EARLY METHODISM

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 443, 26 May 1937, Page 6

EARLY METHODISM

| PREACHER ON BEER BARREL Anniversary At Thames Thames, May 25. The 70th anniversary of the founding of 'the Methodist Church in Thames was celebrated over the week-end' when, special services and social gatherings were held’. The church services were conducted by the president of the Methodist Conference, the Rev. F. Copeland, of New Plymouth. In congratulating the church on attaining its 70th anniversary, Mt. Copeland referred to the spiritual significance of such an event. Methodism, he said, had playedi n great part in Thames, and had now reached days of wonderful opportunity. The future rested with \the present and fu'ture generations; and it would' be through the personal influence of each and every member of the church that it would continue to flourish. He ardently hoped that the best was yet to come.

The Methodist Church in Thames was founded two months after the [joldflelds had been opened' in 1867, the Rev. G. S. Harper, of Auckland, conducting the first service from a beer barrel in front of the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel a-t Shortland. The Primitive Methodist local preacher, Mr. Manners, also spoke, and in this way both branches of Methodism were founded in the town at the same time. Both branches of the Church thrived until 1913, when they were united, and the Pollen Street church became -the house of worship.