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Use of the First Dunsandel Hall/Library by the Methodists (Wesleyans)
Description
TitleUse of the First Dunsandel Hall/Library by the Methodists (Wesleyans)
DescriptionAccording to Mackie (1979) [1], the first Methodist service in Dunsandel is said to have been arranged by George Lill in 1877, possibly in a private home.
Later services were held in the hall, apparently alternating with Presbyterians. The Methodist Church was officially opened in April 1912.
There are more newspaper records of the Methodists using the hall than for the other two churches.
During the late 1800s the format of functions in the hall by the Methodists appeared to be lecture by a minister on a secular topic followed by music.
A moderate audience assembled [2] in the hall in early September 1888 for the Wesleyan Church concert and lecture. The Rev Mr Luxford lectured on Chinese history, government and customs. The Lyttelton Times reported details of the concert.
In late November 1890, the Rev J. J. Lewis, President of the Wesleyan Conference, gave a most interesting lecture in the hall entitled “My Rambles through Europe with a Knapsack”.
Also the Wesleyan choir sang some anthems very nicely.
At the end of June 1891, the Rev W. G. Parsonson gave a lecture [3] in the hall on H. M Stanley. There was a fair attendance.
During the evening, songs were sung by Miss Irvine, Mr F. Lill and the Rev J. G. Chapman.
At the start of January 1892, it was advertised that special services [4] would be held by the Revs C. Murray and W. Grant in the hall for four nights beginning on January 4th but information on the success of the venture does not appear to have been reported.
The Rev L M Isitt spoke about licensing elections in the townships of Ellesmere, including Dunsandel, in February 1894 [5].
He also gave a popular lecture on “William Lloyd Garrison, Slave Liberator” at Brookside.
A tea meeting and entertainment [6], in aid of the Methodist Church and Union Sunday school, was held in the hall on May 21, 1908.
A musical programme was contributed by Misses Lill, Chamberlain and Peryman and Messrs Rowe, Belgrave and Armstrong, and speeches were delivered by the Rev P. C. Durward and Mr Rowe.
Two years later, a further tea meeting and concert [7] was held at the end of May 1910 in the hall by the Methodist Church.
The weather being fine, there was a very large gathering.
After the tea, a successful concert was held featuring Mrs F.Barnett, Misses Joughin, Lill, Smith and Johnston, Messrs B. Johnston, Smith, F. Barnett and Rev. A. McBean.
The hall was used for a sale of work and produce by the Methodist Church to extinguish their debts [8] in April 1914.
There were many stalls selling fancy work, plain sewing, pot plants etc and a number of competitions such as weight guessing.
The December 1920 anniversary tea and concert was reported as being quite successful in every way [9].
There was a large attendance at the excellent concert given by a group from Christchurch.
In August 1890, a sacred cantata entitled "The Christian Pilgrim" was performed [10] in the hall to a very fair audience, specifically in aid of the Wesleyan choir fund.
Details of the soloists and instrumentalists were given in the newspaper account.
Date1874-1920SourcePapers PastLocationDunsandel
DescriptionAccording to Mackie (1979) [1], the first Methodist service in Dunsandel is said to have been arranged by George Lill in 1877, possibly in a private home. Later services were held in the hall, apparently alternating with Presbyterians. The Methodist Church was officially opened in April 1912.
There are more newspaper records of the Methodists using the hall than for the other two churches.
During the late 1800s the format of functions in the hall by the Methodists appeared to be lecture by a minister on a secular topic followed by music.
A moderate audience assembled [2] in the hall in early September 1888 for the Wesleyan Church concert and lecture. The Rev Mr Luxford lectured on Chinese history, government and customs. The Lyttelton Times reported details of the concert.
In late November 1890, the Rev J. J. Lewis, President of the Wesleyan Conference, gave a most interesting lecture in the hall entitled “My Rambles through Europe with a Knapsack”.
Also the Wesleyan choir sang some anthems very nicely.
At the end of June 1891, the Rev W. G. Parsonson gave a lecture [3] in the hall on H. M Stanley. There was a fair attendance.
During the evening, songs were sung by Miss Irvine, Mr F. Lill and the Rev J. G. Chapman.
At the start of January 1892, it was advertised that special services [4] would be held by the Revs C. Murray and W. Grant in the hall for four nights beginning on January 4th but information on the success of the venture does not appear to have been reported.
The Rev L M Isitt spoke about licensing elections in the townships of Ellesmere, including Dunsandel, in February 1894 [5].
He also gave a popular lecture on “William Lloyd Garrison, Slave Liberator” at Brookside.
A tea meeting and entertainment [6], in aid of the Methodist Church and Union Sunday school, was held in the hall on May 21, 1908.
A musical programme was contributed by Misses Lill, Chamberlain and Peryman and Messrs Rowe, Belgrave and Armstrong, and speeches were delivered by the Rev P. C. Durward and Mr Rowe.
Two years later, a further tea meeting and concert [7] was held at the end of May 1910 in the hall by the Methodist Church.
The weather being fine, there was a very large gathering.
After the tea, a successful concert was held featuring Mrs F.Barnett, Misses Joughin, Lill, Smith and Johnston, Messrs B. Johnston, Smith, F. Barnett and Rev. A. McBean.
The hall was used for a sale of work and produce by the Methodist Church to extinguish their debts [8] in April 1914.
There were many stalls selling fancy work, plain sewing, pot plants etc and a number of competitions such as weight guessing.
The December 1920 anniversary tea and concert was reported as being quite successful in every way [9].
There was a large attendance at the excellent concert given by a group from Christchurch.
In August 1890, a sacred cantata entitled "The Christian Pilgrim" was performed [10] in the hall to a very fair audience, specifically in aid of the Wesleyan choir fund.
Details of the soloists and instrumentalists were given in the newspaper account.
Date1874-1920SourcePapers PastLocationDunsandelConnections
CollectionThe Patrons of the First Dunsandel Hall/LibraryPlaceTe Atatiki a Te Wakaaro DunsandelOrganisationDunsandel Historic SocietyMore Information[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
PlaceTe Atatiki a Te Wakaaro DunsandelOrganisationDunsandel Historic SocietyMore Information[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]Attribution
Researched ByMike NoonanWritten ByMike Noonan
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Use of the First Dunsandel Hall/Library by the Methodists (Wesleyans) (1874-1920). Selwyn Stories, accessed 16/09/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5599