FOREWORD

The following pages give to us the story of Methodism in Waimate over the past 100

years. From its pages we are reminded of many people who have given leadership in

their respective spheres. We are also mindful of the number of people whose names

are not mentioned, people who through their loyalty and devotion have enriched the

fellowship, and without whom there would be no history to write.

This history is dedicated to all those who in the past have worshipped and served Jesus

Christ through the fellowship of the Waimate Methodist Church.

Our thanks are due to the Rev. J. Haslam for the time and care he has devoted to the

preparation of this history.

This centennial year is a time when we remember the heritage that has been given to

us, and it is a challenge to accept the opportunities of the future.

I. J. CLUCAS.

September, 1963.

IN THE BEGINNING.

The beginnings of Methodism in Waimate can be traced back to the year 1863 with

the arrival and settlement in the town of Messrs John and George Manchester,

accredited local preachers from the Grantham Circuit in England. They were

accompanied by Mr and Mrs S. W. Goldsmith.

On reaching Timaru in the ship Strathallan in January. 1859, the Manchester Brothers

reported themselves to Rev. John Aldred from whom they received their quarterly

ticket of membership. Unable to secure employment in Timaru they went to the

Hunter Hill Station and worked there for four years. In the last year of their stay at the

Station, Mr and Mrs S. W. Goldsmith arrived there. Both were then unconverted, but

being fond of singing they united with the Manchester Brothers for the purpose, and

by their prayer and example were led to Christ.

In 1863 the three men removed to Waimate and entered into business as the trading

firm of Manchester Brothers & Goldsmith. Though keen men of business, they were

likewise fervent in spirit, and soon set to work to establish a Methodist society. In

June, 1863, the three partners went to Timaru to hear the Rev James Buller, then

chairman of the extensive Canterbury district. He visited Waimate and appointed Mr

John Manchester a class leader. The original members of the class were John, George

and William Manchester, S. W. and Mrs Goldsmith, W. Day, B. and M. Tregoning

and J. W. Freeman. Others were added during the following year. Other classes were

formed under the leadership of George Manchester and S. W. Goldsmith. Mr

Goldsmith’s class was soon handed over to Mrs Pain, and for many years the three

classes met regularly. Very soon public services were started, the first sermon being

preached by John Manchester who took as his text Isaiah 3, verses 11 and 12.

In 1865 the Rev. J. B. Richardson was appointed to the Timaru circuit. Soon after his

arrival he found his way to Waimate, and afterwards paid regular visits. Waimate was

then a small town of less than 300 inhabitants, and among them Mr Richardson

discovered a number of families who had Methodist connections in England, several

of them being of Cornish extraction. A church site was given, and a small building, 25

feet by 18 feet, was erected at a cost of £110. The opening service was conducted by

the Rev. Wm. Cannell, then stationed at Oamaru. Into this tiny structure the

worshippers were called to service by a bell. The original trustees were Samuel W.

Goldsmith, Bennet Tregoning, Benjamin Fox, Richard Champion, Henry Butcher,

Joseph Maberley, Robert Stevenson and John Blackmore.

The name of George Manchester appears from the beginning as church steward and

trust secretary, though his election as a trustee is dated October 8th, 1870, when

George H. Graham, John Opie and John Manchester also became trustees. Soon after

the little church was opened, a Sunday School was started, Mr S. W. Goldsmith being

the first superintendent, a position he held to within a year of the end of his life in

1895. For the first ten years the congregation had to depend upon a precentor to lead

the singing, and this office usually fell upon Mr Goldsmith. From what can be

gathered from the old minutes the congregational singing of those days left much to be

desired. Meanwhile, Mr Goldsmith was asked to organise a singing class (with a view

to improving the singing in connection with our services in Waimate). At the same

time Mr George Manchester was asked to assist Bro. Goldsmith by allowing Miss

Pain to practice on his harmonium, and if possible, that the harmonium be used in the

church. Misunderstandings arose, and the singing class failed to materialise. The

trustees then appointed John Opie and S. W. Goldsmith to take steps to organise a

singing class (with a view to improving the congregational singing as much as

possible, and to practice with Miss Pain at the harmonium at least once a week to

prepare for the Sabbath services).

