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Religion in early Doyleston
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TitleReligion in early Doyleston
DescriptionDoyleston is close to Leeston and a Catholic Church was opened in Leeston in 1869, a Presbyterian one in 1870, an Anglican Church in 1872 and finally a Methodist Church in 1875 although some people had been holding services in other buildings even earlier.
This may have been the reason that there were no churches built in Doyleston.
Sunday Schools were however a feature of Doyleston.
For a number of years Anglicans held Sunday School in the second town hall.
The Wesleyan (Methodist) Sunday school was started by Rev C. H. Standage in the first hall in 1886.
By 1888 the school had over sixty scholars and they were celebrating their anniversary with a tea meeting and a service of song in a tastefully decorated hall every year. Prizes were also being given to the scholars.
By December 1890 (and maybe earlier) they had combined with the Leeston group and held a picnic at which the Leeston Brass Band played.
It was announced at the 1891 anniversary celebration that a harmonium (organ) had been purchased and paid for.
The fifth Sunday School anniversary was celebrated as in previous years but it was also reported that an anniversary service was “held at the Hall on Sunday last… with the Rev J. G. Chapman preaching at both morning and evening services.” Thus maybe the Wesleyans had adult services at least on special occasions in Doyleston.
Disaster struck in April 1894 when the first hall burnt down “and an organ belonging to the Wesleyan Sunday School, together with the collection boxes, were speedily reduced to ashes”.
By August 1894 a meeting of seven Trustees of the newly formed Doyleston Wesleyan Sunday School was held at Leeston and it was announced that a friend (Mr Collet) had donated about a quarter of an acre on the drain road.
The new schoolroom was opened in November 1894 and cost about £150. The building was described as roomy and convenient and, though specially built for the Wesleyan Sunday school, would be available as a hall for meetings, amusements, etc and “to a certain extent it replaces the old Town Hall”
Through the late 1890s and early 1900s evening concerts and coffee suppers were held as an occasion to present prizes and to raise money for the hall.
In the early 1920s there was an afternoon event and an evening concert.
By 1930 the building was in need of repairs and painting and a concert was planned for August.
Unfortunately, there was only moderate attendance when a party from Southbridge gave an enjoyable concert.
However, Doyleston building contractor, D. Brizzle, started repairs and tenders were called for painting. Further fundraising was held through the 1930s including a most successful fair held in the Doyleston Hall in 1936.
Others were also using the schoolroom, as during 1932, the Ellesmere Guardian reported that the Anglicans held a service and there was a memorial service for the late Mr G. W. Cooke.
Prior to 1943 there was no mention of the Salvation Army using the schoolroom in their newspaper advertisements of services but in January 1943 there was a children’s service advertised for 10 am at Doyleston.
These advertisements continued through to December 1945 even after the Methodists had requested tenders for the purchase of the building and section in March 1945.
After work was done to convert the building into a dwelling, it became Merle and Ross Bray’s home after they were married in 1947.
Information from Papers Past and Singleton (2007)
Mike Noonan
Ellesmere Historical Society
DateBetween 1st January 2020 and 31st December 2020SourceThe Ellesmere EchoLocationDoyleston
DescriptionDoyleston is close to Leeston and a Catholic Church was opened in Leeston in 1869, a Presbyterian one in 1870, an Anglican Church in 1872 and finally a Methodist Church in 1875 although some people had been holding services in other buildings even earlier. This may have been the reason that there were no churches built in Doyleston.
Sunday Schools were however a feature of Doyleston.
For a number of years Anglicans held Sunday School in the second town hall.
The Wesleyan (Methodist) Sunday school was started by Rev C. H. Standage in the first hall in 1886.
By 1888 the school had over sixty scholars and they were celebrating their anniversary with a tea meeting and a service of song in a tastefully decorated hall every year. Prizes were also being given to the scholars.
By December 1890 (and maybe earlier) they had combined with the Leeston group and held a picnic at which the Leeston Brass Band played.
It was announced at the 1891 anniversary celebration that a harmonium (organ) had been purchased and paid for.
The fifth Sunday School anniversary was celebrated as in previous years but it was also reported that an anniversary service was “held at the Hall on Sunday last… with the Rev J. G. Chapman preaching at both morning and evening services.” Thus maybe the Wesleyans had adult services at least on special occasions in Doyleston.
Disaster struck in April 1894 when the first hall burnt down “and an organ belonging to the Wesleyan Sunday School, together with the collection boxes, were speedily reduced to ashes”.
By August 1894 a meeting of seven Trustees of the newly formed Doyleston Wesleyan Sunday School was held at Leeston and it was announced that a friend (Mr Collet) had donated about a quarter of an acre on the drain road.
The new schoolroom was opened in November 1894 and cost about £150. The building was described as roomy and convenient and, though specially built for the Wesleyan Sunday school, would be available as a hall for meetings, amusements, etc and “to a certain extent it replaces the old Town Hall”
Through the late 1890s and early 1900s evening concerts and coffee suppers were held as an occasion to present prizes and to raise money for the hall.
In the early 1920s there was an afternoon event and an evening concert.
By 1930 the building was in need of repairs and painting and a concert was planned for August.
Unfortunately, there was only moderate attendance when a party from Southbridge gave an enjoyable concert.
However, Doyleston building contractor, D. Brizzle, started repairs and tenders were called for painting. Further fundraising was held through the 1930s including a most successful fair held in the Doyleston Hall in 1936.
Others were also using the schoolroom, as during 1932, the Ellesmere Guardian reported that the Anglicans held a service and there was a memorial service for the late Mr G. W. Cooke.
Prior to 1943 there was no mention of the Salvation Army using the schoolroom in their newspaper advertisements of services but in January 1943 there was a children’s service advertised for 10 am at Doyleston.
These advertisements continued through to December 1945 even after the Methodists had requested tenders for the purchase of the building and section in March 1945.
After work was done to convert the building into a dwelling, it became Merle and Ross Bray’s home after they were married in 1947.
Information from Papers Past and Singleton (2007)
Mike Noonan
Ellesmere Historical Society
DateBetween 1st January 2020 and 31st December 2020SourceThe Ellesmere EchoLocationDoylestonClick on the image to add
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Religion in early Doyleston (Between 1st January 2020 and 31st December 2020). Selwyn Stories, accessed 15/06/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5297