1971
1 December 1971
METHODISTS’ 100 YEARS IN GULGONG
A call to keep alive the fervour and faith and Christian service of the first Methodists of the Gulgong district was made at the service on Sunday to celebrate the centenary of Methodism in Gulgong.
Rev. Tredinnick, a former Gulgong Minister at the Gulgong Church about 40 years ago said the centenary was a good opportunity for Gulgong Methodists to renew the enthusiasm and missionary spirit that was first shown in the gold mining boom town of Gulgong in their daily lives.
The Service was conducted by the Rev. Vic. Niedeck.
A capacity congregation took part on Sunday in the centenary service of Thanksgiving for the past 100 years when the story of Methodism in Gulgong was remembered and prayers for the future were offered in the Sunday worship.
Cr. Paul Khoury, President of the Cudgegong Shire, visitors from other centres and representatives of the Gulgong Church of England, Presbyterian, Salvation Army and Catholic Churches and members of the Odd Fellows Lodge took part in the service.
Mrs. Don Lewis, Miss Carol Gudgeon and Elizabeth and Fiona Lewis were dressed in the costumes of the 1870s and gave a colourful atmosphere to the gathering in the original Methodist Church, now the Odd Fellows Hall.
OLD NAMES
Rev. Tredennick asked what would have been the story if nobody had cared 100 years ago when the first Methodist congregation was established in Gulgong.
The annalls of the history of Methodist endeavour in Gulgong was filled with the names of the Brigdens, the Weis’s, the Gudgeons, the Colemans, O’Reilly’s.
He called on the young people of today to take over from them and move into their second century carrying the torch of Christian Faith and giving new life and service to the community.
Commenting on the ecumenical movement, Mr. Tredinnick said there was a glorious future for Methodist community in the union with Presbyterian and Congregational brothers if this should be the outcome of the vote to be taken by the 3 churches.
Morning tea was served by the Methodist women in the Odd Fellows Hall and messages of congratulations were given by spokesmen for the other four Christian communities in Gulgong.
For the Church of England Mr. Dal Hollow; Presbyterian, Mr. Harry Seis; Salvation Army, Mr. H. Gudgeon; and for Catholic Community Mr. Frank Halloran.
Mr. Max Douglas, President of the Gulgong Odd Fellows who now own the old Church offered the lodge’s congratulations to the Gulgong Church.
He said the Lodge was pleased to have the Church use the hall for their Sunday School and be associated with the history of the Gulgong Methodist Church.
The organist was Mrs. Ron Gossage.
Mrs. C. Howat and Miss Helen Seis sang a duet “ The Mansions over the Hills” accompanied by Mrs. Watt on the organ.
Hymns sung by the congregation during the service were “All Things Praise Thee” “A charge I have to Keep” “I Know My Redeemer Lives” and “Faith of Our Fathers”1
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6 December 1971
The People Pages
A feature about you and you and you
The womenfolk provided the link with the colourful past in these pretty dresses of the 1870s, recently. They are pictured here with Rev. Vic Neideck and the Rev. Edgar Tredinnick, guest Preacher after the special service to mark the centenary of the Methodist Church in Gulgong on Sunday, November 28, 1971.
(Photo)
(L. to R.) Kathryn Lewis, (Mrs) Edith Lewis, Fiona Lewis, Elizabeth Lewis and Carol Gudgeon2
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