In 1891 eight Methodist missionaries left Ontario to open a Methodist Mission in China. Dr. Virgil Chittenden Hart and his wife Adeline Gilliland Hart were two members of that group. The Harts were in West China from 1891 to 1900. Their son V.R. Hart was a Victoria College undergraduate.
The original Canadian Mission Press founded by Dr. Hart was at Kiating.
Hart Memorial College, West China Union University was named in honour of Virgil Chittenden Hart.
Sources:
V.C. Hart, "The Printing Press in China," Acta Victoriana, 25:2, (1901),75-79.
Virgil C. Hart. Western China: a Journey to the great Buddhist centre of Mount Omei. Boston: Ticknor,1888.
V.R. Hart, "Childhood days in China," Acta Victoriana, 24:2, (1900),57-59 .
E. I. Hart. Virgil C.Hart: Missionary, Statesman, Founder of the American and Canadian Missions in Central and West China. Toronto: McClelland, 1917.
http://go.utlib.ca/cat/3233924 (Edgerton Ives Hart was one of V.C. Hart's sons.)
![Pioneers of the West China Mission Credit: George E. Hartwell, <em>Granary of Heaven</em>. United Church of Canada,
Toronto [1939].](photos/display/first_missionaries_1891.jpg)
Pioneers of the West China Mission Credit: George E. Hartwell, Granary of Heaven. United Church of Canada, Toronto [1939].
Canadian Methodist Mission Press, Chengtu, April 1905 Credit: Kilborn / Walmsley Family.
V.R. Hart, "Childhood Days in China," Acta Victoriana. 24:2, (1900), 56-59
V. C. Hart, The Printing Press in China," Acta Victoriana, 25:2, (1901) Nov. 75 - 79