Port Albert Methodist Church 1862-1967methodist.org.nz/files/docs/wesley historical/port albert...

Port Albert Methodist Church 1862-1967


PREFACE

This booklet is prepared as a Memorial to those who carried on

the work of the Methodist Church in the Port Albert Circuit.

Ministers, Home Missionaries and their wives; Students and

Local Preachers, Youth Workers and all who have helped

construct and maintain the buildings. Many whose names are

not mentioned in this short history have contributed to and

shared the Faith.

Our especial thanks to Rev. E. W. Hames for preparing and

writing this brief account.

H. Neal and L. W. Bennett for Church Trust.

"THE BEST OF ALL IS GOD IS WITH US."

To give and give and give again

What God has given thee

To spend thyself nor count the cost

To serve right gloriously

The God who gave all worlds that are

And all that are to be.

(Studdart Kennedy)


Methodism in Port Albert

It should not be necessary to tell again at length the 'story of the Albertland

settlements. This has been done fully and ably in THE ALBERTLANDERS by Sir

Henry Brett and Henry Hook, published 1927, and in the Albertland Centennial

Booklet, 1962. The founders of the district planned to do on a smaller scale on behalf

of English Nonconformists what had already been accomplished by the Scottish Free

Church in Otago and by the Anglicans in Canterbury. It must not be forgotten that at

this date the Nonconformists were still second-class citizens in England. Those who

joined the Association were fired by the ambition to acquire broad acres in a country

where they might hope to be free from the disabilities that still attached to them in the

land of their birth. It was a very idealistic project which attracted a number of land-

hungry Anglicans and non-churchmen of various kinds, though the leadership and the

great majority of the members were sturdy Non-conformists. Several thousand people

came to New Zealand under the scheme.

It was a high-minded muddle, impossible from the start. The promoters planned for

Port Albert a township with a community church, a newspaper and an enlightened and

broad-minded democracy. All that survived was a handful of people obstinate enough

to cling to their land and tough enough to survive, who slowly adapted to the

environment and built a modest country settlement of a type familiar in the North.

The scheme was doomed from the beginning. In the first place, while the great

denominational settlements in the South had the backing and status of national

ventures and of men accustomed to administration, the Albertland scheme was

dreamed up by enthusiasts who quite literally did not know what they were doing.

High-mindedness does not make up for ignorance and inexperience. Secondly, the

Canterbury and Otago settlements attracted numbers of settlers with capital and with

experience on the land, whereas the Albertlanders were largely recruited from the

artisan class. (It is said of Paparoa in the very early days there was not one practical

farmer in the settlement). Finally, the areas selected by their agent contained little

good land suitable for immediate development, and it was difficult of access and too

far from existing markets.

It was during the depressing times that followed the failure of the original scheme that

the Methodists became the most important religious force in Port Albert.


EARLY CHURCH SERVICES

Rev. William Gittos

The first group of settlers to arrive in Port Albert were met by the Rev. William

Gittos, who lived some two miles away on the Waingohe, an arm of the Oruawharo

River. Since 1856 Gittos had been in charge of the Kaipara Circuit of the Wesleyan

Maori Mission, which extended from Kaihu and Tangiteroria in the North to

Helensville, and included all the Albertland territory, serving both Maori and pakeha.

Services on the first Sunday were shared by the Rev. S. Edger and Mr Gittos. Edger

had been chosen as minister of the projected unsectarian church. He was an able man.

He ministered under great difficulties for three years or so, after which he moved to

Auckland. His services were held in a small building erected in the township, and he

visited neighbouring settlements as he was able. True to the unsectarian principle of

the founders, the Anglican liturgy was read on two Sunday mornings of the month.

But within a very short time it was evident that there would be no town at Port Albert.

Some of the original subscribers did not leave Auckland. Others came, and tried, and

retired defeated. Who is to blame them? A few remained, determined to hold and

develop their land. They were the real founders.

During the next twenty years or so, everything was on a very modest scale, including

the efforts of the church to cope with a scattered flock who could do little to help

themselves. The Church of Christ people were early in the field with denominational

effort but soon concentrated on North Albertland and Te Arai. The Wesleyans

survived partly because Mr Gittos was at hand, partly because there was a retired

Wesleyan minister, the Rev. William Worker, at Wellsford, who helped them

considerably, but basically because they had been trained to help themselves. It was

the local preacher's who kept the flag flying. They were not seeking denominational

advantage. One of the original objects of the scheme was to escape sectarian bigotry.

