James Watkin (1805–86), Pioneer Missionary. James Watkin was born in Manchester in 1805. While still young he felt the call to preach and in 1830 was accepted as a candidate for the Wesleyan Ministry. In the same year he married Hannah Entwistle and they sailed with a missionary party to Tonga. The work of the mission was jeopardised by prolonged and involved struggles between Christian and non-Christian Tongan chiefs; Watkin faced alone the danger of tribal warfare, but the experience left him depressed and exhausted. On his removal with his family to Sydney in September 1837 he prayed for a return home to England. Instead, when John Jones offered a free passage for a missionary appointed to Waikouaiti, where Jones had a whaling station, Watkin was selected for the post and arrived there in May 1840. Here he established the first mission station in the South Island. Watkin found the whaling settlement of Waikouaiti a centre of violence, licentiousness, and drunken depravity. Thoroughly disliking the corrupted Maoris and convinced that they were doomed to extinction, and disgusted by the brutality and vices of his fellow Europeans, Watkin laboured without hope, in the bitterness of exile and with deepening depression and distress. In spite of an abhorrence for his situation he established schools at Waikouaiti and Matanaka, and stationed partly trained Maori teachers at Stewart Island and at Moeraki. He had a natural flair for languages, preached in Maori four months after his arrival, and compiled an elementary reading book to be printed in Ngai Tahu. In November 1840 Watkin was greatly disturbed by Bishop Pompallier's visit to Otago. When, however, this was followed by Anglican intrusion – for Bishop Selwyn visited Otago in January 1844 – Watkin thought of withdrawing his own Maori teachers and abandoning the field. Never reconciled to his position at Waikouaiti, Watkin was relieved by Charles Creed and in June 1844 he sailed for Wellington, leaving 227 church members in Otago. In 1855 Watkin settled in New South Wales, and was president of the National Methodist Conference at Adelaide in 1862. He retired in 1869 and died on 14 May 1886, at Ashfield, New South Wales. 'WATKIN, James', from An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock, originally published in 1966. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/1966/watkin-james (accessed 30 Apr 2018) B & W engraving from a photograph of the Rev. James Watkin.Revd. James Watkin, Australia Engraved by J. Cochran from a Photograph.

