FORWARD
I write with a deep sense of gratitude and humility for the past, on this the 125th Anniversary of Methodism in Drysdale.
We remember with thanksgiving the host of ministers, local lay preachers, officers, leaders and teachers, members and adherents, who in such various ways have offered their gifts to life and work in service to God.
This long period of faithful service brings us a feeling of humility, but we are proud to be chosen to share in the continuing work of the Church, following in their steps.
The pioneers have left a splendid heritage to inspire our loyalty and to challenge our faith and courage to be as spiritually enterprising and generous in sharing the blessings of Christian Fellowship.
While the problems of the 1850/60’s differed from those of our modern times, the need for spiritual understanding and strength is even more pressing.
May we wait upon God in prayer for the gift of God’s Holy Spirit to lead us into a new era of blessing in His name.
Rev. Ray Starling
WHENCE OUR DRYSDALE METHODIST CHURCH?
May 1849 First known service for Wesleyan Methodist in this locality held in the open air under a tree in the Drysdale Park.
It was probably preceded and followed by classes conducted by members of the Wesleyan Methodist Society.
1855 Eventually a brick chapel, named the Tuckfield Chapel (after Rev. Tuckfield, an early minister of Yarra Street) was opened. It was situated down Wyndham Street near to the flour mill in Jetty Road – this being the route to Geelong at the time. The society also owned in the vicinity – a minister’s house – the first minister being Rev. G.B. Richards.
The following notes are taken from the Trustees’ Minute Book of the Tuckfield Wesleyan Methodist Chapel 1859 (with explanation)
The Trustees were:
- Rev. J.D. Dodgson – Chairman
- Miss Caroline Newcombe of Coryule – Secretary
- Mr. John Thomas Gange – the station manager of Coryule.
- Mr. Matthew Ashworth – engineer at the nearby flour mill.
- Mr. James Leatherdale – at the time a storekeeper in the Drysdale township.
It is to be noted that:
- Descendants of Mr. Ashworth still worship regularly at the Drysdale Methodist Church.
- That there are known descendants of Mr. Gange still resident in another area of Bellarine Shire.
- That Mr. Leatherdale served the trust for 23 years – resigning in 1882. He discontinued storekeeping to become a local farmer.
We seem to have evidence of family but seemingly they have moved from this area and the connection has been lost. There is a record of interment in the Drysdale Cemetery.
May 1859 The liability on the Chapel was £135
November 1859 The chapel debt was liquidated and celebrated with special thanksgiving services
June 1859 The trustees agreed for Mr. Leatherdale to purchase on behalf of the church – allotment 5 Block 10 in the township of Drysdale, for £20.
May 1860 Miss Newcombe secured allotment 6 contiguous and the trustees agreed to repay her the sum of £40
May 1861 The feature of the Chapel Anniversary was the installation of kerosene lamps. The Chapel’s candlesticks consequently were donated to the Portarlington Church.
June 1861 First conversation re building on the allotment in the township recorded.
June 1862 Moved that the trustees advertise in the paper for estimates to pull down Tuckfield Chapel and re-erect in Drysdale. Also moved that the Chairman of the District be requested to apply to the Church Extension Loan for £200 towards such costs (only £75 of this was later received.)
January 1863 Mr. Hope’s tender to take down the Chapel, to rebuild and enlarge it at the township site was accepted. (This site now the present Sunday School.) Services in the meantime were comfortably conducted in Mr. Leatherdale’s barn.
June 1863 The Church bell (now in Sunday School tower) was recommended by Rev. Dodgson and purchased. Mr Leatherdale was requested to procure the Crown Grant for the new Chapel from the Treasury.
August 23rd 1863 The new Church in Drysdale was opened. For lack of other suitable accommodation the building was also used by the Sabbath School. Revenue was raised from collections, collectors’ cards, pew rents and the traditional tea meetings.
March 1864 Mrs. Dodgson (nee Caroline Newcombe) resigned office as secretary and chapel steward to accompany her husband in his duties. Here energy and business ability were greatly missed. For the next ten years or more, depressed finances, continuous repairs to the apparently poorly constructed church and the parsonage prevented progress.
April 1867 A new residence for the minister was muted but funds permitted only the addition of two new weatherboard rooms and a new roof over the older section. This house in Wyndham Street is presently occupied by Mr. Humphries.
March 1869 The two acres next door to the church – originally purchased by Miss Newcombe were offered for sale to assist church funds.
June 1877 Another move to dispose of the parsonage and rebuild was frustrated by finance.
July 1882 Fresh enthusiasm to pay off the church debt.
July 1883 Conversation re the building of a new church.
May 1884 A building committee consisting of trustees and other men of the congregation was formed and preliminary steps taken. The new church was to seat 300 people.