ENLARGEMENT

During the ministry of the Rev. R. Bavin (1867-1871) the church was enlarged by 15

feet, the enlargement costing £60. In 1875 a more prominent site was acquired in

Queen street for £60, and on it in the following year there was built a church of wood

capable of seating 300 persons. It cost £1100, of which £571 was raised before the

opening services which were conducted by the Rev. Wm. Lee. Contributions were

evidently made on a generous scale, for the debt was paid off by the end of the year.

LINKS WITH TIMARU

For several years it was the practice of the Timaru minister to spend the third Sunday

of the month in Waimate, taking the services, doing pastoral work on the Saturday

preceding and on the Monday following, presiding at trustee meetings on the Saturday

evening if there were any matters requiring attention, and preaching again on the

Monday evening. Additional ministerial assistance was forthcoming in 1871 by the

appointment of a second minister to the circuit. Two of these, Mr Hewlitt in 1872, and

Mr Dewsbury in 1873, resided in Waimate, after which the residence of the second

minister was changed to Temuka. For the first 12 years, however, on nine Sundays of

the quarter the services were taken by local preachers. One of these, Mr E. Holdgate,

rode down from Timaru regularly once a quarter, but the other services were

conducted by John and George Manchester and W. J. Sercombe, this last named

gentleman being one of the earliest school teachers in Waimate. After a period away

from the town he returned to take charge of the school at Hunter.

A SEPARATE CIRCUIT

Waimate remained part of the Timaru circuit for 12 years. The growth of the cause,

and the need for more constant pastoral supervision led in 1877 to the establishment of

Waimate as a separate circuit, the first minister being the Rev. Henry Ellis who

presided over his first quarterly meeting on April 9th of that year, 12 officials being

present. Messrs George Manchester and Joseph Martin were appointed circuit

stewards, Henry Ross society steward, and James Nind door steward. It is interesting

to note that Joseph Martin was the father of the late Hon. Lee Martin who was once a

boy in the Sunday school, and later

in life, Minister of Agriculture in the Cabinets of Michael Joseph Savage and Peter

Fraser. The Rev. J. F. Martin, a younger son, became one of the ministers of our New

Zealand Methodist Connexion.

CIRCUIT MINISTERS 1877-1896

1. Ellis; 2. Fee; 3. Lewis; 4. Griffin; 5. Gray; 6. Rowse;

7. Thomas; 8. Smalley; 9. Murray; 10. Dukes.

At the June quarterly meeting, 1877, it was reported that the number of members

within the bounds of the circuit was 45, but the number was doubled in 1878 during

the ministry of the Rev. Thos. Fee as the result of a successful mission conducted by

the Rev J. S. Smalley and Mrs Smalley. With the appointment of the Rev. J. J. Lewis,

in 1880 the circuit was faced with the necessity of providing a parsonage, and in

January, 1881, Mr John Manchester was instructed “to buy Mrs Pain’s property on

behalf of the trustees at auction on Saturday next at any sum below £125 for equity of

redemption.” The house was bought and furnished, and was occupied as a parsonage

until 1881, when a brick building in Exeter street was bought and remodelled during

the ministry of the Rev. W. G. Thomas. In 1881 a new American organ was purchased

for use in the church, and the harmonium was handed over to the Sunday school. The

circuit debt which in 1884 amounted to £100 caused the circuit officials some anxiety,

and during May of the following year a campaign for funds was set in motion with the

result that the whole of the debt was wiped out.

DISASTER

In April, 1886, disaster overtook the circuit; a fire which originated in a hotel nearby

got out of control and destroyed both church and Sunday school. Fortunately there

was an insurance of £900 on the buildings, and immediate steps were taken to secure

the Temperance Hall in Shearman Street which had been erected in 1870. The

purchase price was £120, and the building, being 60 feet by 40 feet, was large enough

to seat 150 people, and in it public worship was conducted for a time. A new church

was felt to be needed, but differences of opinion respecting a site led to some delay. In

May, 1887, however, the offer of the Manchester Brothers of the site of the present

church was agreed upon, and a brick church with Oamaru stone facings, 55 feet by 36

feet with seating accommodation for 300 people, was decided upon. Towards the end

of the year the foundation stone of the present church (St. Paul’s) was laid by the Rev.

