A Great Cloud of Witnesses Cambridge Methodist Church 1867-1967 I HAVE I Page 1 A Great Cloud of Witnesses Cambridge Methodist Church 1867-1967 I HAVE CALLED YOU FRIENDS A record of this nature is never entirely the work of one person; admittedly, one person endeavours to shape a readable account from a great mass of seemingly unrelated material. But it is the supplying and gathering of that material by many helpful people, which in the end makes such a record possible. Many friends have devoted time and energy in order that the story of Cambridge Methodism might he presented in permanent form. Ministers, students, newspaper proprietors, historians, Government servants, photographers, local residents and church members. All these have played their part in various Ways. A special word of appreciation is offered to Mrs Ella Carter, Mrs Grace Hall and Mr Bernard Wood, who read the original manuscript and made several helpful suggestions. Also to Mr Req Buckingham who copied many old photos, and prepared them for publication. To one and all — SINCERE THANKS Page 2 A Great Cloud of Witnesses Cambridge Methodist Church 1867-1967 Page 3 A Great Cloud of Witnesses Cambridge Methodist Church 1867-1967 St. Paul’s, Cambridge Page 4 A Great Cloud of Witnesses Cambridge Methodist Church 1867-1967 PREFACE This is the story of Cambridge Methodist Circuit—a story which began with the coming of the Rev. Joseph Berry to the Waikato in 1867. Over the hundred years since then, a great cloud of witnesses has lived to prove the power of God’s redeeming love in Jesus Christ and to know the gracious fulfilment of His promises. Some who are mentioned in this record were men of wealth .and influence in the community; others were ordinary, everyday folk who left no great name, But everyone felt a sense of privilege at being able to serve the living God, in Whose sight they were infinitely precious. The world is a better place because they lived and worshipped in this corner of His Kingdom. In this story of Cambridge Methodism, I have endeavoured to include as many names as possible, believing, that first and foremost a Church is a company of believing people who, by then’ faith and sincerity, inspire others to know the Christ and follow the way of holiness. As we remember, may we also be thankful, and resolve to follow more firmly in their steps. LEONARD SHAPCOTT. Cambridge Parsonage. Page 5 A Great Cloud of Witnesses Cambridge Methodist Church 1867-1967 BEFORE THE BEGINNING If you study the map of the North Island’s East Coast, you will notice just west of Cape Runaway, a small coastal settlement named Whangaparaoa. It was here in 1350 that the Tainui Canoe, one of the Great Migration Fleet, first landed on these shores. Shortly afterwards it was rowed along the Bay of Plenty Coast, into the Tamaki river at Auckland, dragged across the Otahuhu Portage to the Manukau Harbour, and finally came to rest at Kawhia. Over the centuries, the Tainui people spread out over the Waikato district, naming the many hills and mountains. A considerable number of them came into the Cambridge district, giving names to such places as Maungakawa, Pukekura and Maungatautari. The passing years saw several powerful tribes established. What little history is known suggests that the tribes engaged in bloodthirsty battles and massacres, the horror of which was increased by the advent of the musket. A more hopeful day dawned in 1835 with the arrival of the Rev. A. N. Brown to establish a Church of England Mission station at Matamata. Brown’s presence was a light in the darkness. His prodigious journeys on foot were amazing. He built the first school at Maungatautari about 1839, and the first chapel at Whareturere in 1841. In addition, he taught the Maoris such useful occupations as wheatgrowing and flourmilling. FIRST WESLEYAN MISSIONARIES The first Wesleyan Missionary endeavour in the Waikato was undertaken more along the west coast. In 1834, the Revs. William Woon and John Whiteley were appointed to Kawhia, while the Rev. James Wallis was sent to Raglan. In 1840 the Rev. Thomas Buddle was appointed to Te Koupa on the Waipa river. Before long, the self- sacrificing efforts of the missionaries and their wives created a longing among the Maori people, for a more peaceful day. This longing was expressed in the appointment of a Maori King. THE MAORI KING Several chiefs had visited England and been deeply impressed by the majesty, dignity and pageantry of the British Monarchy. Why not a Maori King to unite all the tribes in peace? After much negotiation among the tribes, Potatau Te Wherowhero, principal chief in the Waikato, was chosen. In 1858, the crowning of the first Maori King took place at Ngaruawahia. Wiremu Tamihana performed the ceremony, using the Bible which has been used ever