But, it wasn't like it is today, in fact, it was nothing more than a Tent Church near the diamond claims. This location you all know as the Big Hole. ln 1870 this tent Church was replaced by a mud and iron hut. Then in 1876 the Wesley Methodist Church was built on the corner of Tucker Street. Lots of people were drawn to worship there, many of them coming by ox-wagon. The Tucker Street Hall was bu
ilt close to the Mine Museum. The choir would face the congregation, while behind a screen the organist would play with her back to the congregation. Part of this screen is still in the Church, on the wall, behind the chalice, above the Communion Table. The final service was held on Sunday 26th January 1964. Temporarily the services were held in the Hall. When the move into the new Church did occur, the organ had to be dismantled, crated, moved, and re-assembled in the new Church. The organ in the present Church was also expanded by the late organist Miss Mo Vincent. Several years before this the Church Council purchased a plot of undeveloped land in Howie Road for R 3000. When the Tucker Street Church was sold, they received R 11 000 but they still had to borrow R 11000 because the total cost of building the Church was R 37 800. The foundation stone was laid on the 21st of March 1964 and the Church was dedicated and opened on the 29th of September 1964. The Manse was built in 1970, the Hall in 1975, and the West Wing in 1983. Finally the garden of remembrance was dedicated in L984. You will have noticed the stage in the back of the Church. This is because there was no money to build the hall, plus the fact that the Church had no fixed pews, only folding chairs that were turned to view any performances on the stage, and then turned back again for services. Interestingly enough, three of the old lamps that were used in the Tucker Street Church are still around today. lf you look in the Church Foyer, you will see this display cabinet with the nicest of the The lamps go back to around 1864. The Chalice above the Communion Table, was given to the Church by the Bosch Family. lt is an antique silver gilt chalice with minimal physical value, because it has been
neglected. Bill lnnes made the book cupboard in the Foyer, along with the Choir's cupboards in the Vestry. The Stone Baptismal Font in the back of the Church was donated
by Thelma Williams, Peggy Shaw, and Harold Wills, in memory of their mother, Mrs. The Original Church Bell came born the Tucker Street Church. Unfortunately it was stolen. But it was replaced by a bell that was bought in Mafikeng. The Ministers who have served in the Wesley Methodist Church Howie Road
Rev. Fennell 1966 - 1968
Rev. Graves 1969 - 1971
Rev. P. Whitaker 1972 - 1976
Rev, M. Smith 1977 - 1981
Rev. D. Schooling 1982 - 1988
Rev. J. lnnes 1989 - 1997
Rev. E.R Jacoby 1998 - 2006
Rev. C. Brown 2007 - Present
