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The Wesley Methodist Church, Ipoh - A Brief History

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Subject :The Wesley Methodist Church, Ipoh - A Brief History
Published By : Times of Malaya Press, Ltd., Ipoh 
Location : Lahat Road, Ipoh
Estimated Year : 1910
Media Type : Postcard
Source : Ian Anderson, Ipoh / Kinta Properties Group
Remark :

This divided back postcard by MIKASA & Co., Ipoh, shows the Ipoh Methodist Church.

The history of the Wesley church is very much tied up with the Anglo Chinese School (ACS) and in the early days both school and church used the same building. The church website has much detail of the history (http://www.gbgm-umc.org/wesleymalaysia/index2.htm) and the following is merely an introduction.

The first church on the site was a wooden building that doubled as both school and church. It was called Horley Hall after Reverend Horley the founder of both school and church. However, in September 1895, subscription lists were started in order to build a new church and more school buildings. In November 1895, sufficient money was subscribed to start the building work of the new brick church (at a cost of $3,000). It was completed in May 1896. Rev. Dr. B.F. West (Presiding Elder) of Penang preached at the opening and dedication service on 3rd May 1896.

Horley also built a wooden manse in the church compound at the cost of $1,250. The same year, the Perak (state) Government agreed to sell nearly 6 acres of land along Lahat Road to the Methodist Mission for work on the church-school. By then, there were the English, Chinese and Tamil services and as for the school, ACS had already about 70 students in attendance.

Various alterations followed until the outbreak of World War II and the Japanese Occupation of Malaya when both the school and the church were taken over by the Japanese. Reopening after the war the church was subject to extension (2 wings and a church hall) in the 1950s. Then in 1991 the church suffered a serious fire and had to br rebuilt. As it was considered a historic religious site the rebuilding works were undertaken to match the original. Consequently despite extensive repairs and renovations today's church still very closely reflects its original 1896 style.

To read more about Anglo-Chinese School, Ipoh, click here.

Filename : 20070802-106