1932 Early Years
from a series of articles on the Methodist Churches of Singapore, 1941
Lee Teck Hock
(The author is a lay preacher who serves as the assistant minister of the Paya Lebar Church. He is also the Singapore District Lay Leader and President of the Singapore District League.)
ABOUT twenty years ago Miss Sophia Blackmore, began regularly to visit the homes of Methodist members living in the Paya Lebar community, and to hold cottage-prayer meetings. In this work she was at first assisted by members of the Wesley Church and later by members of the Straits-Chinese Church. This opportunity for Christian service proved very attractive because the youth of the district gladly-responded to the message of Jesus Christ.
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No Conference appointment was made for several years, but there were laymen (Mr. Chew Hock Hin, Mr. Philip Khoo, the late Mr. H. E. Bunn, Mr. David Sundram and others) who interested themselves in this new field of Christian labour. These men formed the nucleus of the new church and the first official appointment made was in 1929 when Mr. Chew Hock Hin was appointed as supply pastor.
An English School was opened and worship services were first held in one of the school classrooms. However, the church was rapidly growing and the classroom could not accommodate the increasing of worshippers so a campaign was launched in 1935 to obtain funds for the erection of a Church building. Within the short space of three years sufficient funds were collected and the new church; built on a hill, was completed. The dedication took place on Sunday morning, May 8th, 1938.
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THE Paya Lebar Church has been characterized by fearless and aggressive evangelism on the part of the pastor and personal work on the part of the members.
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This is carried on through the use of 2 languages, the English and the Malay. At first the church ministered only to the English-speaking group composed of boys and girls of the English schools and the Straits-born young people. Sunday School classes were organized and worship services held.
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But as the pastor came into contact with the young people and visited their homes, he was genuinely concerned about the older folks, the Straits-born Chinese men and women who could not understand the English. Thus Malay work among these people began. Meetings primarily of an evangelistic character were held on Wednesday afternoons.
As the group grew in number, it was felt that Sunday services should be held for them. These were duly organized and the response was very gratifying. Wednesday meetings were continued in Malay, and converted into prayer meetings and testimony meetings.
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It was these meetings and particularly the testimony meetings that drew the largest crowds of Straits-bom Chinese men and women. The groups were not only eager to hear the word of God, but to get the Power of God; and having obtained that power they came rejoicing to testify to its manifestation and work in their lives. Further, the need arose that Bible Study classes should be held and these were conducted on Tuesday evening.
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The Church is actively engaged in a forward programme. The beginning has been small but at present the average Sunday School attendance is 160 and that of the Worship Service 120.
This is very gratifying considering the fact that there are only three rows of shophouses in the Paya Lebar Village. However, the field is large because the Church is working in a growing residential area. It includes in its sphere of activity an area occupied by three villages: the Paya Lebar, Yio Chu Kang and Tampines Villages. A few members have removed to town and elsewhere; nevertheless they still continue to give the Church their strong support.
THE Church is creating its Christian impact upon the community - through her various organizations:
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1. Through the Sunday School she is reaching the students of the district Government English School, private schools and non-Christian homes.
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2. Through the Epworth League are supplied the needs of the youth in the district, especially in recreation and culture.
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3. Through the Boys' Brigade and Girls' Life Brigade, the boys and girls of the schools are provided channels for self- expression and occupation of leisure hours in wholesome ways.
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4. Through the Woman's Society of Christian Service much has been given by the members in flower contributions for Sunday services and money to the Church Building Fund.
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5. Through the efforts of the choirs, both junior and senior, under the leadership of Mr. and Mrs. Paul E. Thomas, the Church has been greatly blessed and the Sunday morning services made more worshipful.
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6. Last but not least, are the Class Meetings organized last year and found to be of great practical value. These are composed of various age groups, each under a leader, meeting weekly for discussions, calling and personal evangelism. Perhaps these constitute the most effective force in the Church in her evangelistic programme and social service.
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There is yet another medium through which the Church proclaims the Gospel and that is the publication of The Christian Circle. Under the wise and loving pastoral guidance and ministry of the Rev. Chew Hock Hin the Church is a beehive of Christian activity.
But all praise and thanks must be given to God, for it was not without trials and difficulties , opposition and persecution that the Paya Lebar Methodist Church was permanently on the Solid Rock of Christ.