One of the connectional features of Methodism in the first half of the 19th century which gave this church such an infulence was its system of local preachers who visited the district for nearly twenty miles around Guelph.

It was not until 1851 that Elora, Fergus and Elmira were set off from the Guelph circuit; in 1858 Rockwood was set off. Down as far as 1880, at least, Scotch Block (below Acton) and Marden were visited by local preachers from Norfolk Street

The class leaders were also a most important factor in the Church government. Besides the care of the spiritual life of the members, on them fell the collection of contributions for church expenses from the members of their classes.

Even with the establishment of churches, the circuit rider continued to be an important person. He covered a wide territory on horseback and made many pastoral visits. Methodist circuit riders met with people on the edge of a forest, in a shanty or in a local home.

The early missionaries, or circuit riders, were heros. Carrying their few possessions in their saddlebags, they rode hundreds of miles, braved extreme hardships, even risked their lives, to reach the Indians and those settlers from Europe and the British Isles who had made their homes in tiny, isolated communities in the wilderness. These saddlebag preachers had no fixed homes, were dependant on their co-religionists for food and shelter, and received a salary of $100 to $200 a year.

In 1855-1856, when the new Norfolk Street church was dedicated, the Guelph district comprised the following circuits and missions - Guelph, Elora, Berlin, Blenheim, Peel, Stratford, Clinton, Goderich, Mitchell, Kincardine, Arthur, Mono, Erin, Wellesley, Gray, St. Mary's, Bayfield, Morris, Wallace, Howick, Wawanosh, and Mount Forest.

The Superintendent of the Guelph Church that year received 190 pounds as follows: Salary 60 pounds; child allowance 15 pounds; table expenses 75 pounds; fuel 10 pounds; house rent 30 pounds; moving expenses 1 pound

Among the points covered by the Guelph local preachers were Mossboro'; McCrae's school house, out the West End way; Bethany; Rockwood; Dulmage's, beyond Rockwood; Eden Mills; Everton; Eramosa; Arkell; Winterbourne; Elmira; Elora; Fergus; Kirkland's, etc.

Among these preachers who left their names impressed upon these districts, were Samuel Fear, Wm Stevenson, James Hough, Wm. Crowe, Anthony Stevens, Ed Sallows, John Kirkland, Wm. Heather, John Hutton, Dr. Eby, A.M. Lafferty, M.A., Thomas Cosford and Alex. Sutherland, afterwards General Secretary of Missions, some of whom later became ordained ministers. The late Rev. Dr. Torrance, Presbyterian Minister, very kindly filled the local pulpit on occasions.