History page 8

It must be mentioned here that the Rev. L. J. Hopkins had served faithfully as a Methodist Missionary and pastor of the St. John’s Hill’s Church. Before coming to Bangalore he served at Kolar Gold Field (1927-30). Apart from his service to our Church and the Wesley Guild, he had been largely responsible for the very successful War time work at The East Parade Church and the Soldier’s Home. His term of service ended with the War, but he served our Church till 1947.

Of Fruitful services rendered and cherished

In addition to the regular sections of the Guild, one observes a notable change: the addition of a Library Representative, a Devotional Representative and a Social Representative. These changes were introduced on April, 1947. Despite a decline in attendance, members insisted upon continuing the work of the Guild.

A sample of the Guild programmes through the years 1947-1950 would read like this:- The programme of events was called the Syllabus.

THE SYLLABUS FOR JUNE AND JULY 1947

Some changes in the Syllabus would include events like the Harvest Festival Services, Musical Evenings, Guild Anniversary Socials, and Carols

The Wesley Guild had painstakingly served the Church for 40 years and the decline due to changed circumstances is not surprising. However even in its twilight years, it has left an indelible stamp in our hearts, of a force and inspiration never to be seen again.

Church of south India

When our historic church union took place on 28th September 1947, a notable visitor to India for the inauguration of the C.S.I. was Edgar W. Thompson a former Wesleyan Missionary (1894-1910). He had been the inspiration and architect of the U.K. Seminary at Tumkur, which opened in 1916 and was its first Principal.

Prior to this event, the last Mysore District Synod of the Methodist Church met in January 1947 and closed with the traditional hymn with the lines:By that unerring spirit led, We shall not in the desert stray.All grief at the disappearance of the Methodist Mission in the Mysore District was swallowed up in the anticipation of the

Mysore Diocese of the Church of South India.

An important aspect of working together after Church Union was to be seen in 1949 at the St. John’s Hill Pastorate. Here arrangements were made with the former C.I.B.C and the pastor of the St. John’s Hill Church, for co-operation in Sunday School Work and in preparation of young people for full membership.

In 1950 the St. John’s Hill Pastorate under the pastoral care of the Rev. A. Marcus Ward reports that the services are well attended, and that the spirit and devotion of the people have been excellent. Improvements were made in the fabric and furnishing of our Church. The favourable financial situation was partly due to the fact that the Presbyter served in an honorary capacity.Our evening services were well attended, and the members had increased. The congregation thanked God for this. The Rev. Marcus Ward who was in-charge of three other congregations, expressed the need for a full- time pastor for our Church.