Wm. Rowse, the Circuit Minister. The opening services were conducted by the Rev.

W. J. Williams in June, 1888. The cost of the building was £1100, but at the time of

the opening services the debt remaining was only £100. Church-going was the custom

in those days, and pew rents were looked upon as a source of trust income.

Present Church

The demand for seats was so great that non-renters were crowded out. A gallery was

suggested, whereupon good friends offered to finance four-fifths of the cost on

condition that (1) the other fifth was forthcoming before the work was begun, and (2)

all seats in the gallery be free. The gallery was opened in February, 1889, and

provided an additional 75 seats. Even so, all was not plain going, for in 1891 Mr Nind

pressed for action to be taken to stop the noise in the gallery caused by boys. The

suggestion of the trustees was “that the minister should speak direct to them and

caution them.” Apparently Mr Smalley’s direct speech did not have a lasting effect,

for in the following year it was decided that more vigorous action be taken.

Nevertheless, the misbehaviour continued in spite of complaints until a prominent

member of the congregation offered to take a hand. Whatever his method, legend has

it that he succeeded in ending the nuisance.

It is of interest to record that when the predecessor of the present hymn book (that

edited by Sir Fredk. Bridge) was about to be introduced the trustees of the day had

problems to face. Hymn books were secured during 1906, and the choir was requested

to practice the new tunes first in order that the new book might be used by the

congregation as a whole on the first Sunday of 1907. On January 26th, a special

trustee meeting was held, for some opposition had been expressed regarding the

singing of the Amen at the close of the many hymns where it was inserted. The

trustees resolved “that the singing of the Amen be discontinued, and that the choir be

informed of the same, and this resolution to include the non-playing of the same by

the organ: Proviso: this resolution does not apply to the singing of the Amen after the

Benediction at the evening service.” The choir rose in protest, and a deputation waited

on the trustees and stated “that the action of the trustees would have the tendency of

discouraging the choir, and especially the choir leader and the organist in not being

allowed to sing Amen in the church when, in their opinion, it would best serve the

church by granting the liberty of so doing, as many of the anthems they sing demand

the Amen to finish them.” When the deputation withdrew the trustees discussed the

matter at length, and arrived at this decision: “The resolution passed at the last

meeting, and which the choir appears to object to, referred only to the playing or

singing Amen at the end of each hymn, and it was never intended to apply to anthems

or any other music the choir may wish to sing or play: and that the choir be informed

that the trustees wish them to have the same liberty as they had before the introduction

of the new hymn book.” This ended the matter. Happily we are no longer bound by

some of the narrow conventions that hedged our church forbears.

In 1914, due to the liberality of the late Mr W. F. Cheverton, the church was enlarged

by the addition of the present choir recess and the vestries for minister and choir.

Early in the ministry of the Rev. W. B. Scott, memorial windows in honour of the

church pioneers replaced the original windows, thus adding to the beauty and dignity

of the interior. In 1950, largely through the generosity of the late George Dash,

M.B.E., the present Communion Rail was built. In 1953 the vestibule of the church

was enlarged by removing the partition back some eight feet into the church interior,

new carpeting was put down in the church aisles, and the front steps were made safer

for the descent of elderly people.

THE CHOIR

With the enlargement of the church in 1914, a pipe organ was procured and installed,

and the choir was provided with suitable and ample accommodation. Under the newly

appointed conductor, Mr Chas. Manchester, the choir entered upon a period of

prosperity, giving notable service in church worship, and sometimes performing

abroad. For example, in 1926, in the heyday of its strength, assisted by some local and

visiting artists, a successful Demonstration Concert was given in the Olympia Hall. In

the following year the Cantata, “The Haymakers,” was rendered with the assistance of

Messrs Allan Shrimpton and H. C. Foster as chief principals, and the then Mrs Allan

Shrimpton as a very capable stage director.