But in a humble way they tried to provide Christian ordinance where otherwise there

would be none. So they met in a cottage for worship and Sunday School. For the most

part they provided the preachers from among themselves, under the guidance and

discipline of the missionary, who might visit them once a quarter.


Those were the days of poverty and sometimes of hunger. There could be a famine if

the supply of flour was held up, as sometimes happened. On one occasion a bag of

flour was carried from Mangawhai over the hills on a man's back. There was very

little money. Fortunately the fish were plentiful in the harbour. At times wages could

be earned at public works. Landowners sometimes worked at road building in lieu of

paying rates. Nicholson's timber mill gave employment to a few. Before the days of

lime and fertiliser, and the transport to bring them to the farms, the return to the man

on the land was pitiful, especially on the scrub country. Gradually they made a little

headway.

At the centre of the little Methodist community were John Shepherd and his wife.

Shepherd was a Free Methodist from Lincolnshire, who, with his wife exercised the

kind of lay ministry which led men and women to 'speak about "the Shepherd heart."

(The story is told about Mrs Shepherd that when she was near her end and wandering

in mind, she was heard to say "but give the children something to eat. What are we

giving them today? Have they had the right food to build Christian lives?"

Mr and Mrs John Legge were a similar couple. Robert Nicholson was another

preacher. A little later Alfred Neal, J. M. French and J. Grant were added to the list.

From the cottage they moved their meetings to the hall, the Cyprus Lodge, the school.

Three sections had been allotted to the Methodists in the original survey of the

township, but these were never built on. The first trustees were John Shepherd, Robert

Nicholson, John Legge and William Gittos.

Because William Gittos was in constant touch with the settlement, the little society

was a part of the Connexion from the beginning. He had the assistance of a Maori

colleague, Hoani Waiti, for most of the period under review, and John Smith was

attached to the Circuit in a moment of optimism in 1863, only to be withdrawn a year

later.

In 1877 James Redfern, one of the Paparoa Local Preachers, "a faithful, meek and

loveable man," in Morley's words, was appointed Home Missionary to assist with the

European work. Others similarly employed in the North at this time were J. H. Hudson

in Mahurangi, and T. J. Jagger at Kaukapakapa. These men were not given stipends,

as Home Missionaries were at a later date. They were devoted lay preachers, who

lived off their land or their families, but were given a small retainer mainly to cover

the cost of travelling, and some status as a representative of the Connexion. Redfern

visited Port Albert occasionally, as did T. G. Brooke, who was the first regular Agent

stationed at Paparoa, 1879. He was followed by A. C. Caughey in 1880 and

Christopher Abernethy in 1881.

Among old circuit plans preserved at Trinity College, Auckland, there is a handwritten

one headed

THE WESLEYAN CHURCH, KAIPARA.

Preachers' Plan of Appointments 1879. Quarter ending Dec. 31st.


(Unfortunately the ink is too faded for reproduction).

The preaching places were as follows:

Paparoa, 11 and 6.30 each Sunday;

Matakohe, weekly at 3;

Pahi, fortnightly;

Paparoa East, fortnightly;

Maungaturoto, left blank;

Kaiwaka and Hakaru, monthly;

Wharehine, fortnightly, alternating with W which may stand for Worker who

ministered there from Wellsford for a time.

Port Albert, which had a weekly service at 2.30.

The preachers named were:

1.—Gittos;

2.—Brooke;

3.—H. Waiti;

4.—Redfern;

5.—Shepherd;

6.—Legge;

7— Hames;

8—Oldham;

9.—A. Karaka

10.—

13—Wilson;

14.—Nicholson;

15—Trounson;

16.—Sykes;

17—Hames;

18.—Mawer;

21.—Wilcoxen;

22.—Pheasants.

Gittos is planned once a quarter at Port Albert, Redfern once a month. The names read

like a roll of honour today. Behind them lies a record of heroic sacrificial service,

without which, in those pioneering days nothing could have been done.


