ARCHWAY – From a dream to reality

ARCHWAY is a living memorial to the late Father Bill Johnson.

In 1958 as Rector of St. Paul's, he was concerned with the plight of the homeless drunks in and around the Port. He conceived the idea that something could be done for these unfortunates and by 1960 he and a small team of helpers had raised sufficient funds to acquire 13 derelict cottages, clean them up, and turn them into accommodation for the homeless men.

About this time Mr. Roy Bryant an ex Doctor Barnado's Home Superintendent arrived from England and joined Father Johnson with his work.

By 1961 ARCHWAY was established as an independent incorporated body and through the drive and initiative of its Board of Management a large purpose-built building was constructed in 1971-72 for $65,000 and named the Johnson Building. The building catered for 22 Alcoholics in a live-in setting. This was followed by the Boundy-Bryant Building next door making a total capacity of 39 beds, 34 male and 5 female.

Over the years a group of dedicated people have turned ARCHWAY into one of the nation's leading
centres for the initial rehabilitation of people with alcoholism and its related problems.   (unknown Author)

An extract from The Pilot September 1959:

St. Paul's Fellowship Goes into Action

A very successful working bee over the weekend provided ARCHWAY with 28 pillows, a cleaned out yard at Leadenhall Street, and the prospect of a clothes line this week.

Here are some facts and figures which will help you to understand what this project is attempting.

At the moment we are housing some 30 men. The majority of these pay board (Quebec $8 and Leadenhall $6). The very sick ones don't get work, but if a man just achieves one day in the week he and we can manage.

Our St. Paul's Fellowship set the example by coming and helping this past weekend. But what we very badly need is a roster of men who will come and sit in, two at a time, on Friday and Saturday nights, at Leadenhall Street. One of the most important means of healing is for the men in the homes to know, feel, and see that they are not rejected, that we do care, that we are not just interested in Archway as a scheme for alcoholics, but that we are interested in them as men, as brothers, as brothers for whom Christ died.

These are sick men, being under greater or lesser degree of compulsion to take alcohol. Think of your own worst moment of compelling temptation in any field – when no one knew but you. Then think of that dragging on moment after moment without letting up until death takes over. Then you have a glimpse, but only a glimpse, of this struggle. One night a month is not much to give. Your name and address is? You are willing to come on which dates? You would like some further information? You are willing to pray for us at 7 am each morning, and would like a list of names sent to you to pray for? You would like to invite two of the men home to tea! My word, you've got it.

Yes, my brothers, God is talking to you and to me right here. And when we've won in ARCHWAY God will make us a living Church to meet the challenge of the waterfront, of industry, of the many homes entirely out of touch, the challenge of Christ's kingdom.

Fr. Bill Johnson