Rongotea Late Campbelltown From The Treasury, CH. Hinman 1899
The assembly in this place was commenced about 19 years
ago (1880) by our Brethren W Anderson and James Chrystall who
shortly after their arrival from Scotland began to remember the
Lord in the breaking of bread in a small slab whare in the heart of
the bush. The little meeting at first consisted of only four persons,
the two already mentioned and their wives, and the circumstances
around them were certainly anything but cheering. The roads were
unformed and indescribably bad. One’s life at times being in
danger in trying to get over them. At any moment your horse
might be up to his chest. This was a constant occurrence; and
occasionally it was much worse than this yet not withstanding all
these and many other difficulties they did right in starting the
meeting and the Lord honoured their faith and obedience.
Very soon after the start I had the privilege of joining them
in the weekly feast, riding twelve miles every Lord’s day morning
in order to be there thus making the little company to number five.
At the same time, also we commenced to preach together and
better still God began to work,
The meetings were first held in a small cottage, then they
were removed to Messes Rowe &L Sons Sawmill, where the secret
work fad already begun, through the agency of “The message of
Life” and one or two other testimonies therefore it was just ready
to our hands. For the next three months we had glorious times
never to be forgotten by those who went through them and the
very remembrance of it today sends a thrill of joy through you.
The Sawmill was situated in the heart of the bush, with no
formed roads to it, and not a house to be seen except the four or
five in connection with the mill itself: yet we regularly had
seventy and eighty out to the meetings and rarely a meeting passed
at this time without a conversion. God was with us and the
meetings were full of joy. We were fishing with hooks and lines,
certainly – not with nets — but the Lord enabled us to land about
40 good fish, perhaps more. It was a sight worth seeing, and not
easily to be forgotten. How these dear people came to the
meetings, the only way to get was walking along the tram rails
and if you happened to slip off you might find, ‘yourself up to your
knees in mud and water: so to avoid this unpleasant experience
they used to take each other by the hand to steady themselves
while in the other hand they held a glass bottle, out of which the
bottom had been knocked and a lighted candle dropped into the
neck of it. The was known as the “Bush Lantern” and it gave
fight to their feet along the rails, and as these dear young converts
thus came along to the meetings, they made the bush ring again
with favourite hymns that expressed their new ) found joy. These
were happy days — days of power bright faces and joyful hearts,
and the difficulties of mud and water were scarcely looked at.
Just after the work started we reached a public holiday
(Easter 1881), so it was suggested we should have an all day
meeting. This gave us a little excitement and deep exercise as to
how it was to be managed, but as necessity is the mother of
invention, it came to our help at the moment, and the difficulties
were surmounted. Four upright poles were put in the ground,
others were put on top of them, over these we stretched a stack,
cloth and all was ready. Here our first all day meeting was held.
The first in these parts and possibly the first in the colony as it
was in all probability the smallest. We numbered altogether
nineteen souls and we were happy in each others fellowship. The
ministry wasn’t much but we were satisfied with it, and the joy
of the Lord filled our hearts. To us it was a wonderful day
marking quite an epoch in our history.
Rongotea Gospel Hall by Thomas Rowe
The early beginnings of the Rongotea Gospel Hall originated from a Scottish immigrant Gordon Forlong who hailed from Pallok Castle, Paisley near Glasgow coming to New Zealand due to ill health. He arrived in August 1876 and immediately purchased a farm north of Bulls. Two young couples (associates of Forlong) also arrived in New Zealand in
late 1877 to seek employment those being James and Anne Chrystal with William and Alexia Anderson (William and Anne being brother and sister), The Chrystalls were employed on Forlong’s farm while the Andersons found a home and work near Wanganui.
Gordon Forlong’s health improved and being a “man of God” he began preaching around the district, and spent more and ‘more time away from the farm.
At a public auction conducted by John Stevens on 5th May 1878 the Chrystalls purchased a farm west of Campbelltown on the present Rongotea Road. At the same sale the Andersons purchased land in the district.