OUTPOST OF MAHURANGI CIRCUIT 1885 - 1910

For many years William Gittos superintended a vast Kaipara Circuit, Maori and

pakeha, with the assistance of native agents. In 1882 this mammoth circuit was

divided into separate Maori and European sections, known as the Kaipara (Maori)

Circuit and the Paparoa (European) Circuit. This latter included Port Albert. About the

same time a Home Missionary was appointed to serve the Wade and Kaukapakapa

areas. Then in 1885 Mahurangi, which had been administered as part of the Auckland

Circuit, under the benevolent oversight of J. H. Hudson, was made a separate circuit,

and Port Albert was transferred to the pastoral charge of the minister at Warkworth.

The first minister was the Rev. C. E. Barley. The area from Kaiwaka eastwards to

Mangawhai was still attached to Paparoa.

In the same year 1885 the Port Albert Methodists acquired their first church building.

It had been intended for another body, and was taken over by the Methodists for £100,

uncompleted. It was a bethel, typical of the time and place, the home of a warm-

hearted and devoted people, who made the village chapel the centre of their lives. At a

time when communications were difficult and incomes small, the chapel provided

most of the entertainment as well as the spiritual nourishment of its members. It was

their regular meeting-place and its members were tried and trusty friends. The services

were simple and unsophisticated in form and teaching, but they were very near to the

hearts of the people. The church families intermarried and formed a closely knit clan.

The Mahurangi Circuit of those days covered a wide area from the East coast to the

Kaipara Harbour, and included a dozen preaching places, though there was only one

church building and two preaching places before amalgamation. It was twenty-four

miles from Warkworth to Port Albert. For a generation the Circuit was served by one

minister and a band of half a dozen or so of local preachers. Morley gives statistics for

the year 1900, showing 122 members for the whole circuit, of which the eastern and

western sections were of approximately equal strength. It would perhaps be fair to

describe this as the era of mud. Roads were primitive. The Dome Valley was almost

impassable even on horseback in winter. Once in three weeks or a month the minister

left Warkworth on Friday, spent the weekend in Port Albert, and returned on Monday.

Under these circumstances, of course, very much was left to local lay leadership. The

following reports from the New Zealand Methodist carry us back to another age:

JANUARY 15th 1887. PORT ALBERT.

The anniversary of Port Albert Church was held on January 1 and 2. On the 1st

an excellent tea was given by Mrs Shepherd, Mrs Neal, and the bachelors, the

latter table being provided by Miss Shepherd. Assistance was also given by Mrs

Legge, Mrs Hunter, Miss E. Shepherd, and Mis's Neal. The tables were filled

three times and all seemed satisfied with the ample and various provision made.

The meeting after, presided over by the Rev. C. E. Barley, was an excellent one.

The choir, under the leadership of Mr Armitage (of Wellsford) rendered some

classical music, and several solos were sung. Mr Shepherd read the report, which


showed the income from present tea to be £11. Rev. Mr Jones of Paparoa gave

an address. On Sunday Mr Jones preached to large congregations good and

useful sermons, and conducted a covenant service at the close, which was felt by

those present to be impressive, and which did good. The collection amounted to

£3. For success let God be thanked.

PORT ALBERT:

On Sunday, March 6th a camp-meeting was held in the grounds of Mr Becroft.

The first service commenced at 10.30 a.m. and was conducted by Rev. R. Bavin

of Auckland, who pointed out the importance of those who were themselves

believers in Christ uniting together in prayer for God's blessing upon the day's

services. Mr J. M. French, Rev. C. E. Barley, the Rev. Bain and Messrs Boon

and Shepherd being the speakers. There was a good attendance of about 250

persons. The evening meeting was held in the new Temperance Hall, which was

fairly well filled. Rev. Bavin conducted, and after reading and expounding a

portion of Scripture, called on several of those present to give a statement of

their conversion to God. The meeting proved a most profitable one, and at the

close two came out boldly and decided for Christ. To Him be all the glory. In

connection with this visit of Rev. R. Bavin, we were favoured with a lecture

from him on "Self Culture," which was delivered in the Warkworth Church on

Friday, March 3rd, and at Port Albert on the Saturday following. The attendance

was good on both occasions, and the efforts of the lecturer were thoroughly

appreciated.

4th FEBRUARY 1888. PORT ALBERT.

