Christians around the globe celebrated the 200th anniversary of Methodism last month.

And the congregation of Wesleyan Methodist Church in Smith's Parish added their own personal stories to the rejoicing, recognising the 160 years since the foundation stone was laid at their own place of worship.

The Sunday service there two weeks ago was one which brought to life over a one and a half century's worth of rich heritage, in a place that people have been coming to generation after generation in the collective praise of God.

Rev. Joseph Whalen said: "We had a special two-hour service which included a sermon from Rev. Ron Dempsey, who served in our church from 1960 until 1964 and had a tremendous influence in organising programmes for the youth.'' He noted that Rev. Dempsey had been responsible for the founding of the Wolf Cub movement during his time there, which is a version of the Scouts but for younger boys.

"The wolf-cubs is still going strong,'' Rev. Whalen said, "and part of our service was to recognise movement's various leaders between 1964 and the present. Six of them were in attendance and they received certificates of appreciation for their service.'' The beginnings of the Wesleyan Methodist Church took root in 1839.

But, as Church historian Norman Noble explained, the practice of Methodism in Bermuda goes back as far as 1748, when Rev. George Parker decided to preach in open fields and in homes due to what he called a "religious poverty among both coloured and white people''.

He was refused permission to preach in a church until the Christ Church, Warwick "generously opened their doors'' and allowed him the use of their pulpit.

Mr. Noble continued: "On May 10, 1799, the Rev. John Stephenson arrived. he was reportedly a man of warm sympathies and graciousness, with a distinctive preaching ability and several years of successful ministerial experience in the UK.'' "He remained in Bermuda, '' he said, "for approximately 18 months, six months of which was spent in jail at St. George's for preaching to slaves; a practice which he continued through the window grating of his cell.'' But the Methodist Church was not officially founded in Bermuda until 1808, when Rev. Joshua Marsden arrived for a four-year stay and spearheaded the removal of many social barriers and injustices.

Mr. Noble described: "In St. George's he organised the first Sunday School in the colony, and later a day school. Both were open to all people. Worship groups were then called Methodist Classes because of the methodical manner in which the members conducted their lives.'' "Rev. Marsden's growing popularity led to the construction of the Zion church in Hamilton.'' he continued, "It was the first Methodist Church built in the city, and the only one for the next 35 years.'' By the time of Rev. Marsden's departure from the Island in 1812, there were active Methodist Classes in St. George's, Bailey's Bay, Brackish Pond, Heron's Bay and Somerset.

But it was not until five years after the 1834 abolition of slavery that the idea for Wesleyan Centenary Church surfaced.

The laying of the Foundation stone was described in The Royal Gazette on August 27, 1839.

"On August 20, the Foundation Stone of Harris' Bay Wesleyan Centenary Methodist Chapel was laid in the third year of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, by Rev. Theophiluss Pugh, Rev. Thomas Jeffrey and the Rev. Thomas Smith.'' Mr. Noble also explained that parchment containing a brief history of Methodism in Bermuda, together with coins of different reigns which were put in a phial, was placed in a cavity of Centenary's corner stone.

A poem included on the parchment (and printed elsewhere on this page) was said in a 1967 edition of The Mid-Ocean News to "have reflected the spiritual tone and aspirations of a band of Methodists who had been meeting regularly in the home of Samuel and Nancy Williams in Harris Bay, and then decided it was time they had their own place''.

The product of their "aspirations'' was the building of a chapel, proposed by Rev. Thomas Smith.

The church opened for worship on November 11, 1841 and a great chapter in Bermudian Methodist history began.

The numerous changes and movements which have been implemented over the years, including the addition of Stephenson Memorial Hall in 1964, have not acted to dull the spirit which exists within the church.

As Mr. Noble explained, the inner walls of the buildings are covered in plaques "displaying the names of people who, over the years, have played a significant role in the management and growth of our church''.

One of those plaques bears the name of Marie McDougal, congregation member who ran a group called the Explorers, which were much like the girl guides, between 1957 and 1977.

Others include those commemorating the formidable 19th century social reformer Nancy Williams and Isaac Smith, who gave a generous amount of money to aid in the building of the church's first building.

It was figures such as these that Rev. Whalen said contributed to his feelings that "the church has a bright future''.

"There have been some ups and downs over the years,'' he admitted, "but in its committed and dedicated congregation, the church always had and still has a real warmth and strength about it.'' Rev. Whalen noted that Sunday School figures were rising at Wesleyan Centenary, due in no small part to "the strong sense of pride and commitment in our volunteers''.

Asked what he planned for the church's immediate and not-so-immediate future, the Reverend said: "We look to continue to grow and to try and continue to have an impact on the community.'' He added that he considered it important that the church's younger members be taught about its heritage through stories and pictures.

Also he felt that there should be a stronger tradition of putting up plaques in more of Bermuda's churches because "they act as a catalyst for the telling of stories by older members who, in turn, are living chronicles of the Church's rich history. That's important.'' METHODIST POEM This poem was included in parchment that was placed in a cavity in Wesleyan Centenary Methodist Church's corner stone.

Here let to Thee a Temple Stand, While the Sea shall gird the Land; And let this Temple ever be, Blessed Jesus, filled with Thee.

And here reveal They mercy sure, While the Sun and Moon endure.