On Sundays the two couples would meet together at Chhrystall’s in a slab whare or hut ( calling themselves ‘brothers or brethren’) to break bread and remember the Lord. A year or so later they were joined by an Englishman Mr Charles Hinman who also immigrated to Bulls as a young man and was converted after hearing the evangelist Gordon Forlong preach. Hinman was commended to full rime evangelism and became one of the greatest preachers in the country.
Meanwhile at Makowhai the Rowe Bros owned a sawmill and employed a number of men. It was about 1880 that Thomas Rowe one of the brothers, became a Christian through a Miss Maunder from Wellington posting him a tract (“The Good News). The story goes that on receipt of the tract Thomas was unimpressed and passed it on to his brother Nicholas who read and responded to the call all in the one day. Wasting no time, Nicholas virtually dragged Thomas to Bulls next day to fest Gordon Forlong preach, and he too became a Christian. Christianity became infectious as Thomas spread the gospel to Sarah Buchanan and to his brothers and many of the workers at the mill. With the mill being some three miles in distance from Chrystalls the local groups of new Christians met regularly at either the sawmill or Chrystalls. Within two years numbers increased to over seventy. A small hall was built on Chrystall’s farm which was used regularly for services but that too was soon outgrown with the influx of followers. It became evident that there was a need for bigger facilities to accommodate the brethren – a place to worship.
A block of land consisting of four sections on the corner of today’s Thames and Ouse Streets was purchased in 1890 where an adequate assembly hall was built. The first trustees were Thomas Rowe and George Henry Marshall. Anterooms were added in those early years and again in 1924 a kitchen and supper room were built on to the rear of the building. The trustees in 1925 were Thomas, Hillary and Edward Rowe, Albert Lind and James Hunt.
Rongotea Gospel Hall built in 1890 Nicholas Rowe’s diary of 1894 records as follows: Sunday 10am prayer, 10.30am. Breaking of bread, 3pm. Meeting at the mill, 6pm. Open air. 7pm Gospel meeting. Monday singing practice, Tuesday oversight, Wednesday afternoon – Sister group, Thursday – Bible reading, Friday – Prayer.
The first all-day meeting or conference as it was known dates back to Easter 1881 which was held on Chrystalls farm where some poles in the ground to which a haystack cover was attached was the venue for the 19 people who attended. ‘This first conference became an annual event which continued for over a hundred years. In later years the Coronation Hall in Rongotea was a suitable venue with facilities to cater for larger numbers.
In 1904 the Rongotea Brethren supported Edward Buchanan, Edwin Noel, Emily Starck and Willie Revell to travel to India and work as missionaries, another local man Oscar Persson went to China to serve his Lord. Visiting preachers like Gordon Forlong and Charles Hinman have preached from the pulpit at Rongotea besides the local men who have served the church through many generations, perhaps the Rowe Family being the only one still worshipping there after one hundred and twenty-five years.
In 1956 a new building was planned to be built beside the first hall but closer to Ouse Street, which was officially opened by Mr Tom Lind, an early settler and member of the congregation on 21″ March 1959. This church has been known as Rongotea Gospel Chapel, Thames Street Chapel and now Rongotea Bible Chapel. Constructed of brick on concrete foundations this substantial structure will serve many generations in the future.
The original Gospel Hall served as a Sunday School and Rally Hall till a new Youth Hall and Sunday School rooms were built in 1979 which adjoin the new church.
The old Gospel Hall which stood for almost ninety years was finally dismantled to make way for a car park. The eastern most section of the original four sections purchased in 1890 was sold to the Presbyterians next door to provide a car park for their congregation, With no dividing boundary fence between the two properties the car parks are used by either church when there is an extra large attendance at funerals etc.
On Sunday 2nd November 2003 the Rongotea Bible Chapel held a “Nostalgia Nite” to celebrate almost one hundred and twenty-five years of existence. A 1940’s style tea was held reminiscent of times when conferences or ‘all-day meetings’ were held. The menu taken from the Treasurer’s invoice book of 1941, consisted of hot pies, sandwiches, block fruit cake, jam rolls and scones, cheese pieces and tea ( no coffee then) with homemade lemonade for the children.