The anniversary services of this church were preached by Rev. C. E. Barley in

the morning and afternoon, and by the Rev. W. Gittos in the evening, on Sunday,

January 1st. The morning service was devoted to the Sunday School scholars and

was fairly well attended. A large congregation assembled in the afternoon and

evening. After the evening service the Rev. W. Gittos administered the

Sacrament, and the Rev. C. E. Barley followed with the Covenant Service. The

usual soiree was held on Monday, January 2nd. The tables were provided

bountifully by Mesdames Legge, Neal, Shepherd, P. B. Becroft, Mr John

Becroft, the bachelors, and one by subscription. The attendance was very large,

over three hundred people being present. The receipts amounted to £14-14-6

which will leave a net balance of £13-14-6 to be placed to credit of Trust Fund.

The choir, assisted by part of the choir from Dome Valley, rendered the anthems;

and Mrs Walter's, Miss Cray and Mr Whitham rendered the solos. The great

feature of the evening was the singing by some of the Maoris from Hauraki, of

some hymns in the Maori language. Addresses were given by Revs. 'Hauraki

Paul and C. E. Barley, and Messrs Wilson, Hames, Brown, T. Cooper Jnr.,

Whitham and Matikikoha, the latter being translated by the Rev. W. Gittos, who

very ably filled the position of chairman. The usual votes of thanks were moved


by Mr Douse and seconded by Mr Mander. The pronouncing of the benediction

brought to a close one of the most successful of anniversary services.

If the above records indicate an almost incredibly narrow range of interests and

amusements, we must exercise imagination and take into account the state of the roads

and the lack of transport. In the 1880's the economy of Albertland was just emerging

into something like a liveable condition. The people were poor by modern standards,

but no longer in danger of destitution. They had their school and their sports and

regular water transport, with a market in the Wairoa among the timber workers. They

were just beginning to exploit the fruit-growing for which the district was to become

well-known.

Young people will find it difficult to visualise a time before the introduction of

gumboots. There was not much concrete about for yards and paths either. There was

mud everywhere. There is a story about Mr French, one of the valued leaders of that

date, riding to the quarterly meeting at Warkworth. He wrapped his legs about with

newspaper, like puttees, to keep out the mud, but in vain. What the house-proud

women said is not recorded. Most of them lived lonely and laborious lives.

Among the best-remembered settlers of those days within the little congregation were

three Johns. John Shepherd who as a local preacher together with his wife was most

loyal to the church. Mrs Shepherd who was a mother in Israel served as Sunday

School Superintendent for a number of years before their retirement to Auckland

about 1900. Then there was John Legge, another preacher. He is described as one

always with a smile and a hearty handshake. His ejaculations on Jonah and the whale,

and on Zaccheus "a little man, a little bit littler than me." His wife was kindness itself.

John Becroft was a son of original settlers, he went mining in Australia and had both

legs crushed in an accident. He returned to Port Albert and lived mostly in a

wheelchair. In spite of his misfortune he seemed always to be able to smile. He lived

with his sister, Susan. For a number of years he was Sunday School Superintendent,

and whatever the weather, hail, rain or sunshine, he could be counted on to start

morning Sunday School with the hymn, "O Day of Rest and Gladness." Said one

minister who stayed at the house on Saturday night, "If I could not preach after

hearing him pray aloud for me and the service this morning, I shall never be able to

preach."

There were others, of course, whose names should not be forgotten. It is difficult to

know where to stop. There were Mr Grant, Mr Stott and Mr Utting whose descendants

have been active in many fields. Mr and Mrs Alfred Neal have been mentioned. Mr

Neal was Circuit Steward and Local Preacher for 30 years or more. Sometimes cash

was scarce among the farmers, who had not been to the bank or 'store recently. So

following the afternoon service Mr Neal would hand out some silver from the offering

to those who had no collection money for the evening. It was bread cast upon the

waters. It returned with a blessing. Another faithful was Charles Judd, organist and

trustee. He was a bachelor who scarcely ever missed a service. One Monday morning

a neighbour saw him dressed for Church and starting out for worship. He said, "It's


Monday." Charles Judd was very upset because he had worked on his farm all day

Sunday. Later he married, and seldom missed a service again, till he and his wife left

the district.

Mention should be made also of the Day School Teachers, who set high moral

standards for their pupils, only three headmasters serving in a period of over seventy-

five years, Mr B. M. Gubb, Mr G. B. Reid and Mr G. H. Smith. Another leader in the

church was Mr N. A. Worker, son of the Rev. Wm. Worker who came with the first

settlers. He had suffered a breakdown in health in the midst of a successful career in

England, and had come to this country to recuperate. He recovered sufficiently to

resume circuit work in New Zealand for a time. His son settled in Wellsford,

becoming a local preacher, and he was circuit steward for a number of years. He

donated the section where the Wellsford Church stands, and helped with its erection.

