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Brookside Methodist Church
Description
NameBrookside Methodist Church
DescriptionMeetings of Methodists were first held in the schoolhouse in 1869, with the schoolmaster, J. B. Ellman, as the leader.
That same year Thomas Brooks gave a section of land for the building of a church, which was planned to seat 120, at a cost of £200.
The opening service was led by the Rev. T Buddle on the 20 February, 1870. Early church members were Messrs. Charles and Reuben Withell, R Moor, William Watson, Thomas Brooks, and R W Stewart.
A Sunday School was started on October 30 1876, with Charles Taylor as the superintendent. Mrs Brooks taught Sunday School for 37 years. Five of William Watson’s sons were local preachers.
In 1880 the church was enlarged to hold 50 more people.
Special 50th Jubilee services were held in 1920 and there was a Grand Jubilee Concert in the Brookside Public School on Tues May 4th.
The Diamond Jubilee was held in 1930 and the Centenary celebrated on 22 February, 1970.
In 1972 the congregation decided to close the church and join the Anglicans and Presbyterians in using the Anglican Church, thus establishing a combined congregation of people worshipping together, each of the ministers taking one service a month.
In 1973 the church was sold and turned into a residence.
References: H Gerritsen - A Brief History of the Leeston Methodist Circuit 1875 – 1975
The Star newspaper January, 1873
Ellesmere Guardian 1920, 1930 and February 1970
DescriptionMeetings of Methodists were first held in the schoolhouse in 1869, with the schoolmaster, J. B. Ellman, as the leader. That same year Thomas Brooks gave a section of land for the building of a church, which was planned to seat 120, at a cost of £200.
The opening service was led by the Rev. T Buddle on the 20 February, 1870. Early church members were Messrs. Charles and Reuben Withell, R Moor, William Watson, Thomas Brooks, and R W Stewart.
A Sunday School was started on October 30 1876, with Charles Taylor as the superintendent. Mrs Brooks taught Sunday School for 37 years. Five of William Watson’s sons were local preachers.
In 1880 the church was enlarged to hold 50 more people.
Special 50th Jubilee services were held in 1920 and there was a Grand Jubilee Concert in the Brookside Public School on Tues May 4th.
The Diamond Jubilee was held in 1930 and the Centenary celebrated on 22 February, 1970.
In 1972 the congregation decided to close the church and join the Anglicans and Presbyterians in using the Anglican Church, thus establishing a combined congregation of people worshipping together, each of the ministers taking one service a month.
In 1973 the church was sold and turned into a residence.
References: H Gerritsen - A Brief History of the Leeston Methodist Circuit 1875 – 1975
The Star newspaper January, 1873
Ellesmere Guardian 1920, 1930 and February 1970
Courtesy Ellesmere Camera Club. Ellesmere Historical Society. Cameraclub-006
Connections
CollectionMethodistOrganisationEllesmere Historical Society
OrganisationEllesmere Historical SocietyBrookside Methodist Church. Selwyn Stories, accessed 25/05/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/6302