character, in the form of roses, daisies and other floral beauties,

while the more fleshly cravings of the innerman were cared for in

the shape of tea, cakes, ice cream, etc. The event was in every

way most successful. In the evening a promenade concert brought

crowds of people, who amused themselves to their own satisfaction

until after 10 o'clock.

   We don't quite know what a "Conversorium" is. It may be

merely a plaoe for conversation or a place for converting sinners,

or it may have a more sacred and occult meaning. But, as the

Great Bard says - "What's in a name." Well, there is something

in this name of "Conversorium." There are five syllables and a

round dozen of letters. Do you call that nothing?