A buggy was supplied by Graham Rowan from Palmerston North (whose father, James Rowan often used to take the Sunday evening gospel service and tell of the work of the Postal Sunday School Mission). Vic Taylor an ex-rally boy provided a horse for Rowan’s buggy and drove several loads of people around the streets of Rongotea. Many who attended were suitably dressed for the occasion, the men with suits complete with pocket watch & chain attached to the waistcoat and bowler hats while the women were attired in long frocks, furs and hats of the early 1900’s.
Following the meal, those 100 plus people present moved into the chapel where some old time hymns were sung accompanied by Alan Rowe on an old pedal organ. Tom Rowe gave a resumee of the history of the church describing the transport conditions in which some had to bear in order to attend church in those early years People would walk along the logging tramline rails, holding hands to keep them from slipping off into knee deep mud and carrying bush lanterns made from a candle inserted into a bottle which had the bottom cut out, and singing as they went along. This was actually re-enacted on cue, lanterns and all, by a group of present day members of the church. Many others told tales of their special memories of ear church activities. The ‘Nostalgia Nite’ was a great success with requests for a similar function in the future.
Their request was granted when in June 2005 the Rongotea Bible Chapel held a special reunion to celebrate 125 years This function was held in the Te Kawau Recreation Centre beginning with a Thanksgiving Service on Sunday ming at 10a.m. A celebratory lunch was served with a time of reminiscing and fellowship, followed by afternoon tea. A lay of photographs, Sunday School and Rally memorabilia drew much interest. Again period costumes were a feature day.
Singleton Rowe spoke of his grandparents involvement in the early days of the church while Lilian Rowe and Diane McNae = Fleming) spoke on various aspects of their experiences.
Earlier Tom Rowe projected photos of founder and other early members on a large screen via a data projector plus some of the earliest known photos of Rongotea pre 1900 with others from the horse-drawn days. The 1920’s vintage cars and tracotrs were on display to complete the atmosphere of days gone by.
School at the Gospel Hall – Brethren by Thomas Rowe
Sunday School was always an important part of the Brethren Church or Gospel Hall as it used to be known. Records don’t go back much beyond the 1920’s when James Hunt was Superintendent and ran the programmes, but there is evidence that Sanday Schools existed from about 1890- some prizes (books) have been found which were awarded in the early 1890’s. James Hunt’s attendance registers with points awarded for attendance and memory work go way back to 1926. Stan Rowe took over from James in the mid 1950’s to be followed by Russell Fleming and in more recent times Egan and Lorna ills, Heather Toland has been the current teacher since 2006.
Highlights were always the annual Sunday School “Teas’ in June when pupils would sing and recite to parents and supporters, o the picnics in the summer which were held at Tangimoana, Himatangi Beach or various sports grounds.
During the second World War years when petrol was rationed, in an endeavour to save petrol the majority of pupils and teachers would stay after the morning service and have lunch in the supper room in readiness for Sunday School which started at 2pm. Thus saving a trip home and return, remembering there was another Service to attend in the evening.
As early Sunday School was held in the Makowhai School as well as one at Kopane School and later the hall where Messrs ennett, Forlong and E. Whitehead were involved. Cecil Pettitt, Ron Rowe and then Alan Rowe followed on in this ccession until its closure in the mid 1990’s.
Another large Sunday School was held in the Ohakea District Hall where Hillary Rowe was in charge. Harold Mai sed Sunday School in the Glen Oroua Hall for several years. Singleton Rowe riding a push bike recommenced day School (1950) in the Carnarvon School. Previous to this Donald Rowe was in charge at an earlier stage. Tom Rowe ok over from Singleton Rowe who began a flourishing Sunday School in the Oroua Downs School.
When the motor car came into vogue Sunday School teachers and some parents within the Brethren Church would take ‘other families besides their own to Sunday School regardless of denomination. They were all welcome to come and hear a Biblical message and join in the singing of childrens’ hymns. For some, it was the only opportunity to hear such a message ‘and receive teachings of this nature. With the closure of schools and changing times the Rongotea Sunday School is the ‘only one continuing at this time.
Rongotea Every Boy’s Rally by Thomas Rowe
The Rongotea Every Boy’s Rally began in 1951, the first leader being Singleton Rowe with assistants Stan Rowe, Maurice Print, Herbert Hunt, Arthur Hockly, Rex Mai and Tom Rowe who was still at high school. Rally was held in the old Gospel Hall built 1890.
