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