since by a member of his family, for every coronation. At the crowning ceremony, the following words were spoken to the new king: “Potatau, this day I create you King of the Maori people. You and Queen Victoria shall be bound together to be one. The religion of Christ shall be a mantle for your protection; the law shall be the whariki mat at your feet; forever and ever onward.” Page 6 A Great Cloud of Witnesses Cambridge Methodist Church 1867-1967 WAR COMES TO THE WAIKATO The day of peace did not last. The causes of the ensuing conflict between Maori and Pakeha were many and involved. In June 1863 the first 400 Auckland settlers were called into the Militia. In July, Governor Grey issued a formal declaration of war, which unfortunately included the threat of land confiscation. The Government began seeking recruits from the Australian and New Zealand goldfields by offering sections of land in return for services rendered. The war began with the invasion of the Waikato. The militia marched along the new military road south of Auckland, under the command of General Cameron. Space does not allow detailed accounts of the various battles which took place at Rangiriri, Rangiaowhia and Orakau, during 1863-64. No actual fighting occurred in the Cambridge district, but General Cameron established his headquarters at Pukerimu in March 1864. Here on a plateau, almost immediately behind the present cemetery, a large redoubt was built. Five miles away at Pukekura, in the area now known as the Crows Nest, Tamihana built a large fortified pa and waited for the British attack. However, the Maoris later withdrew. For some time the situation remained tense and in order to preserve peace in the area, General Cameron decided to establish well- prepared redoubts throughout this district. These redoubts were established at Pukekura and Cambridge in addition to the one at Pukerimu. “CAMP CAMBRIDGE” The Cambridge redoubt, named in honour of the Duke of Cambridge, the Commander of the British Army, was established during 1864, on a high, barren plateau overlooking the Waikato river. This spot was close to the junction of the river with the Karapiro stream and today is bounded by the triangle of Fort, Duke and Victoria streets. The reason for this choice of site lay in the fact that a small natural harbour existed where river steamers and gunboats could navigate and turn with ease. The harbour was well protected and offered adequate facilities for a wharf. The headquarters of the 3rd Waikato regiment were then moved from Pukerimu; the troops being in charge of Colonel William Lyon. Camp Cambridge covered an area of thirteen acres. In the north-east corner, overlooking the river harbour, the soldiers erected the large Ten Star Redoubt which covered 21 acres and was surrounded by a sod wall, 14 feet high. It was also protected by a ditch 12 feet deep and 14 feet wide. Inside the Redoubt itself were the officers’ quarters, stores etc. A clay road, known as Barrack street was constructed from the harbour and up the side of the terrace to the camp. Up this clay road, horses and drays hauled the army stores which came by river steamer. In February 1865, the “Daily Southern Cross” reported that “the 3rd Waikatos are hard at work in completing the Ten Star Redoubt at Cambridge”. The report weht on to state that the troops were also busily erecting fifteen mess quarters capable of accommodating up to one thousand men. Page 7 A Great Cloud of Witnesses Cambridge Methodist Church 1867-1967 A little later, a large stockade of wooden posts was erected, covering altogether, over 4 acres. Paddocks and stables also occupied the area. It was a town in miniature. THE CHURCH IN A WAR SITUATION In 1863, the British Wesleyan Methodist Conference requested the New Zealand District Meeting to minister to Methodist troops serving with the forces. At that time there were nearly 12.000 Imperial troops and over 3,000 Colonial reservists under arms in the Colony, concentrated mainly round Auckland, Waikato and Taranaki. Difficult as it always is, to teach the way of universal love and salvation, under war conditions, the Church did not shirk the challenge. Approximately 1200 of these men were Methodists. Almost immediately the Church appointed several ministers as chaplains. In April 1864, John Rishworth was appointed chaplain to the Waikato. THE REV. JOHN S. RISHWORTH REV. JOHN RISHWORTH Chaplain to the forces in the Waikato 1864 Born in Bingley, Yorkshire, in 1835, John Rishworth arrived in New Zealand in August 1862. Like many young Methodist men, he was a zealous lay preacher. At the Northern District Meeting in November 1963, he was accepted as a candidate for the ministry, but instead of being sent for theological training, he was immediately commissioned as a chaplain to the forces.