Norval Guest-House Aginda and Wettenhall The original Norval The story of Norval begins in 1917 when it was built as a private residence for Mr and Mrs William Thompson. Mrs Thompson was a pioneer of the tourist business, having come from Ballarat to Hall's Gap in 1909 to manage Bellfield Guest-house According to Ida Stanton, in her history of Hall's Gap entitled "Bridging the Gap", Mr Thompson and his wife acquired the six roomed shearers quarters at "Hankelow", on land leased by the Wettenhall family, on the south side of Bellfield. Mr Thompson, she says, completely dismantled the quarters, carefully marking each board, then hired George McKeon to cart the material up to where the original Norval house stood. With great care, the rooms were rebuilt into a home for William and his wife Mathilda. Catherine Good, the daughter of Viola (nee Wettenhall) and niece of Dr Roland, in here "Recollections" entitled "Look to the Mountains - Viola's View 1887-1979", mentions Hankelow. Speaking of her days at Glen Holford, the Wettenhall home at Pomonal, Viola says "Verona and Francie Dennis, my cousins, and I went for one very exciting trip. Father (i.e Dr Roland's father) had bought 300 acres in the Gap to take sheep from Carr's Plains in time of drought, and had a little cottage there with one of the Glen Holford men and his wife in charge. It was called Hankelow. So we three set off over the Range from Glen Holford on foot and leading a pack horse with our night attire and no doubt sponge bags. "We stayed the night at Hankelow with Jim and Minnie. Minnie had been a housemaid at Glen Holford. I was very fond of her. It makes one laugh to think of the excitement of "roughing it"! Minnie gave us a lovely dinner with meringues, and cream, I remember, then early morning tea. After breakfast we were driven in the buggy to the foot of the Goat Rock (since renamed Mt Rosea) and off we went - walking in our long skirts and ankle boots. There was no track of any kind, nor blazed trail - we just made for the top. It was rather frightening at times because we couldn't see where the top was an it always seemed to get further and further away. The last mile was so terribly steep, with a lot of lose shale where you went up twelve inches and slipped back six. Now you motor to about a couple of miles from the top and then have a graded path. Anyway, we got there and back safely and were rewarded with a magnificent view" By a strange coincidence, Hankelow, the source of Norval Guest-house in times past (if the name can be applied to the property as a whole, which seems likely) is in fact also the source of our Wettenhall Campsite! Hankelow was named after a property owned by the Wettenhall family in England. In 1917 William and Mathilda retired to their newly built home (Norval) "to escape from the tourist business" However, so many people made requests to stay with them that they found it necessary to add several more rooms and sleepouts to their home. In this way, early in 1921, the guest-house began to take shape. Mr Thompson, a former librarian of the Mechanics Institute in Ballarat, named the house "Norval". The name "Norval" comes from a quotation from the play 'Douglas" by John Home. Written in the mid-16th century the play is set in the Grampian Mountains of Scotland. The story is of a boy who was parted from this mother during his early childhood, and was given to a shepherd who raised him. Some eighteen years later the mother by chance happens to meet here son, and not knowing his true identity, asks his name. He answers, "My name is Norval; and in the Grampian hills my father feeds his flocks." Perhaps it was simply because "Norval" was associated with the "Grampians" that it was chosen by Mr Thompson. He may also have been conscious of feeding "flocks" of tourists in his expanding, guest-house. Norval Guest-house prospered. It was known for its fine cooking and friendly atmosphere - a tradition which has carried through to the modern Norval! It closed between 1940 and 1949 because of the second world war. In 1949 it was decided to almost completely rebuild the house. Most of the old building (Hankelow plus) was demolished and rebuilt to a much larger and more modern plan. And then, on May 1, 1965, it was purchased by the Committee of Management of the Methodist and Presbyterian Conference Centres. At this time the guest-house was owned and operated by Marjorie and Lachland McLennan, Mrs McLennan being the daughter of William and Mathilda Thompson, the pioneers of the establishment. The McLennans had operated the Guest-house since about 1930.Photocopy 2 pages of article from book titled 'In the Making' title of article Norval guest House the original Norvalaccommodation, guesthouses, norval

1. Plan: Henry Dendy's Eltham Land 1857-1867: showing Diamond Creek, Bridge Street, Maria Street now Main Road, John Street, Pitt Street, St Margaret's Church 1861, and Eltham Community Centre 1987. 2. Photocopy extract from "Henry Dendy and his emigrants" by L A Schumer, re Portions 12 and 13, Parish of Nillumbik. 3. The President and Councillors of the Shire of Eltham request the pleasure of ____ at the Official Opening of the Eltham Community Centre, Cnr Main Road and Pitt Street, Eltham by the Honorable R.J. Hamer E.D., M.P., Premier of Victoria on Saturday, 22nd April, 1978 at 3.30pm 4. Souvenir Program, Opening of Eltham Community Centre 22 April 1975. 5. Invitation to attend Official Opening of Eltham Community Centre by R J Hamer, Premier of Victoria, 22 April 1975. 6. Flier for Eltham Reception and Conference Centre, photographs of interiors during events. 7. Newspaper article: Eltham buries present for the future, Diamond Valley News 19 November 1985 Eltham, photograph of burying time capsule outside Eltham Community Centre, photograph of Bill Baker and Sid Brown outside old blacksmith shop the original site of Eltham town centre. 8. Letter Peter Butler Shire of Eltham to Eltham District Historical Society, 6 July 1987, detailing process for naming of the halls at the Eltham Community Centre.6 July 1987. 9. Plan of Main Road Eltham - it depicts buildings and occupiers from Pitt Street to Luck Street in the first half of the 20th century. This plan was compiled as a joint efforts by members of the Shire of Eltham Historical Society at a general meeting in Eltham during the 1980s. Newspaper article: Swimming pool and community centre receive major revamps, Diamond Valley Leader, 21 October 2015.main road, eltham, eltham community centre, henry dendy, eltham reception and conference centre, bill baker, sidney brown blacksmith, tme capsule, arthur street, babe taylor house, bakery, boarding house, bradley house, bridge street, brown blacksmith, burgoyne's shop, cockcrofts store, commercial bank of australasia, david lyon house, davis, dr cordner, dr hall, dudley street, eltham hotel, eltham obelisk, eltham war memorial, garnet burges, graham, hawker, henry street, john lyon, len perron, luck street, lyons garage, map, mechanics insitute, monteith house, mrs morris shop, our lady help of christian’s primary school, panther place, pitt street, prior street, shillinglaw cottage, shops, stones mixed shop, websters house, wesleyan methodist church, york street