Although E.B.R is organised by the Brethren Church it is open to all boys (aged 8 years and upwards) from the township and surrounding district. It has always been held on a Tuesday night alternating with the girls Rally every other week. The leaders and some fathers would pick up the boys on their way to rally and deliver them safely home at the conclusion of the evening. Cars were packed to overflowing – all the more the merrier! These were the days before seatbelts and loading laws were introduced. Singleton had a baby Austin 7 and the number of boys squeezed into its forgiving interior was incredible, later his 1952 Ford 10 was a slight improvement for size.
The programme consisted of games, hobbies followed by a spiritual talk, finishing with supper, which was biscuits and cocoa in the winter or soft drinks in the summer. The Griffins loose, unwrapped biscuits were purchased by the tin (300mm square). Suppers have since been discontinued as have the tinned biscuits.
Queens Birthday weekend camps were held from the beginning at Packakariki, Foxton Racecourse, Reikorangi (in the hills from Waikanae), Marton, Nikau Lodge at Paraparaumu, Foxton Beach and latterly at Highland Home in the Pohangina Valley. The camps of today are held in late summer and occasionally have been held on private property alongside a river. In the earlier days, rally boys from Poroutawhao (near Levin) always joined the annual camps and on one occasion with some extra boys from Shannon and a Taranaki rally group, over one hundred and twenty boys were in camp at the old Marton Camp buildings (Marton Carrying Co. depot till 2006). By the early ‘80s the camps were combined with the girls, an unheard of combination twenty years earlier. Camps were always looked forward to as a time of fun as well as a time of commitment to spiritual matters.
Occasional outings during the summer months consisted of trips to the Oroua River, Tangimoana Beach, Burns Ford, Tenpin Bowling, grain harvesting and even to McDonalds.
In 1960 Tom Rowe helped by Mrs Shaw began a Combined boys and girls rally at Tangimoana. To have boys and girls together in those days of the Rally movement was fairly ground-breaking stuff. David Fleming helped for a while and Mrs Beaumont from Tangimoana helped with the essential supper. Due to commitments this ceased in 1963.
Over the years sports days have been held, cross country running and volleyball tournaments competing with other Manawatu Rally groups. Rongotea has been particularly successful in the cross country races, right up to this day.
Many of the senior boys who attended rally progressed onward to become assistant leaders and some served for thirty years or more. Tom Rowe contributed over fifty-five years service. Other than those mentioned earlier leaders include Alan Rowe, David Fleming, the Wheeler brothers, Milton and Henry, Robert Fleming, Andy Rogers, Bruce Hockly, Haydon Rowe and Jason Fleming.
The new Rally Hall built in 1979 adjoining the new chapel (1959) has been a great venue for rallies in recent times with far more space for activities. With the rally movement still strong in this area the future looks bright for further guidance and fun for many years to come.
Rongotea Every Girl’s Rally By Esmae Fleming
Motto: Remember now your creator while you are young. Ecclesiastes 12.1.
The girls Rally started in 1951 under the leadership of Dorothy Lind whose brother Noel worked for Leo Clark, the proprietor of a cycle shop in Newmarket, Auckland, who had a strong desire to start a boys and girls club, hence the start of the Rally movement in New Zealand. The aim of Rally is to concentrate on the spiritual, educational and physical areas of young peoples lives regardless of denomination and race.
Dorothy was assisted by sister Beryl, cousin Avis, Margaret Hockly, Eileen and Ruth Rowe. The programme includes parade, roll call, the motto, rally code, memory verses recited, hobbies (crafi), games, singing, Bible teaching and supper. Girls could gain badges for achieving a certain standard in various subjects i.e. craft, cooking, scripture, sport etc. The ages to attend rally was ten (later lowered to eight) to sixteen years of age. Rally became very popular and membership grew rapidly. The girls were transported to and from rally by the leaders.
Valerie Rowe took over the leadership in 1963, she had great camping skills and was able to pass her knowledge on to other leaders and girls alike.