Another who must be mentioned is Mrs Bennett, daughter of John Shepherd, whose

husband George Bennett helped in the Sunday School and occasionally took a service.

He was drowned while still a comparatively young man. Mrs Bennett was an ardent

supporter of Home and Foreign Missions, and she left her mark on the church in a

number of ways. She was very generous. It was Mrs Bennett who had the present Port

Albert parsonage built, and presented it to the circuit, taking the old property in

exchange in 1927. The Sunday School hall was also a gift from Mrs Bennett during

Rev. Strand's ministry, 1911 to 1914.

As conditions improved, and the country was opened up further, it was decided to

employ another agent in the circuit, to reside at Port Albert. A condition of the

additional appointment was that Mahurangi circuit should assume responsibility for

the area from Kaiwaka to the East Coast, hitherto part of the Paparoa Circuit.

Accordingly, in 1904, Mr A. V. Wilkinson became the first resident pastor in Port

Albert, followed by Mr V. Bacon in 1905, and then Mr R. E. Evans. These men were

all Home Missionaries. In 1908 C. C. Bottomley took over, and in his time some real

advance was made. For instance, il was then that the Wellsford church was built.


Port Albert Church taken about 1905


A SEPARATE STATION 1911

The Conference of 1911 decided that Port Albert should be constituted a separate

circuit, and a Probationer appointed. It was a sensible decision, having regard to the

distance from Warkworth and the difficult travelling conditions. But there proved to

be no Probationer available, so Mr Charles Strand was sent as Home Missionary to the

new circuit. The following year a residence was provided him by the purchase and

adaptation of a building formerly used as a hall in the settlement. Mr Strand was a

steady and reliable man, an ornament to the service. There were many advantages in

the ministry of a married Home Missionary over that of a single Probationer, so in

1916 the status of the circuit was lowered to that of a Home Mission Station, and this

was retained till the Conference of 1929. During these years the station was served by

men of the calibre of W. A. Porter, J. H. Edmondson, H. C. Orchard, C. Aker and

Harry Kings, among others. Of course the men varied in ability as preachers and

administrators, but all made some contribution. Above all, there was a consistent

level-headed enthusiasm among the people which kept the church on the right lines.

Few churches have been better served by their laymen and women. Moreover, the

steady missionary enthusiasm of the congregation saved it from any tendency to

stagnation.

Inevitably there were changes. The original trustees were gone, by the end of the

century. Mark Stott, Alfred Neal and J. M. French were put on the Trust in 1891, F. C.

Utting, W. D. Shepherd, N. A. Worker and John Becroft were added in 1899. H.

Legge, C. Judd and Vesey Grant were added in 1909, and Herbert Neal and Len

Bennett in 1910. Alfred Neal died in 1919. In the same year the names of W. W.

Payne, W. Payne, C. I. Curel and Mrs M. Bennett were added to the Trust. As the

church lost a number of its oldest and best supporters by death or removal, others

came in to fill their places. There were other tragic losses of a different kind because

of the first World War. Quite a number of the church lads among those of the district

never returned. "One half of the boys of my school class lost their lives in the war,"

says a contemporary.

During the early years of its independence, before modern communications made it

possible to concentrate effort in a few centres, the circuit covered a lot of ground. It

maintained services at Port Albert, Wellsford, Wharehine (where a new church was

built at the end of the war), Wayby, Tauhoa, Mangawhai, Kaiwaka and Hakaru. Many

of these of course were only monthly services; but they helped to keep people in

touch, and to maintain something essential. In each place there were families that

appreciated the effort and responded.

Perhaps we may see the first World War as marking the end of the essentially

pioneering period. It brought a new and more sophisticated outlook. The old

evangelical simplicities no longer satisfied, in their traditional form at least. The world

was opening up, even in Northland. The roads were improving, though they were still

bad enough. The coming of the telephone and the motor car meant the end of

isolation, the loneliness which has been against country life. Soon the radio would be


heard in every home. The church could no longer count on the support of the majority

of citizens. It was compelled to concentrate more upon its own children, and to rethink

many of its positions. During these years the Bible Class Movement helped the sons

and daughters of old families to find their way amidst unfamiliar territory, and to

satisfy a loyalty to Christ no less real than that of their fathers, but expressed in very

different ways.

