METHODIST CHURCH
the Rev. J. White “on behalf of the connexion he represents,” the Methodist Free Church. The first elected Committee was: Rev. J. White, —. Hudson, H. Masters, T. Crumpton, —. Renton, G. O. Clayton.
The first service held in the church was during August, 1867, but services were held earlier in the Courthouse and in hotels. On 17th March, 1867, a service was held in the Pakihi Hotel by a visiting minister, the Rev. W. Lewis, and on the morning of 12th May, 1867, services were held by the Rev. J. White, in the Courthouse during the morning and in the Casino de Venice at night. On 28th September, 1870, the church became a branch of the United Methodist Free Churches. The last service held in the church was in 1889, and some years later the building was sold for £25 to Mr. Denis Collins for removal. The church bell was, it is said, purchased by the County Council, who erected it as a call-bell at the Totara Ferry.
The Resident pastors were: Rev. Joseph White, 1867-1870; Rev. John Parkin, 1871-1875; Rev. John A. Caygill, 1876; Rev. Charles Penney, 1877-1878.
From 1879 to 1888 Charleston and Westport were worked together, the pastors for the combined areas being Rev. John Wesley Worboys, 1879; Rev. T. Hodgson, 1880; Rev. Joseph J. Pendray, 1881-1884; Rev. E. Ovenden Penney, 1885-1888.
It was from Charleston that services were established at Westport, the first being conducted by Rev. J. White on 5th August, 1871, in Mr. Frazer’s schoolroom, the Committee being Messrs. Neil, Frazer, Leach, Oaks, and two others whose names are unknown.
The first Charleston parsonage was a six-roomed house on Section 408 beside, or on the School Reserve in Darkie’s Terrace Road; purchased, with furniture, in April, 1871, for £150 from the Rev. J. White by whom it was privately owned. It was sold in December, 1876, without furniture, for £15 to H. Masters. It was then acquired by Mr. Roger Walker, and for many years occupied by him as a residence. It still stands, one of the few buildings now remaining in that once busy residential road. The second parsonage was a house on Section 350 (then privately held) adjoining the church,
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