Annual Rally camps was a great highlight for all, with special memories of camps at Marton and Foxton Beach. Through invited guest speakers many girls gained a knowledge of a personal friendship with God. Highland Home at Pohangina Valley with its situation beside the river, the domain and flying fox has been a popular venue for camps. In 1982 it was decided to combine with the Boys’ Rally for annual camps. Rally Arura (International camp) became an experience for many young people and their leaders. These are held four yearly in different areas throughout Australia and New Zealand. “The ten day camps are a great opportunity to learn more about the Christian values taught at Rally, to make overseas friends and visit places many young people may not have a chance to visit otherwise. Fundraising for these camps is great. Lots of hard work which the girls join in and also lots of fun ie. mid-winter Christmas dinner, when the girls helped towards the food and later entertained their guests. Through their efforts sixteen young people were able to attend camp at Mt Tamborine, Australia.
To provide general funds to keep the Rally afloat with no charge to the children attending rally, an annual activity held on the first rally of each year is collecting and selling pines cones. The children participate plus leaders, and willing parents. “The Rally organisers are indebted to the managers of Land Corp. Tangimoana, Mr Harry Ellison and Mr Max Bary for the opportunity to ‘glean’ their cones.
Rally Cookbooks (first published in 1979) have been successful fund raisers and have proved most popular with well over 100,000 copies sold. The latest edition continues to be a best seller.
The girls attend Church Parades dressed in their uniform of navy serge gym frocks, white blouses with badges attached with their banner held high they enter the church in pairs to join their parents and congregation gathered to hear a gospel message.
Like the boys’ Rally the girls compete in their annual district sports events with rally groups from Palmerston North, Feilding, Levin, Marton, Woodville etc. all partaking in volleyball, swimming, cross country races to name a few. The young ones compete with much enthusiasm and have regularly brought home the much prized trophies. District activities now include Bible Trivia and a Big Day Out, which is usually at the beach or park or the Maize Maze north of Bulls.
Over the years different leaders have brought in new ideas and talents which has contributed to some wonderful nights of learning opportunities to try something new which develops into achieving something very special.
End of year breakups over the years has been a night of variety. The children entertain the parents and visitors with singing, drama, Christmas scenes concluding with a treat- a wonderful supper or to keep up with the times a BBQ tea. A great finale to a year of learning and lots of fun.
In 2004 the age for joining rally was lowered to seven with the stare time brought forward to 6.30pm, with forty-two girls on the rolll indicating that Girls Rally is as healthy as ever with plans of continued service in the future.
Those who have helped as leaders over the years are:-Lily-Ann Rowe, Phyllis Lind, Esmae Fleming, Natalie Young, Beryl Fleming, Jean Fleming, Jenny Wheeler, Robyn Gennills, Elizabeth Hockly, Frances Rogers, Roseanne and Diane Fleming, Rosemary Dietrich, Bev Elphick, Amanda Berry, Jenny Mudford and Jean Arnott.
Some with special talents invited to help with crafts have been Shirley Haddon, ‘Trixie Procter and Karen Graham. In more recent years leaders have included Lynnair Fleming, Nicole Fleming, Stacey and Anjuli Graham, Renee Hockly and Lidia Rogers.
Rongotea Bible Chapel Ladies Missionary Fellowship 1930-2006 by Eileen Rowe
The early ladies meetings concentrated on helping needy folk, missionary work, Bible study, and prayer support. During WWII the biggest need was for many unobtainable food items, soap, cotton, elastic etc. so the meeting became a parcel packing effort. Each month seven large parcels were posted to missionaries in India, Africa and Great Britain. Each item was individually wrapped in strong brown paper tied with string and the completed parcel sewn into flour bag covers. (No plastic bags or cellutape in those days). Tinned meat, dried milk powders and marmite were always included. This continued until food rationing ceased in most places. Eventually it was more economical to send money.
In October 1977 the meetings became bi-monthly Coffee Mornings. The focus continued on New Zealand missionaries overseas and in New Zealand plus local work. Over the years we have appreciated visits from many friends serving around the world and in New Zealand. These have broadened our horizons and given us a glimpse of other’s needs and much joy in helping others worse off than ourselves.