From accompanying typed caption: "Home of Bill and Dot Splatt. Purchased approx 1915-1918 and stayed in the family until mid 1950s. Grimshaw Street Greensborough - site of Methodist Church."This home was demolished for the site of the 'new' Greensborough Methodist Church. The church is located at 37 Grimshaw Street and was opened on Saturday 5 February 1966 by the then President of the Methodist Conference, the Rev. Reginald J. Philip, L Th.Copy of Black and white photograph. Caption is typed.splatt family, grimshaw street greensborough

Green plastic folder with black plastic binding labelled PHOTOS RE HISTORY, opens with a list of 41 photos with their respective sizes in (inches) and (unrelated) numbers; then an A4 stapled pages re- an up-coming (Feb 27-29 2004) Cornish Families celebration, listing activities such as attending a 'meet the Cornish Concert', Festival Celebration Dinner, the Cornish Floral Dance, research one's own family history, follow the Cornish trail, Picnic in Rosalind park, and Meet the Bards of Cornwall; and buy a CD-ROM; followed by a hand-written time line or diary and business card for Harrison Print; 8 printing drafts with four names and years of birth and death; An image of some of Miss James' Sunday School Young mens' class from 1915 (photo taken at Royal Melbourne Show grounds Military camp); 9 GSUC accounts with letter-head; then an A4 off-white with Compliments card enclosing a black and white image with some names of a Golden Square Methodist Church Augustinian Fair Work-force; x2 smaller 'With Compliments' cards (one of paper) enclosing a black and white image (Circa 1860) of mines along the new Chum Line of Reef with GS Methodist Church in background; A newspaper cutting of line advertisement re- Golden Square Uniting Church celebrating 150 years of Methodism on the Goldfields citing its address and times of services; a collage of 3 black and white images dated Nov 1960 titled Church Activities; another collage of 3 slightly larger images taken around the same time of similar activities and showing numerous people around the church, and one of the pulpit; a sepia image of unidentified members of the church; fading copy of photo of Golden Square Methodist Church Choir behind which is a list of names of those in the picture though the list is dated 1960 the image looks pre-1960; handwritten list of Sunday School Teachers from 1957, no image; an A4 copy of one of the previous collage photos of outside the Church with numerous members, no names given; A4 image of GS Methodist church members, no names but minister appears 2nd row, third from left; a second copy of that image; Image of Band of Hope Conference, Bendigo, William Irving identified but undated; opportunity for naming those in image; A4 image with names and faces of Young Ladies Class of G.S.M.S.S. undated; 1/2 A4 size 'With Compliments' card enclosing as per earlier image of of Mines along New Chum Reef circa 1860; handwritten list of trustees from 1957, no image; collage of 2 images, one of previous shot of outside the church with members gathered, the other of the choir in action; copies of line ads for Bendigo Advertiser beginning with 30 July 1859 and relating to the Begelhole family and a list of Descendants of Henry William Bugelhoal / Begelhole on 3 stapled A4 typed pages, back to 1791; Another almost A4 image of the mines along the New Chum Line of Reef, with GSMC in the background; a smaller image of an unidentified marriage and Minister behind which is a larger image of the same; two versions of 1/2 A4 size 'With Compliments' cards, one of card enclosing images re- Commemorative pavers and associated memorabilia, and two women one of whom looks to be Barbara Mamouney. And one (with Comps) of paper with no image inside; a typed list of names of those in an undisclosed photo.golden square uniting church, the cornish in bendigo, list of photos (images)