Those were the days before the five-day shopping and working week was introduced,

and choir members would come to the Thursday evening practices in good numbers

and ready for solid work. With the introduction of the five- day week it was found that

the only suitable time for choir practice was after the Sunday evening service, a time

which demanded greater loyalty on the part of choir members than the previous

arrangement. In August, 1948, after 34 years of fine service, Mr Manchester resigned

from the position of choirmaster, his long term of office being heartily recognised at a

social held in his honour in the schoolroom in September. He was succeeded by Mr

Rutherford Brown, a musician and singer of distinction, and for 12 years the choir had

the benefit of his musical knowledge and skill as a conductor, Christmas and Easter

music being a special feature of his leadership. On taking over the conductorship of

the Choral Society, together with the pressure of business, he felt compelled to resign

as conductor, but he continues as a member of the choir. The present conductor, Mr

Clarrie Hawkey, has taken over in the least inspiring time in the choir’s history.

Membership of late has been of a fluctuating nature. Teachers, for example, have

appeared for a time and vanished away to other appointments, and vacancies have not

been filled to the same degree as withdrawals. It is hoped that recruits will soon be

forthcoming to bring back the choir to its former proficiency. In the course of years

there have been several organists, those officiating at the morning service being more

numerous than those taking the organ at the evening service. Before the days of the

pipe organ, Mrs W. J. Dailey, only sister of Mr Chas. Manchester, gave long service

as organist. Among those presiding at the pipe organ, mention should be made of Miss

Cameron, Mrs Smith, then Miss Bessie Brownlee, Mrs Wm. Deady, formerly Miss

Gay Reeve, Mrs Melbourne Joyce, and in especial Mrs Max (Vera) Hayman whose

service extended over 20 years. Mrs Rutherford Brown is at present taking the organ

at the evening service, and Mr Graham Fiebig in the morning. Miss Gladys Kennard

has been choir secretary since 1938.

The pipe organ which was installed in 1914 proved a somewhat costly purchase, being

in frequent need of repair, and generally proving itself to be a temperamental creation,

subject particularly to atmospheric conditions. The only man at all capable of coping

with its moods was Mr Chas. Manchester, who had frequently to find his way through

a narrow aperture into the bowels of the instrument and coax it into action. As long as

all went well the tone of the organ was satisfying, but it was often a trial on the

patience of organist and choirmaster in particular. In February, 1949, it was decided

that the pipe organ be abandoned, and that an endeavour be made to purchase a new

instrument. After the committee appointed had given its opinion it was authorised to

purchase a Minshall organ, and in due course a small committee was appointed to

arrange for its installation, and the organ committee was given power to dispose of the

saleable parts of the pipe organ, a duty they succeeded in discharging. The Minshall

organ has been in service for some years, but has not given full satisfaction, and

arrangements are under way for its sale and the purchase of a more satisfactory

instrument, a Baldwin Organ 5A, in time (it is hoped) for the celebrations.

THE PARSONAGE

In 1907, during the pastorate of the Rev. T. A. Joughin, it was decided to build a new

parsonage in Coronation Street. It was ready for occupation in the following year, the

Rev. Paul Fairclough being the first to occupy it. Soon after his coming to the circuit

in 1946, the Rev. Oswald Burnet, a practical carpenter and joiner before he entered the

ministry, suggested to the trustees that the back portion of the parsonage be

remodelled. After an inspection by the trustees under Mr Burnet’s guidance and

subsequent consultations together, the trustees authorised the alterations to be gone on

with. The work was done under Mr Burnet’s supervision, he himself doing most of the

work. The alterations added to the comfort of the parsonage occupants.

The subsequent history of the minister’s residence is best told here. Fourteen ministers

followed the Rev. Paul Fairclough in the Coronation Street parsonage. Then in 1958 it

was decided to sell the property as repairs to the building were becoming costly.

