In 1947, a group of Rathwell citizens held dances in the Ryley Farm Barn to raise money to build a new hall, but funds from this venture were used to pay off the shareholders of the old Community Hall. Then the whole area became involved and an appointed committee of five agreed to be responsible for all administrative work in connection with the actual building of a Memorial Hall, which would honor those who had served in the First and Second World Wars.
The district was divided into five groups, each in turn accepted the responsibility to raise funds. A contractor was hired and local citizens helped demolish the old hall and build the new Memorial Hall. Work started in the early summer of 1947 and by fall the hall was officially opened.
With community support, the committee received interest free loans on two occasions in order to complete the building and pledged to continue in office until the loans were repaid. Standing faithfully behind them were the dedicated five groups who continued their efforts to raise the necessary funds. With a community spirit such as this, success was bound to follow and in due course the loans were repaid. Since that time many other committees have served, kept the hall in good repair, made improvements and additions in order to make it a living memorial to those who served.
The hall was destroyed by fire in 1981 and rebuilt the following year. Rathwell Memorial Hall will remain a legacy to those who come from those who come no more.