Grey soft covered booklet, Ministerial Index Of Deaths Methodist Church Of Australia 9th Edition 1855 - 1961, In Memoriam Ministers Who Have Died Since The First Conference 1855, alphabetically arranged.church, history, methodist, religion-methodist-ministers

Book of Hymns with black hard cover and gold lettering on spine. Published by London Wesleyan Conference Office, name written in pencil inside front cover G.A.Pethard and on page ends in ink initials GAP.books, music, religion

George Pethards book of hymns with black soft cover and gold lettering on front & spine, published by London Wesleyan Conference Office. Written in ink inside front cover, G.A.Pethard Golden Square 1905.books, music, religion

Lydia Pethards book of hymns with black soft cover and gold lettering, published by London Wesleyan Conference Office. Name written in pencil inside front cover, Lydia Pethard.books, music, religion

An assortment of ephemera in a plastic bag. (I) A handwritten list of concert items relating to W.W.I. (II) A Christmas gift card sent to the Pethard family. (III) Pte. W.H. Pethard A.I.F. Name tag. (IV) Lucerne post card with an unknown family message. (V) 2 empty envelopes. One has been sent from the front to Miss Lydia Pethard and has a censor stamp on it. (VI) A small cream sports meeting programme for the 2nd Aust. Inf. Brigade dated 11-6-17. (VII) A small map of Bendigo for attendees of the Independent Order of Rackabites Annual Conference held in Bendigo on March 13th to 16th, 1916. (VIII) An airgraph letter sent to Mrs. L. Chancellor from Wilf. Leech, RAAF Base, London 1944 thanking her for a hamper she sent him - through the ACF -the Australian Comforts Fund . (IX) An empty book titled 'Golden Square Methodist Girls Guild.' (X) A small brown 'Cole's Pocket Spelling Guide.'lydia chancellor, collection, ephemera, world war 1, entertainment, concert, music, australian infantry force, lucurne, post card, correspondence, communication, australian infantry brigade sports programme, independent order of rackebites, map, bendigo, airgraph, hamper, world war ii, australian comforts fund, spelling guide, education

Typed and hand written notes on 'Gold Rushes around Bendigo', Eaglehawk Police Station, Bells In and Around Bendigo, Bendigo Historical Society Newsletter, Mr Henry Jones - Gold Buyer, and Sir John Quick. Gold Rushes Around Bendigo tells of some gold finds around Bendigo. Eaglehawk Police Station tells of the Building of the Log Lockups at Eaglehawk and White Hills and where the idea came from. Also the cost of building and source of logs. Bells In and Around Bendigo tell of a tram employee ringing a bell and shouting to all that the tram terminus at the Railway Station was discontinued. When this was sufficiently known the bell went to the Bridge Street Methodist Church. The BHS Newsletter mentions business men's names and connection with their trade. Mr Henry jones - Gold Buyer mentions where his office was and that you could buy gold and money could be exchanged as well. Sir John Quick page tells of the early life of Sir John Quick and his self-education, of the A. N. A. opening in Victoria.document, names of bendigo pioneers, bendigo goldfields, gold rushes around bendigo, caltex oil co, matt egan, thos fleck, knight's brick kiln, water commission, work shops, l king, r king, j mumberry, a kelly, 'auld dart', robert fallon, mrs jane stinton, joch, vol 1 gold nuggets literary society files (manuscript written 1852-1882.), john o'c hattam, eaglehawk police station, mr w perry, log lock-ups, john fry, charles fry, bendigo advertiser 30/3/1949, alex h stone, bendigo advertiser 20/41949, milburn's coffee palace, shell service station, bridge street methodist church, mr don hargreaves, bendigo historical society newsletter, mr buzza, mr ankle, mr foote, mr scales, mr bull, mr mutton, mr body, mr satori, mr tankard, mr punch, mr snowball, mr sweet, mr goody, mr pallett, mr frame, mr henry jones, bendigo advertiser centenary of bendigo supplement 1951, sir john quick, a w llewelyn, australian natives association, friendly society, virginia battery, commonwealth parliament, federation league, mr alfred deakin, mr d'esterre taylor, mr peacock, mr barret, mr george reid, corowa conference 1893, poet gay, bendigo cemetery, centenary history ana 1871-1971, john e menadue