Subject to the consent of the Church Building and Loan Fund Committee, which was

given, an offer of £1878 was accepted. A section for a new parsonage had been

donated, plans for the new building had been approved, and the trustees with whom

the Nukuroa trustees had been joined, were on the point of calling for tenders for its

erection when it came to their knowledge that the property of the late Mr Tom Parry in

Shearman Street, in every way suitable for a parsonage, was about to be put on the

market. The trustees acted quickly and secured it, effecting a considerable saving in

outlay by so doing. The present parsonage has the additional advantage of being near

to the church, and of more convenient access to the minister.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

The year 1928 was a happy one for church officials and Sunday school teachers and

scholars. A letter was received from the legal firm of Messrs Hamilton & Fitch,

informing the trustees that under the will of the late Mr W. F. Cheverton a bequest of

£1000 had been made for the purpose of the erection of a new Sunday school. With

the sum already in hand for the purpose the trustees decided to act at once. Mr J. I.

Hayman was instructed to prepare plans, and all was in readiness for the laying of the

foundation stones in August of that year. The occasion was a historic one, and may be

best recorded in the words of the report which appeared in the Waimate Daily

Advertiser on Monday, August 27th, 1928.

“The ceremony of the laying of two foundations of the new Waimate Methodist

Sunday school was performed on Saturday, Mr John Bitchener, the member for the

district, laid one, and Mrs Geo. Manchester Snr., widow of the late Mr George

Manchester, who for many years was superintendent of the Methodist Sunday

school, laid the other.

“The Methodist Minister (Rev. J. H. Haslam) presided, and with him on the

platform were Rev. Mr Grigg, chairman of the South Canterbury Methodist

district, Mr J. Bitchener, M.P., Rev. Canon Cocks, Rev. W. F. Nichol, Mrs George

Manchester Snr., and Mrs W. J. Dailey.

“Mr Haslam said that at last the long looked for Sunday school was taking shape;

and it was fitting that thanks should be expressed to those who had made the

undertaking possible. The nucleus of the fund had come into being through the sale

of the former Primitive Methodist property. After Union Conference had directed

that the proceeds of any such sale be earmarked for a new Sunday school, and

consequently the new Sunday school would serve as a symbol of Methodist Union.

However, it was chiefly due to the generosity of the late W. F. Cheverton that the

Church had been placed in the happy position of being able to build. But for the

late war a new Sunday school would have been built long ago. On the earnest

advice of Mr Cheverton the project had been deferred, and he had seen to it that

the scheme did not suffer through the delay. At a later date it was proposed to have

prepared and unveiled in the new building a tablet to Mr Cheverton, the generous

donor of the largest part of the building fund. It was expected that the building

would be opened free of debt, but the trustees were anxious to put entirely new

furniture in the building, and it was solely for this reason that an appeal was being

made. Donations for the purpose would be gratefully received. Mr Haslam

cordially welcomed the Rev. Mr Grigg to the function as Chairman of the District.

It was with delight that he also welcomed Mrs George Manchester Snr., to the

platform. When the laying of the foundation stones was under discussion it was

unanimously decided that Mrs G. Manchester Snr., was one of the most fitting

persons to take part in the ceremony, she being the oldest survivor of any who

taught in the old Sunday School, but it was more for the reason that for 40 years

her husband was superintendent of the school, a record which the trustees thought

they could most fittingly mark by associating Mrs Manchester with the present

ceremony. The speaker also welcomed Mr Bitchener as an old scholar of the

Sunday School, and thanked him for consenting to come and lay one of the stones.

The Church was proud that one of its old scholars had attained the position in

political life held by Mr Bitchener. It was usual to offer to those laying a

foundation stone a trowel as a souvenir of the occasion, but on the present

occasion something more distinctive was being done. Two mallets had been made

from a totara beam from the Temperance Hall, the old Methodist Sunday School

(the timber was as good today as when cut out of the Waimate bush fully 60 years

ago) and the speaker was sure Mrs Manchester and Mr Bitchener would prize the

mallet as being of unusual sentimental value. He then called upon them to lay the

stones.

