They persevered and last week that perseverance paid off for the Friends of South Luther Hall when a $50,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant was officially announced.
The money will be used to restore the one-room rural schoolhouse and re-open it for use as a safe and accessible community centre,
Perth-Wellington MPP John Wilkinson made the announcement at the schoolhouse on Friday, and said he applauds “the Friends of South Luther School volunteers for their dedication.”
“The residents of our rural community worked hard to ensure this piece of history will be recognized and restored,” he said.
The Friends of South Luther Hall have been working tirelessly since 2003 to rescue the building from demolition. The group was incorporated in 2006, purchased the building from Wellington North in 2008 and pursued grant money to help restore the building.
“Patience pays off,” says Gayle Montgomery, a member of the Friends of Luther Hall since its inception in 2003. The group’s other executive members are President Linda Paquette, Diana Montgomery-Kocher, Pearl White-Newson and David Beam.
“This grant will allow community groups and agencies to hold a variety of programs and services for people of all ages, abilities and cultures,” Paquette said. “I’m delighted and look forward to this school again being a thriving part of the community and beyond.”
The schoolhouse – USS#2, East and West Luther -- was built in 1882, replacing a log school just down the road that was just too small for the growing number of students.  The new school was built on a half-acre of uncleared land purchased from William Newson. His brother, James, supervised the clearing of the land and the building of the schoolhouse.
In 1882 the 62 students, led by the teacher ringing the bell, walked to the new school.
Ada (Dickson) Brayford, now of Shelburne, attended the one-room schoolhouse along with her three sisters and three brothers. Her brother Harry Dickson, now of Orangeville, also attended the grant announcement on Friday.
“It was a happy time,” she recalled, reminiscing about Christmas concerts, school parties and particularly the skating rink that the boys built in the yard by banking up the snow and then flooding the area.
“Some of the boys would keep their skates on from the first recess until noon so they could get back on the ice,” she said. “I lived across the road and regretted that I had to go home for lunch.”
At one time, Brayford said, Grades 9 and 10 were taught at the one room school along with Grades 1 to 8.
Two other former students were also at Friday’s grant announcement -- Vada (Montgomery) McCrone and Esther (Park) Hunter. Hunter’s mother, Ruby Park, also taught at the school; in fact, she taught Ada (Dickson) Brayford when she was a Grade 8 student.
In 1964 the school was closed by the Ontario government – Brian Newson rang the bell as the students walked out of the school for the last time – and the building was used as a community centre until being condemned by Wellington North Council.
“There were family reunions, farm forums, worship services, personal birthday parties, wedding showers and it was even a polling booth during elections,” Gail Newson recalls.
Paquette said the Trillium Grant money will be used to restore the schoolroom part of the building and adapt the addition at the front so that it is accessible for everyone. The school will then be opened for community use.
 The Dufferin County Museum and Archives is also going to offer its one-room schoolhouse program at the South Luther Hall once renovations are completed.
“In the past we pretended we had a one-room school (at the museum itself.) Now we have a real one,” Curator Wayne Townsend said.
The students from schools in Peel, Simcoe and the Upper Grand School Boards will be bused to South Luther to experience a day in a one-room school.
“They’ll bring their lunch, sit in actual desks, learn geography, history and spelling, play some games,” Townsend said.
Wellington North Mayor Mike Broomhead said Friday and the Trillium Foundation Grant announcement was “quite an emotional day” for him. He said he had wanted the South Luther Hall saved from the wrecking ball right from the beginning because “it’s an absolutely beautiful building, even in the state it’s in now.” He praised the Friends of South Luther Hall for being relentless in their fight to save the building and volunteered to personally help with renovations.
“When it comes time to do the drywall and taping I’ll come out and help you,” he said, “and that’s a promise.”