The Methodist Youth Fellowship was for young people from 15 - 25 year old, which regularly, usually on Friday evenings. They organised camps and summer school conferences.Two foolscap Roneoed sheets of paper which give the Study Groups and Officials for the 4th Annual Camp, Heathmont & East Ringwood Olinda Methodist Youth Fellowship Camp 1963. methodist youth fellowship

The Methodist Youth Fellowship was for young people from 15 - 25 year old, which regularly, usually on Friday evenings. They organised camps and summer school conferences.Foolscap Roneoed document which details of the St Margaret's Methodist Youth Fellowship Leaders and young people in 1962.methodist youth fellowship

Stewardship Campaign was a method of systematic giving which lost popularity in the 1960s.Methodist Church of Australasia (Victoria and Tasmania Conference) Department of Stewardship Promotion buff card with red text.methodist church of australasia stewardship campaign

The programme is for the Victorian Methodist Centenary 1935-36 Thanksgiving Meeting which was held at the Melbourne Town Hall on Wednesday, 2nd October, 1935 at 7.30 pm. Speakers were the President of the Conference and Rev J W Grove, Rev T C Rentoul, Mr J W Kitto and Rev R Williams. The address was given by Rev Professor A E Albiston, Secretary General.Pale green paper with green text and image of John Wesley. Attached inside is a pink slip of paper for a donation to the Centenary Thanksgiving Fund. The back of the programme has a line pencil drawing of the first church, 1839, Corner of Swanston Street and Flinders Lane, Melbourne.victorian methodist centenary 1935-36, rev prof a e albiston

The Methodist Youth Fellowship was for young people from 15 - 25 years old which met regularly, usually on Friday evenings. They organised camps and summer school conferences. Buninyong is a town 11 km from Ballarat, Victoria.French navy wool blazer with a pocket on the left breast with appliqued Methodist Youth Fellowship emblem. The blazer has yellow grosgrain ribbon at the cuffs and the top of the three pockets; it has two buttons and a buttonhole on the left lapel. It has a black half lining and the sleeves are lined with striped fabric.On breast pocket: "BUNINYONG"methodist youth fellowship, buninyong

The Annual Dedication Service of the Methodist Girls' Comradeship and the Methodist Order of Knights was held on Monday 19 February, 1951 at 7.45pm at Wesley Church, Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. The Chariman was the Rev C Gallacher and the address was given by the President-Elect of the Conference the Rev B L Semmens. The organist was Mr Frank Williams. The Anthem was sung by the MGC/MOK Choir of Hyde Street, Footscray.Pale blue bi-fold paper with blue text. The front has images of the Methodist Girls' Comradeship and Methodist Order of Knights badges. It contains the order of service for the MGC and MOK annual dedication service.methodist girls' comardeship, methodist order of knights, methodist young people's department, rev c gallacher, rev b l semmens, wesley church lonsdale street melbourne