After Mrs Manchester and Mr Bitchener had officially laid the foundation stones,

Mr Bitchener addressed the gathering. He thanked those responsible for inviting

him to take part, and said that the laying of the stone brought to his mind several

incidents of his life. He was an old scholar of the Waimate Methodist Sunday

school, and he was proud that he was one of the early scholars. The new Sunday

school was being built on the site of the speaker’s first home in Waimate some 53

years ago, and he thought both his father and uncle lived on the same spot at that

time. Mr Bitchener paid tribute to the Sunday school teachers who, he said,

deserved the best thanks of the community for the good work they were doing

quietly and well. He did not think anything would be more gratifying to them than

to see the children grow up good men and women. I hope and trust that this

Sunday school will fulfil the best objects for which it is being built, he concluded,

and that many children will grow up better men and women by training in the

school.”

Further addresses were given by the Rev Wm. Grigg, the Rev. Canon Cocks and the

Rev. W. F. Nichol, Presbyterian Minister, expressing congratulations and good

wishes; and after the Benediction had been pronounced the gathering adjourned to the

Temperance Hall for afternoon tea. Several donations were received for the furnishing

fund.

On Sunday, March 10th, 1929, the opening services were conducted by Rev. Wm.

Grigg, District Chairman, and were largely attended. On the following Wednesday, a

tea meeting was held in the new Sunday School, and was followed by a concert

programme interspersed by addresses by the Revs. Grigg, Nichol and Haslam, who

submitted a final financial statement showing that the building fund would

comfortably meet all commitments.

In 1929, the Temperance Hall and section were sold for £150.

Of late years accommodation in the Sunday school premises began to prove

inadequate, and after much consideration the trustees took action. Plans for

enlargement included the building of a parlour on the church side of the Sunday

school, and a Youth Block on the Shearman Street side; the kitchen was also to be

modernised. In due course the work was proceeded with, the late Mr A. W. Barnett

undertook financial responsibility for the parlour, and as a tribute to his memory, it is

known as the A. W. Barnett Memorial Parlour. The Youth Block and work in

connectom with the kitchen was financed by loans from church members, all of which

have since been redeemed. A committee of ladies was empowered to see to the

necessary furnishings. On November 30th, 1958, the dedication ceremony was

performed by the Rev. A. R. Witheford, District Chairman, after Miss Joyce Barnett

had turned the key of the parlour. The cost of the enlargements was in the region of

£6000.

The work of the Sunday School has had encouraging results through the years. As

already stated four early scholars reached distinction, viz., the Hon. John Bitchener,

O.B.E., who represented the Waitaki Electorate for 16 years, and was Minister of

Public Works in the Forbes-Coates Ministry and through the years of his public life

held several offices in South Canterbury, among which was the chairmanship of the

Waimate County Council for several years preceding his death in 1951 at the age of

88; the Hon. Lee Martin, who was Minister of Agriculture in the Michael Joseph

Savage and Peter Fraser Ministries; the Rev. J. F. Martin, who was a Minister of the

Methodist Church of New Zealand; and Mr George Dash, M.B.E., who was for 17

years Mayor of Waimate, and later for some years chairman of the South Canterbury

Power Board.

Commencing with only a few scholars in 1865 the Sunday school grew with the

growing town until in 1890 the number on the roll reached 300 with a staff of 28

teachers. These were the peak days in the history of the Sunday school. The number of

scholars today is small in comparison, being now 54 on the roll with a teaching staff

of eight teachers in addition to the superintendent. There have been many secretaries.

The position of superintendent has been filled by S. W. Goldsmith, George

Manchester, W. Simpson, F. C. Matthews, A. Baker, J. W. White, J. I. Hayman, R. H.

White, F. Spargo, and K. Kippenberger. The present superintendent is Mr Ian

Bennington, who has filled the post since January, 1950.

Among Bible Class leaders mention should be made of Mr Allan Shearer who filled

the position acceptably for several years, the most distinguished member of his class

being Eric Haslam who was chosen as a Rhodes Scholar in 1934, and for the past 15

years has been one of the Economic Advisers in the Bank of England. Miss Gladys

Haslam (Mrs A. B. Hayman) was leader of the Girls’ Bible Class about the same

period. Youth work is still carried on successfully in the new quarters provided for the

purpose.

