Reference “The CYCLOPEDIA OF NEW ZEALAND” 1902

 

WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH

• 1868 Willoughby Street, Shortland – first Wesleyan Church, opened by Rev G S HARPER
• 1869 Rev James BULLER Minister, same year  another building built at Grahamstown
• 1885 the two churches amalgamated to Corner Mary & Pollen Street
• Early Ministers: Rev E BEST, Rev D J MURRAY
• Regular congregations of 400, average Sunday School attendance of 300
• Other services held at Omahu, Puriri, Kopu and Waiomo

 

PRIMITIVE  METHODIST CHURCH

• Situated at Mackay Street
• Seated 280 people, 200 children on Sunday School roll
• Rev Edward DRAKE in charge

 

THAMES BAPTIST CHURCH

• Church meetings first held late 1867 after goldfields opened
• 9^th May 1869 new church corner Willoughby and Baillie Streets opened
•  for worship – seated 200 people
• Rev S WILSON first Minister of the church
• 1889 the Baptist and Congregational churches united, ministered by Rev W R WOOLEY
• 1899 Minister in charge was Rev Arthur DEWDNEY

 

 

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

• Oct 1871 first service held in a schoolroom, first pastor was Rev B C BUTLAND
• Church built with seating for 300, which was destroyed in a large fire 1876. Other denominations made donations to have church rebuilt at Mary Street
• Early Ministers: Rev R LAISHLEY, Rev T ADAMS, Rev B L LOMAS, Rev E HAMDEN-COOK, Rev W R WOOLLEY

 

SALVATION ARMY BARRACKS

 

• Founded in 1884, in Pollen Street. Building could seat 500 plus  a junior soldiers area that seated 150
• Congregation about 90 in 1900.