The Inspirational Meeting and Communion Service for the Methodist Girls' Comradeship and the Methodist Order of Knights was held on Wednesday 3 January, 1951 at 8pm at Wesley Church, Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. The address was given by Rev H Palmer Phillips, President of Conference and Crusade Director. The Chairman was the Rev C Gallacher, Director of the Young People's Department, and the organist was Mr Frank Williams. Pale blue-green bi-fold paper with blue text. The front has images of the Methodist Girls' Comradeship and Methodist Order of Knights. It contains the order of service for the MGC and MOK Inspirational Meeting and Communion Service.methodist girls' comardeship, methodist order of knights, methodist young people's department, rev c gallacher, wesley church lonsdale street melbourne, frank williams, rev h palmer phillips

The Rev Charles Kingston Daws was president (1957) of the Victoria and Tasmania Conference, and president-general (1969-72) of the Methodist Church of Australasia. Two metal printing plates in a buff "Spectator Publishing" envelope which has ink handwriting on the front. G138.1 and G138.2 printing plates. G138.3 envelope.On envelope: "C. K. Daws Original Block Church Crest Do not use Hold for making Electros or Sterios"rev c k daws, methodist church of australasia, methodist minister, president of conference

The foundation stone of the New Wesleyan Church, Were Street, Brighton, Victoria was laid by Mrs W P Wells, the wife of the Superintendent of the Brighton Circuit and President of the Victorian Wesleyan Conference in 1887. The foundation stone was temporarily removed in the late 1930s and the 1937 publication "Were Street Jubilee" details the "proposed Jubilee Church". The same trowel was used when the stone was re-laid in 1955 at the beginning of the construction on the new church. S060.1 Silver commemorative trowel with a bone handle. The front and back both have inscriptions. The front has heavily engraved decoration. S060.2: Presentation box for S060.1. Teal colour rouched satin lined box made of brown leather.S060.1 Front: "TO MRS W. P. Wells ON THE OCCASION OF HER LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE Wesleyan Church WERE STREET BRIGHTON APRIL 2ND 1887" S090.1 Back: "THIS TROWEL WAS USED BY REV. A.W.PEDERICK, L.TH. PRESIDENT OF THE CONFERENCE TO Lay the Foundation Stone of the new WERE STREET METHODIST CHURCH 30th JULY 1955".rev a w pederick, mrs w p wells, rev william p wells, were street methodist church brighton victoria, wesleyan church were street brighton victoria

BP019.1 VOLII; BP019.2 VOLIII; BP019.3 Vol IV; BP019.4 Vol V and BP019.5 Vol VI. Five dark brown/red linen hard covered books with gilt text on the spine. Each volume has a library sticker inside the front cover. Full title: "The lives of early Methodist Preachers chiefly written by themselves edited by Thomas Jackson".non-fictionvaughan wesleyan sunday school library

The new Warrnambool Methodist Church was opened on 1st April 1939. The Church complex was designed by Messrs A.S. and R.A. Eggleston and built by J.D.E. and T. Walter. It comprised a church seating 430 people, an assembly hall seating 300, kindergarten and primary classrooms. The three ministers present in the photograph were: Rev B. Wylie (Hamilton), Rev N. Secombe (President of Conference), Rev N. Kemp (Warrnambool)B & W photo of the Trustees and 3 ministers at the opening of the new Warrnambool Methodist Church in 1939. Mounted on folded card. Men identified on the inside of the card.warrnambool methodist church, trustees, rev. b. wylie, rev. n. secombe, rev n. kemp, a.s. eggleston, r.a. eggleston

In 1889 the Wesleyan Conference resolved that the Corryong & Cudgewa Home Mission Stations should be made a circuit.B & W exterior view of the Cudgewa Methodist Church.cudgewa methodist church