LADIES’ GUILD

St. Paul’s Ladies’ Guild is deserving of a word of special commendation. For many

years the late Mrs George A. Manchester was president of the Guild, a fine body of

devoted women, who gave invaluable service in many departments of the Church’s

work, and have continued to do so through the succeeding years. Until the

Stewardship campaigns of recent years remedied the situation, the offerings at public

worship were never sufficient to meet the running expenses of the circuit. Recourse to

special efforts was often necessary to keep church finances on an even keel, none of

which could have been undertaken without the co-operation of the Ladies’ Guild.

During the pastorate of the Rev. A. H. Fowles, Spring and Autumn Flower Shows

were instituted. When later, the Church’s example was followed by sister churches,

the Autumn Flower Show was yielded to our Presbyterian friends, but the Spring

Flower Show has continued to be a successful function of the Church’s activities, the

assistance of the Ladies’ Guild being a conspicuous feature. Some years later, junior

competitions were organised by the trustees, and again carried through with the co-

operation of the Ladies’ Guild, generally with very encouraging financial results.

However, this event began to prove a burdensome undertaking, and in 1954, the

trustees decided to discontinue responsibility and leave control in other hands. The

number of worshippers who remember the days of church lighting and heating by the

kerosene lamps, and later on by gas, are becoming few. Our Church is indebted to the

Ladies’ Guild to a large extent for their assistance in installing the more efficient

modern method of electric lighting and heating in the Church and parsonage.

In connection with Circuit finance, mention must be made of the fine contributions

made by the Nukuroa congregation, and to a lesser extent by Arno, Waihaorunga,

Waituna and Hunter, as long as they continued to be Circuit preaching places.

NOTABLE SERVICE

Waimate Church and Circuit can point to a proud roll of honour of devoted men and

women. John Manchester was a regular representative to Conference for many years,

and was regarded as a great Connexional man. It was largely due to his advocacy that

the Connexional Fire Insurance Fund was established.

George Manchester, his brother, was for 42 years Church Steward and Trust

Secretary, and from 1877 to 1907 he was Circuit Steward. In 1894 he followed Mr S.

W. Goldsmith as Sunday school superintendent, and occupied the position for 40

years. Mr Goldsmith held the position from 1865 to 1894, and died in the following

year. Both men won the respect and esteem of all who knew them. It may be noted

here that the Rev. J. A. Ziesler, M.A., B.D., Tutor at Trinity (Methodist) Theological

College, is a great grandson of Mr George Manchester.

The place of Mrs George Manchester Snr., has already been noted. She was well on in

her eighties when she passed away in 1932.

The service of Mrs G. A. Manchester, a choice lady, as Sunday school teacher and

president of the Ladies’ Guild has also been mentioned. Gracious in manner, she was

looked up to as a natural leader among women, a gift that was recognised not only by

the women of the Church, but also by the women of the various organisations in

Waimate instituted for the service of the community. She had a long life, surviving her

husband by several years, and dying at the ripe old age of 94.

John I. Hayman served the Church and Circuit with unfailing devotion for close upon

half a century as Local Preacher, trustee, Circuit Steward, Sunday school

superintendent, and member of the choir. He undertook the work of collecting for the

annual Harvest Thanksgiving, and could always be relied upon to assist in putting up

the tables for the Flower Show or any other Church gathering requiring them, and

putting them away after the function was over. Not the least tribute one can pay to him

is that he was a loyal friend of his minister. Like Mr George Dash he never faltered in

his efforts to bring about the abolition of the liquor traffic.

Karl Kippenberger rendered years of acceptable service as a thoughtful Local

Preacher. After retiring from Nukuroa where he had been schoolteacher and farmer,

he settled in Waimate, and was for a term Sunday school superintendent, and also

Circuit Steward.

