Peter Hall

Peter Hall (17 May 1851 – 1937) was a Gold Coast-born Jamaican teacher, missionary and Presbyterian clergyman who was elected the first Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of the Gold Coast, equivalent to the rank of chairperson of the synod or chief executive of the national church organisation, a position he held from 1918 to 1922. Hall was the son of John Hall, one of 24 West Indian missionaries who arrived in the Danish Protectorate of Christiansborg and worked under the auspices of the Basel Evangelical Missionary Society.

Childhood and family Peter Hall was born at Akropong-Akwapim on the Gold Coast on 17 May 1851, the tenth child of eleven children of his parents. His parents, John and Mary Hall, had been born into slavery in Jamaica. Though his parents were Jamaicans, Peter Hall regarded himself as a native of Akropong-Akuapem.

His father, John Hall was born in Williamsfield, Jamaica in 1802 and was a rum distiller by occupation and Elder or Presbyter at the Irwinhill Moravian Church in Montego Bay. Mary Hall, his mother, was also born in Williamsfield in 1811 and was also a congregant at the Moravian church in Irwinhill, Montego Bay. Henry Hall became a teacher-catechist in service of the Basel Mission and died at Abomosu many years later.

Peter Hall recalled his mother, Mary affectionately calling him, “Last baby; little bowl” as a child and he was always found tied to her apron strings. His father was described as very strict and often flogged Peter Hall's older siblings for the least misconduct. Many academically weak students fled the school after a short stay. In 1862, there was an earthquake at Akropong which terrified all pupils with the teacher almost jumping through the window. In September 1865, he entered the Basel Mission middle boarding school at Akropong which was under the headship of the Reverend Mader pending the arrival of the Rev. M. Bellon who was the incoming headmaster. Between 1882 and 1888, Hall was appointed the minister- in-charge of the Christ Presbyterian Church, Akropong. The Scottish mission was then operating in nearby Nigeria. In effect, he became the chief executive of the national church organisation. The Synod Clerk position went to another second generation Jamaican missionary, Nicholas Timothy Clerk. His funeral service was held at the Christ Presbyterian Church, Akropong and his body was interred at the old Basel Mission Cemetery in the town. The Presbyterian Church at Nkonya Wurpong, was named the Peter Hall Congregation in his honour.