Wharehine Church and Trustees


THE PORT ALBERT CIRCUIT 1929

It is a tribute to the steady work and the loyalty of church officials and home

missionaries that in 1929 the Home Mission Station was upgraded again to

independent circuit status, which it has retained ever since, though it has not always

enjoyed the services of an ordained minister. W. J. Enticott was appointed in 1929, but

left for Dargaville the following year. Then for two years the church had a Home

Mission Supply. These were difficult depression years, and no doubt financial

considerations entered in. In 1942 the Rev. Ivo M. Rayner began a four year ministry,

the first resident regular ordained ministry the church had enjoyed after two

generations of vigorous life. The Revs. Herbert Ford and W. C. Jenkin followed.

During the second World War, owing to the shortage of ministers, the circuit was

supplied by the Rev. L. R. G. Sharp and later by the Rev. J. R. Metcalf, who was

detained in New Zealand pending the reopening of the Solomon Islands Mission.

In 1944 there was a readjustment of the boundary between Mahurangi and Port Albert

Circuits. Here were two neighbouring circuits, both covering too much ground for one

man to handle easily, yet unable to support an additional agent. It seemed sensible to

make one circuit smaller, and the other larger. Accordingly it was agreed to add

Tomarata, Pakiri and Whangaripo, a big slice of country, to the Port Albert Circuit,

with the promise of a second agent and a suitable grant. The transfer was made; but

neither the agents nor the grant have come to Port Albert, which has remained the

head of a large and unwieldy circuit ever since. In the event the change of boundaries

proved of great benefit to Warkworth, but seriously hindered Port Albert in its

response to the need which now showed itself for the circuit to concentrate on

Wellsford. Had a second agent been available, the situation would have been very

different.

However, with the development of better roads and modern motor transport, the recent

tendency had been to concentrate on fewer preaching place's. For many years services

had been conducted at Wayby, where the Grant family gave consistent support. In

1948 a small church was erected there, which served a purpose; but it was the last of

the outstations to have a building of its own. There is still room for the local Sunday

School in many places; but both adults and teenagers are better served under modern

conditions by gathering at the larger centres.

The growth of Wellsford as an important shopping centre and stopping place between

Auckland and Whangarei has also inevitably changed the pattern of work. Port Albert

is still the centre of the strength of Methodism in the district. Many of the loyal church

families, with their traditional attachment to Methodism, have their homes in the

settlement. But none the less the main impact of the church and its ministry must be

made at Wellsford, where the people are. For this reason a large youth centre was built

there in 1957. A little later another section of land was purchased, and in 1964 the

circuit erected a new parsonage building, so that the minister might live nearer to the

geographical centre of the parish. Congregations these days, and especially the young


people in them, demand more than their fathers expected; and it is certain that strong

centres may flourish where small units are unable to attract. While it is unwise to

neglect the more distant places, there can be little doubt of the wisdom of

concentrating on the nearer centres in order to provide the facilities which people

expect in modern times.

Port Albert Parsonage

THE CIRCUIT

Although Port Albert gave its name to the Circuit, the latter covered a wide area, as

explained above. It was responsible for all Methodist effort from coast to coast, from

Tauhoa to Mangawhai. In many small places it provided the only public worship.

There were no settlements where the Methodist agent did not penetrate. In several

places besides Port Albert small buildings were erected.

WELLSFORD

Though Methodist services were held at an early date in the school, it was not till 1910

that the church acquired a building of its own. At this date the settlement was boosted

by the arrival of the long awaited railway, the hope of the North. The little Methodist

cause had several strong supporters, "a stationmaster, a local preacher, a storekeeper

and a farmer." N. A. Worker, son of the Rev. W. Worker, gave the section.

Small country congregations are very vulnerable. If two or three leaders are lost by

death or removal, a cause may collapse. Something like this happened to Wellsford till


by about 1930 there was not very much left. Somebody enquiring about Wellsford

churches at this period was told: "There are two, Mr Worker's and Mr Vickery's

(Church of Christ)". After Worker's death in 1934 it was necessary to nominate new

trustees from outside, Mr W. Grant being the only survivor of the original group.

However the township has grown rapidly since then, with the development of motor

transport. Wellsford is an important place today. The church has shared in this growth.

It now has a modern parsonage for the resident minister, and a large Youth Hall. It

still worships in the pioneer church building, which now has been largely renovated

and improved.