Finally we come to Mr and Mrs M. E. Hayman. On Saturday, May 11th, 1963, at a

Congregational Social, a regretful farewell was tendered to them both, for they had

both given outstanding service to the Church and circuit for many years, Mr Max

Hayman chiefly as Circuit Steward, and Mrs (Vera) Hayman as organist. For years Mr

Hayman represented the Circuit at Synod and Conference; and it will not be forgotten

that he was the inspiring force and active worker in the building of the Bible Class

camp at Simmonds Park, or, as it is often called, Gunn’s Bush. Mrs Hayman in

addition to her service as organist, had been an enthusiastic member of the Waimate

branch of the M.W.M.U., and at various times held office as secretary and president.

Conspicuous as Circuit Stewards for a long term were George Manchester, J. I.

Hayman, and M. E. Hayman, while R. H. White, A. A. McKenzie, and John

McKenzie gave good service for shorter periods. The present Circuit Stewards are Mr

Gil. Thomas and Mr Rutherford Brown.

The Trust has had many secretaries, some serving for long periods as, e.g., George

Manchester, Dr E. C. Hayes, S. J. Hitchens, and Miss Gladys Kennard, who has held

the office since 1950. Other secretaries have been J. W. Manchester (son of John

Manchester), E. Warren, F. Nash, S. C. Bennington, A. Clements, W .P. Nelson, A. A.

McKenzie, and E. C. Horsley.

In closing, it might be noted that two of the Church’s ministers served as Secretary of

Conference, the Rev. A. N. Scotter, B.A., for six years, and Rev. J. H. Haslam for four

years. Eight of the Church’s ministers became President of the Conference, none of

them however, while stationed in Waimate. The names are given in the order of their

appointments to Waimate. They are, the Revs. T. Fee, J. J. Lewis, J. S. Smalley, D. J.

Murray, T. A. Joughin, P. W. Fairclough, A. N. Scotter B.A., and J. H. Haslam.

PRIMITIVE METHODISM IN WAIMATE

To complete the story of Methodism in Waimate, reference must be made to the place

of Primitive Methodism in the town. The appointment of the Rev. Josiah Ward to

Timaru in 1875 led to services being started in Waimate. They were held in the

Temperance Hall until a church was built in Harris Street. Ministerial visits were

infrequent, hence most of the services were conducted by Local Preachers, chief

amongst who were E. W. Hall and John Smith. For some time class meetings were led

by the saintly George Fow on Sunday mornings, while the preaching services were

held in the evening. With Mr D. R. Buckingham as superintendent, the Sunday school

met in the afternoon.

Until 1879 the cause was considered to be a part of the Timaru P.M. Circuit, but when

Oamaru was opened by Rev. C. E. Barley, Waimate and Oamaru were combined in a

new circuit, and remained so until Methodist Union took place in 1913. In the earlier

days the minister resided in Oamaru, but in 1895 the Rev. James Clover came to

Waimate, and during the term of his successor, Rev. Robert Raine, a parsonage was

built in Exeter Street. Other ministers who served the circuit in subsequent years were

the Revs. John Nixon, Joseph Sharp, John Harris and James Guy, the last named being

in charge when Methodist Union was consummated.

CIRCUIT MINISTERS

From 1877

1877 H. Ellis

1878 T. Fee

1880 J. J. Lewis

1882 C. Griffin —.

1884 J. H. Gray -

1887 W. Rowse

1888 W. G. Thomas

1890 J. S. Smalley

1893 D. J. Murray

1896 John Dukes

1899 Jos. Blight

1902 W. Tinsley

1906 T. A. Joughlin

1908 P. W. Fairclough, F.RA.S

1909 C. Penny

1912 G. F. Stockwell

1917 A. N. Scotter, B.A

1921 W. Becket ..

1924 A. H. Fowles

1926 J. H. Haslam

1929 W. B. Scott

1932 A. M. Costain

1936 H. L. Richards

1940 A. T. Kent

1943 H. L. Benny

1946 O. Burnet

1949 W. H. Gregory

1951 Gordon Parker, M.A., Ph.D.

1955 A. P. Dorrian

1960 I. J. Clucas