My late father was one of the founders of the Beth Hillel Synagogue. It was part of the Hebrew Protective Ass'n. My entire family, were members, Uncles, Cousins, & as they say "Der Gantza Mishpucha.
I am not sure which came first, the Shul or the Ass'n. (see HISTORY)
The Beth Hillel Congregation and I go back many many years. In fact I had my Bar Mitzva there 59 years ago. Infact the following year the Aftorah was the same as the year before, so I had my Bar-Mitzva, all over again.
The Hebrew Protective Ass'n Was founded about 75 Years ago or before & shortly after, so was The Beth Hillel. Going by memeory, It started like most shules do , by a minion of men getting together, in a basement. The first big move, was where I had my Bar-Mitzva. They rented a hall, on the second floor, on (4414)Main St.(now St.Laurent), for both.
From there they bought a duplex in Outremont, and after many years & many more members, sold the duplex, and built the building, for both, where it is today.
They area that the shul is in now, was once a thriving Jewish Community. Of coarce the older members, have since died, and with the area changing quite a lot, very few new members, are being attracted.
Several years ago, my wife and I were were members of square dancing, and one of the sessions, took place in the basement hall of the Beth Hillel. I walked up the stairs. as as I came closer to the top, aman was sitting there, I guess he was the shamos, asked me if my name was Novak. I had never met this man before. I said yes, and he told me that I looked just like my father.
I went to the Sancuary, looked inside, I could see my father, & his friends, standing on the beema, davening, like it was yesterday. I looked around and saw the people I remembered, when I was young. It was very eerie. I did not go in.
I remeber the Rabbi very well (I won't mention his name) He was a bag of wind. During his sermons, which seemed an etrnity, My Late Brother and I, used to walk out.
I remember looking at my father, and seeing a big grin on his face. The members continually asked him to shorten them, but to no avail. This was all before I got married. I am married 47 years. 
History
Beth Hillel: Corporate Name: Beth Hillel Current Address: 6230 Coolbrooke, H3X 2M8 1964- Former Address: Hutchison (between Fairmount & St. Viateur) -1964 4414 St. Lawrence Blvd., - 1936- Phone: 731-8708 Observance: Orthodox History: Founded 1919. First services held in a house on Colonial at Duluth; then rented a floor at 4414 St. Lawrence; then a cottage on Hutchison until 1964; moved to Coolbrooke. Rabbis: Meyer Kizelnik (1992) I.J. Teicher (1970) Related Materials Reference: Jewish Yearbook (JYB) 1939; "Shuls" typescript by Levitt Milhouse and and Tanenbaum Comments: Records go back to the 1960s and possibly older. They recommended the City of Montreal Archives, but anyone can make an appointment to come by and see what they have if they think the records are at Beth Hillel.
Other Shuls Which I attended, in the same era.
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