75 Years of Methodism in Woodville 1876-1951 by C.B.Oldfield The Present Church – opened 1887 (Photo A. Garlick) Wesley Historical Society (NZ) Publication 9(3) 1951 Page 1 75 Years of Methodism in Woodville 1876-1951 by C.B.Oldfield Foreword. To read the records of the past seventy-five years of Methodism in Woodville is to review almost sacred history. One cannot but be deeply impressed by the loyalty to Christ and His Church, or by the sincerity of the people of those days, who, in spite of primitive conditions, together with hard toil, laid down their tools on Sunday to worship. For them life was full of the Presence of God. Even the record of minutes of meetings can suddenly come to life revealing the joys of their successes, or heart-searching when the way proved difficult, or their determination that come what may in the end all would be well, for God was with them. The years have vindicated their earnest prayers and faith. The pattern of Methodism in this district is clearly defined. This is because we are most fortunate to possess almost complete records from 1885 to the present day, and this is a tribute to those early secretaries, especially to Mr. Thomas Moore, secretary of the first Trust until his death in 1888, and to Mr. Joseph Sowry, his successor in that office. Tribute in this way must also be paid to Mr. E. T. Rendle, Mr. Rowe Fennell and others. During the whole period of its existence the Church has been loyally and faithfully served in all its branches by a band of men and women devoted to the work of God. The Church today is served by loyal officials and members, some of whom are descendants of those early pioneers in the faith. A son of the first resident minister, Mr. S. E. Worboys, has given long years as a Circuit Steward and is still with us in the district. A brief but sincere tribute must be made of the services of many women throughout the years, especially to the wives of the early pioneers, not forgetting several who are still active in all good work, or those who have graced the Parsonage. The compiler of this brief but totally inadequate survey is indebted to several whose memory can go back the greater distance of these years, and also to a pamphlet written by the late Rev. John Southern, and issued just following the Jubilee in 1926, which contains memoirs of some who have since passed away. Mr. A. L. Olsson kindly read the files of the "Woodville Examiner" which are now at Parliament Building's, Wellington. We of the present salute the past, but the torch is in our hand. With zeal, courage, and with equal faith we must hand it on brightly burning to those who arc about us and who follow. The best must yet be for Christ and His Church. CHARLES B. OLDFIELD. Woodville. Wesley Historical Society (NZ) Publication 9(3) 1951 Page 2 75 Years of Methodism in Woodville 1876-1951 by C.B.Oldfield MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT I must congratulate the Woodville Church on producing and publishing this interesting record. You were wise to gather together the story of the pioneer days of your cause, as a part of your 75th Anniversary Celebrations, and before the records have been lost and the memories obliterated by death, as has happened in so many places. It does us good to go over the past and to realize afresh those early trials and efforts which are the foundation of our present privileges. There are many other places in New Zealand where the story of the early days should be written down, Rev E W Hames before living traditions fade and old papers are destroyed. Some day our children or our grand-children will be grateful for the record. It is a duty we owe to our fathers, in gratitude, and to our children, in hope. We owe it also to the glory of God. May these celebrations inspire the Woodville Methodist people to new ventures of faith and hope. Our fathers' faith should encourage us to build, as they did, for tomorrow. E. W. HAMES, President. Chronological Table. 1876 Methodist people came to Woodville under Land Scheme from Hawke's Bay. First Services held, and Sunday School commenced. 1877 Services now at Mr. J. Sowry's residence, McLean Street. Woodville under Waipawa Superintendent. 1878 Section 1 acre 1 rood 20 perches bought from Mr. Alfred Dillon. Cost £100. First Meeting of Trustees, October 15th. 1879—Services transferred to Woodville Public School building erected this year. Sunday School commenced. Mr. H. Hawken, Superintendent; Mr. W. G. Crawford, Secretary. Primitive Methodists commenced Cottage Meetings. 1880 Ormondville became head of the Circuit which extended from Ormondville to Pahiatua. 