The opening services of the Glendearg Grove Methodist Church South Malvern were held on 5th February 1905. The church had seating for 400 people and was built at a cost of 1200 pounds. The President of Conference the Rev. W.H. Fitchett D.D. preached at the opening services.Sepia photograph showing the laying of the foundation stone of the Glendearg Grove Methodist Church in 1904. Top hatted gentlemen stand in front of a crowd, with flags flying.Laying the foundation stone 1904 Glendearg Grove Malvern.glendearg grove malvern, methodist, rev. w.h. fitchett, president of conference

The opening services of the Glendearg Grove Methodist Church South Malvern were held on 5th February 1905. The church had seating for 400 people and was built at a cost of 1200 pounds. The President of Conference the Rev. W.H. Fitchett D.D. preached at the opening services.Sepia photograph showing the exterior of the Glendearg Grove Methodist Church. The image is a side view of the brick church buildings, showing additions which were built in 1918.glendearg grove malvern, methodist

The opening services of the Glendearg Grove Methodist Church South Malvern were held on 5th February 1905. The church had seating for 400 people and was built at a cost of 1200 pounds. The President of Conference the Rev. W.H. Fitchett D.D. preached at the opening services. An extension was added to the church in 1918.B & W postcard showing the front of the Glendearg Grove Methodist Church, South Malvern. The church is behind a picket fence, and a woman stands on the path with a pram.Glendearg Grove Methodist Church as it was 1904 - 1918.glendearg grove malvern, methodist

The opening services of the Glendearg Grove Methodist Church South Malvern were held on 5th February 1905. The church had seating for 400 people and was built at a cost of 1200 pounds. The President of Conference the Rev. W.H. Fitchett D.D. preached at the opening services.Sepia photograph showing the the Glendearg Grove Methodist Sunday School. glendearg grove malvern, methodist, sunday school

The opening services of the Glendearg Grove Methodist Church South Malvern were held on 5th February 1905. The church had seating for 400 people and was built at a cost of 1200 pounds. The President of Conference the Rev. W.H. Fitchett D.D. preached at the opening services.Sepia postcard showing an exterior view of the Glendearg Grove Methodist Church, taken from the street. The church is surrounded by a picket fence.glendearg grove malvern, methodist, sunday school

In October 1863 the Rev. James Bickford visited Sale to explore the possibilities of establishing a Methodist cause there. In March 1864 a group of 8 local men petitioned Conference to appoint a minister. The men were: Nehemiah Guthridge, G. Ross, J.H. Walters, J.E. Derrick, G.E. Hawkins, R. Gibbs, J.J. Drew, J. James. The Rev. Henry Baker arrived in the Gippsland Circuit later in 1864. The first Methodist services in Sale were held in the Mechanics Institute, but by July 1865 a Methodist church had been opened for worship. A Sunday School was constructed in 1886. The Sale Methodist Church was renovated at a cost of 2500 pounds in 1951. The new Sale Methodist Church was opened on 25 September 1965.B & W interior view of the new Sale Methodist Church. The image of the apse shows a communion table, cross, font, pulpit and flowers.methodist, sale, rev. james bickford, rev henry baker, gippsland circuit

In October 1863 the Rev. James Bickford visited Sale to explore the possibilities of establishing a Methodist cause there. In March 1864 a group of 8 local men petitioned Conference to appoint a minister. The men were: Nehemiah Guthridge, G. Ross, J.H. Walters, J.E. Derrick, G.E. Hawkins, R. Gibbs, J.J. Drew, J. James. The Rev. Henry Baker arrived in the Gippsland Circuit later in 1864. The first Methodist services in Sale were held in the Mechanics Institute, but by July 1865 a Methodist church had been opened for worship. A Sunday School was constructed in 1886. The Sale Methodist Church was renovated at a cost of 2500 pounds in 1951. The new Sale Methodist Church was opened on 25 September 1965.B & W exterior view of the Sale Methodist Church showing a group of women and girls, hatted and gloved, standing in front of the church.methodist, sale, rev. james bickford, rev henry baker, gippsland circuit