Wellsford Church 1967

WHAREHINE

Services were held in the local hall till 1910, when it was destroyed by fire. For eight

yea's the congregation were glad to worship in the little Minniesdale chapel. Then in

1918 the Wharehine church (the Gittos Memorial Church) was erected by local labour,

largely by Mr W. Witheford and his sons. Other helpers were E. Marcroft, T. Inger, H.

Stables, F. Marcroft, A. Brookes and H. Marsh. None of the original trustees are left

but a number of their descendants and other settlers maintain the cause today. The

little church has recently been renovated in anticipation of the 50th anniversary, which

comes in May 1968. The congregation sent Sister Violet Kruse (Mrs A. O. Jones) into

Deaconess service, and George Rotherham into Home Mission work.


TOMARATA

This little building has a longer history than either Wellsford or Wharehine churches.

It was built in Kaihu in the timber days, largely under the patronage of the Trounson

family. This was in 1899. It stood on a railway lease, since a piece of Maori land

promised was not immediately available. As time went by the character of the district

changed so much that the building was no longer required and it was sold for removal

to Tomarata in 1944, at a price of £150 Placed on an elevated site given by Mr Rice it

was formally opened on November 4th. Just two weeks later it was torn from its

foundations in a furious gale, and thrown down in ruins. Not to be dismayed the

Trustees decided to re-erect the building on stronger foundations and with a lower

roof. This was done, and the little sanctuary still stand's four square.

In association with this venture we should mention particularly the Rhodes family, and

Messrs Clarry Blackburn, Reg. Biddle, Merv. Grant, George Reid, Lloyd Gravatt and

Rod Shepherd.

WAYBY

Services were held at Wayby within the Mahurangi Circuit, and were continued when

the district was transferred to the pastoral care of the Methodist agent at Port Albert.

The public school was used until this closed. Then the people met in Mr W. R. Grant's

house.

In 1950 the present building was erected on a half acre site presented by Mr Grant.

The cost of the building in cash was £775, but a great deal of voluntary labour went

into the project. More recently regular services have been discontinued since the

residents find it more profitable to travel to Wellsford; but the building still stands, but

may be sold.

OTHER DISTRICTS VISITED

When Port Albert became a separate Home Mission Station it was expected to carry

seven other places on the Preachers' Plan; namely Wellsford, Wharehine, Wayby,

Tauhoa, Mangawhai, Kaiwaka and Hakaru. Later Tomarata, Pakiri and Whangaripo

were added. Of course in most cases they were visited only fortnightly or monthly. It

was a very severe strain on the preaching staff keeping these places open. The small

band of Local Preachers did a valiant job. The circuit also made good use of

theological students from Trinity College, Auckland, in vacation time. It was good

experience for the students who made friends among a truly kind and hospitable

people.

Nowadays with cars everywhere and better roads it is more practical to join some of

these places with central congregations. Hence at date Wayby, Tauhoa, Hakaru and


Kaiwaka are not regularly served. In the other centres traditionally served by our

church regular visits are made to conduct public worship.

Port Albert Sunday School Choir

THE MISSIONARY SPIRIT

For a comparatively small number of people the Port Albert Methodists have always

taken a generous and enlightened interest in the missionary outreach of the Christian

Church, both within the denominational field and in wider ways. A people conscious

of grace, they are ready to give in return.

For a number of years, the people made substantial contributions to Home and Foreign

Missions by collecting and marketing early spring flowers, especially narcissi.

But the circuit made its greatest gift in the workers it has sent into a variety of fields. It

has always responded to a strong missionary impulse. In the nature of things some of

its sons and daughters have moved away into other communities; but a surprising

number of these have given distinguished service in their new homes. They are too

numerous to mention by name. Several descendants of pioneer stock have entered the

Christian Ministry: e.g. the late Harry Utting, Trevor Shepherd, Trevor and George

Bennett and Barry Neal. The Rev. lan McKenzie, chaplain at Wesley College, Paerata,

was raised in the circuit. His brother Douglas has been accepted for Missionary

Service. Others like George, Rotherham, H. W. Payne and Selwin Neal have given a

useful term of Home Mission service. Danny Harris went to college from Pakiri, to

serve among the Maori people in the tradition of his grandfather. Joy Thompson gave


distinguished nursing service among lepers in the Solomons. Winnie Bennett (Mrs

Wood) and Violet Kruse (now wife of Rev. Jones) served as Deaconess in Maori work

and Ruth Bennett in Central Mission.