1881 Mr. John Harding became Sunday School teacher; 16 years of age Primitive Methodist Church erected. Wesley Historical Society (NZ) Publication 9(3) 1951 Page 3 75 Years of Methodism in Woodville 1876-1951 by C.B.Oldfield 1883 United Methodist Free Church opened January. Rev. J. W Worboys Minister of the Circuit. Mr. Rowe Fennell received as Local Preacher on transfer. Woodville made head of Circuit. First resident Minister, Rev. J. W. Worboys. 1884 Debt of £100 cleared off Church building. 10 Sunday School Teachers, 53 Scholars. 1885 Pahiatua placed on Preaching Plan for 3 p.m., fortnightly. Mr. J. Richards, Primitive Methodist, received as "Auxiliary" Preacher. 64 Church members reported. Porch built on Church by Mr. J. Sowry for £17/15/7. Sunday School bought organ for £l9, new. This was used for services, too. 1886 Began to enlarge U.M.F. Church building. Minister's Stipend, £120 per annum. 1887 Opened enlarged Church in March. 1888 Commenced Mangatainoka Services. Mr. T. Moore died. Mr. J. Pinfold, Primitive Methodist, received as Local Preacher. 1889 105 Church members reported, for Circuit. Woodlands Road placed on Preaching Plan. Services at Pahiatua now weekly. Services at Ormondville discontinued. Deficit on Circuit Account, £73/18/10. 1890 Church members for Circuit now number 145. Primitive Church Services now discontinued, but Sunday School continued. Ballance placed on Preaching Plan. Sunday School Scholars for all the Circuit numbered 220. 1891 Dominion "District Meeting" invited to meet here in 1893 Second appointment to Circuit. Home Missioner, Mr. John Farrow Primitive Church building moved to Woodlands Road and opened as first Public School building. 1892 Members for Woodville only, number 75. Second appointment to Circuit now Home Missioner, Mr. L H Rogers. 1893 Dominion "District Meeting" in Woodville of U.M.F. Church, January. (Jan.) A Quarterly magazine decided on in place of printed plan (called "The Free Methodist Herald"). Wesley Historical Society (NZ) Publication 9(3) 1951 Page 4 75 Years of Methodism in Woodville 1876-1951 by C.B.Oldfield A Basis of Union under discussion. Quarterly Meeting approve basis. (Dec.). As Magazine did not pay, resolved to discontinue. Second appointment: Home Missioner, Mr. A. W. Ashcroft. 1894 Circuit divided and Pahiatua becomes head of a Circuit. Circuit debt also divided, Pahiatua responsible for £19 of it and to pay £2 per quarter until liquidated. Church Pews still "Let." Income for the year, £11/19/3. (Oct.). Committee set up to purchase a Parsonage. 1895 (April). Parsonage bought. Rev. C. Penney, Minister. Overdue rent on previous house, £23/8/2. Church members at Woodville, 72; Mangatainoka, 28. 1896 Union between Wesleyans, Bible Christians and U.M.F.C. to form the Australasian Wesleyan Methodist Church in New Zealand. 1897 Sunday School reports 80 scholars, 4 teachers; average attendance, 45. Mangatainoka Sunday School: 30 scholars; average attendance, 25; teachers, 2. 1898 Mangatainoka Church burnt down in bush fire. Trustees authorised to apply for loan of £20 to enable re-building. New Church built. 1901 (May). Services discontinued for present at Mangatainoka. Minister's Stipend, £150. Mr. J. Pinfold died. 1902 Woodville Township Water Supply laid on to Church and Parsonage. 1903 (Aug.). Trees planted around Church. Members for Circuit, 107; Woodville, 89; Mangatainoka, 18. First Annual Conference of the Methodist Church of Australasia in New Zealand. 1904 Mr. J. Sowry died. 1905 First mention made in the Quarterly Meeting of Junior Christian Endeavour Societies at Woodville and Mangatainoka. 1906 Gas installed in Church and Parsonage. (April). Sunday School scholars number 100 with 8 teachers. Average attendance, 69. 1907 Trustees refused permission by C.B. & L.F. Committee to sell Parsonage. 1908 Resolved to build three rooms on north side of Parsonage. Cost, £300 to £400. Wesley Historical Society (NZ) Publication 9(3) 1951 Page 5 75 Years of Methodism in Woodville 1876-1951 by C.B.Oldfield Rev. J. W. Worboys died at Opunake. 1909 Unanimous vote in Quarterly Meeting for independent Conference in New Zealand (i.e., divide from Australian Methodism). 13 present. Members in Circuit, 120. Minister's Stipend, £180. 1910 Services commenced, then discontinued, Papatawa. 1911 Credit balance on Circuit Account, £77/5/3, following Harvest Festival. Washhouse built at Parsonage. Picket fence erected in front of Church. Mr. A. J. Crowe superintendent Woodlands Road Sunday School. Woodlands Road again placed on Preachers' Plan. 1912 Masterton Road Sunday School commenced by Mr. H. Millin. Unanimous vote in Quarterly Meeting for Union with Primitive Methodism in New Zealand. 16 present. 1913 First Conference of The Methodist Church of New Zealand. Bell-tower at Woodville Church unsafe, so dismantled. Back wall of Church needed strengthening. Sewerage connected to Church and Parsonage. 1914 Vestry built to Mangatainoka Church. (18 x 14). £38, plus labour. South side of Church, Woodville, renovated.