Now – insufficient ground had been retained to build alongside the existing church. The Committee had a choice of three pieces of ground for a site – namely:-
- Half acre adjourning for £100 with 10 to be returned as donation – this being part of what had been sold.
- One acre adjoining the Free Library on the opposite side of the street for £200 or half acre of this for £100 – the property of Mr. R. Gallop.
- Half acre adjourning Mr. Gallop’s but belonging for Mr. Lyons for £100 – £20 to be returned as donation.
June 1884 The half acre Mr. Gallop was the eventual choice and later, apparently, the Parsonage Committee purchased the adjourning half acre. The cost of the land and the Church was set to be £1500.
October 1884 Tenders called for the New Parsonage.
The Minutes of the Building Committee are missing but eventually:-
May 1887 The Foundation Stone of the new and our present Church was laid on May 24th 1887 by the Rev. J.D. Dodgson. The Church cost £2438 with the land and the arbitration costs of a fatal accident during the course of the erection. It is a gracious building and is now classified C by the National Trust.
Extracts from the Minute Book of the Drysdale Methodist Church Trust
commencing 1905.
December 1912 The present Sunday School was opened by Mr. G. Hitchcock. It was opened debt free due to a bequest of the Rev. J.D. Dodgson and generous local donations. It was built on the site of the former church which was removed for that purpose.
January 1914 Gas lights were installed in the church.
April 1927 All pew rents were abolished and notice advertised “all seats free”.
October The trustees abolished the rent for the Sunday School Hall – thus financially relieving the officers of the Sunday School.
1960 – 61 The Church interior as it is seen today was redesigned to modern style and completely redecorated.
MINISTERS WHO HAVE SERVED OUR CHURCH
(Year indicates the year of appointment)
1855 J.B. RICHARDS 1912 F.C. VIAN
1859 J.D. DODGSON 1915 W. BECKETT
1860 W.L. BLAMIRES 1918 J. POLKINGHORNE
1862 H. BAKER 1922 H. YEO
1864 R.L. VICKERS 1924 P.C.NYE
1865 W. JENNINGS 1926 L.E. EGAN LEE
1866 D. ANNEAR 1928 W.O.D. WARNOCK
1867 T. KANE 1929 J.K. ARNOLD
1869 T. GROVE 1933 J. MELLOR
1872 J.W. TUCKFIELD 1936 L.L. LOVELL
1875 R. FITCHER 1939 R.C. CASTLES
1877 C.H. INGAMELLS 1941 F.L. NUNN
1880 H.E. MERRIMAN 1943 C. HAYNES
1883 E. KING 1944 E.B. GAMBLE
1884 J.A. MARSLAND 1946 W.C.H. BRENTON
1887 M. DYSON 1950 R.J. ANDERSON
1890 J.H.A. INGHAM 1952 K.W. EDDY
1893 J. ADAMS 1956 W.L. HIGGINS
1895 J.B. SMITH 1960 D.A. RADFORD
1896 A.J. COLLOCOTT 1960 J.P. CORLY BUTLER
1899 F.O. KNEE 1963 M.C.J. WILLICOMBE
1902 A.F. WHITE 1968 T.M. WILLIAMS
(B.E. WILLIAMS)
1903 J. LOWE 1973 R. STARLING
1906 J.A. OSBORNE
1910 J.T. KEARNS
THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED AS TRUSTEES:-
J.D. DODGSON A. OLNEY H. FORD
MISS NEWCOMBE E. EDMONDS W.E. BELFRAGE
J.T. GANGE S. ALLIN E. PEEL
J. LEATHERDALE L. HATTAN J. CHATFIELD
M. ASHWORTH A. DEAN E.B. JUDD
MR. ALLEN G. ASHWORTH L. TAYLOR
MR. BUTLER W. BRYANT J. TURNER
B. FOX H.A. ABOTT B. FILBAY
W. GIBLETT R. BENHAM W.J. DAVEY
W. SNELL G. HUTCHINSON B. KELLY
F. JUDD C.H. BUTLER G. SEARL
R. SKEWES R. GRIGG J. WITCOMBE
GEO. WIFFEN C. HOLLIDAY C. HARROLD
R. GALLOP H. PEEL J. BENNETT
MR. INGLES J.H. ULLYAT
CHAS. BRAZIER R. KINGBURY
A. LYONS A.D. BRYANT
F. LYONS D. PARISH
GEO. HIBBARD V. CAPON
W. MATTHEWS W. HUTCHINSON
W. TURNER F. BUTCHER
W.R. ALLIN I. WHITCOMBE
W. MARTIN D. BRYANT
W.T. BUTLER W. SHEPHERD
H.P. JUDD E. PLUMRIDGE
H. ALLEN C. STANLEY
S. LEES G. NICKELSON
A. WEST H.A. WILLIAMS
A. WALKER W.J.C. JONES
S. WHITCOMBE A. HUTCHINSON