Others again gave themselves to missionary service outside the Methodist Church.

Quite a number worked in the Salvation Army and elsewhere. It was from a

Whangaripo family that a minister, Rev. B. K. Rowe found a wife.

Port Albert after all is only a little place. There is a wharf, and a store, and a hall, and

a Methodist Church. There used to be a school. But these are scattered. One might

easily drive through the place and not recognise that it existed at all. Indeed the day

may come when as a township it is only a memory, but it is known as a seaside resort

with a wharf for pleasure craft. It could be so. The decline in water transport and the

concentration of business on the main road are economic and social facts that cannot

be denied. But it would be a pity to forget the men and women who laid the

foundations of the century past. They made the best of a very bad job. They won

victory out of calamity. They fought the fight, they finished the course, they kept the

faith. If we have a drop of pioneer blood in us, we should cherish it. If our fathers

worshipped in the little church, we should thank God who opened to them and to us

the way of life.

Photo of Church, 1967, Sunday School Anniversary


Interior Wellsford Church, 1967

THE LIST OF MINISTERS STATIONED AT

WARKWORTH

(Headquarters of Mahurangi Circuit)

Revs. G. Stephenson, C. E. Barley, J. J. Maher, S. Griffith, J. Law, J. W. Worboys, G.

Frost, G. T. Marshall, C. Griffin, J. D. Jory.

LIST OF HOME MISSIONARIES

appointed to Port Albert prior to its becoming a Home Mission Station. 1904-1909.

A. V. Wilkinson, V. Bacon, R. E. Evans, C. C. Bottomley.

MINISTERS OF THE PORT ALBERT CIRCUIT

Revs

1907-11:C. C. Bottomley

1911-14:C. Strand

1914-16:A. H. Couch

1916-18:W. Porter

1918-19:W. B. Gumming

1919-20:J. H. Edmondson

1920-22:H. C. Orchard

1922-24:H. S. Kings


1924-26:C. Aker

1926-29:J. D. Grindlay

1929-30:W. J. Enticott

1930-32:W. Trafford

1932-36:I. M. Raynor

1936-38:H. Ford

1938-41:W. C. Jenkin

1941-44:L. E. G. Sharp

1944-45:J. R. Metcalf

1945-48:G. R. Thompson

1948-51:R. E. Fordyce

1951-56:J. S. Olds

1956-60:D. G. Stubbs

1960-65:F. D. Peterson

1966-67:A. D. Pain

LAY PREACHERS WHO SERVED THE CHURCH

J. Shepherd, J. S. Mawer, R. Nicholson, J. Legge, J. Becroft, A. Neal, T. H.

Hartnell, L. Shepherd, H. Neal, H. W. Payne, G. D. Phillips, L. W. Bennett, S. A.

Neal.

There could be added to this list many names of people whose services for shorter

periods were very acceptable.

Our thanks to all.

ORGANISTS

Organists who could be mentioned for long service are Mr Judd, Mrs Busbridge and

Mrs L. Bennett.

Many others gave fine service including Ministers' wives.

Present organists at Port Albert are Graeme Phillips and his wife Ann.

To all the Church is grateful for their devoted services.

TRUSTEES — PAST

Rev. W. Gittos, J. Shepherd, J. M. French, R. Nicholson, M. Stott, J. Becroft,

N. A. Worker, V. Grant, W. D. Shepherd, H. Legge, Mrs M. Bennett, C. Judd,

W. Payne, L. Bennett, F. J. Payne, E. M. Gubb, J. E. Thompson, C. I. Curel,

Mrs A. Gubb, Mrs W. Cullen, J. W. Johnson, E. G. Inger, B. W. Neal

AND PRESENT

H. Neal, F. Reid, L. M. Curel, Mrs V. Busbridge, C. W. Phillips, A. G. Bennett

H. O. Bennett, L. W. Bennett, M. L. Bennett, G. D. Phillips, S. A. Neal


CIRCUIT STEWARDS

1900-1917: Alfred Neal

1909-1933: N. A. Worker

1918-1957: H. Neal

1933-1941: W. Trafford

1942-1948: F. Reid

1948-1965: C. I. Curel

1958- L. W. Bennett

1966- G. D. Phillips

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