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First Methodist Church
Methodist services were first provided in the district by Rev E. Robson on February 4, 1865 with only 12 people present. This service was repeated every fourth week until the first church building was built.
The first Methodist Church in this district was erected in 1872-73 during the ministry of Rev. Amos Russ of New Westminster. It was set on the brow of the ridge, overlooking the Fraser River, a landmark to river travellers before the days of highways and railways. It was built to seat 100 people at a cost of $1,000. It also housed the Presbyterian congregation and for many years, Presbyterians and Methodists alternated Sundays.
It stood for nearly 20 years on the brow of the hill a few hundred yards from the site to which it was moved to a site on the River Road which had been donated by W.J. Howison just before his death. The Church was reopened in 1891. A parsonage was built on a lot donated by Wm. Nelson. It is interesting to note that these same two public-spirited gentlemen each donated half of the first acre of our cemetery plus a trail to it from the church.
The congregation met for the last time in this historic building on Sunday, June 6, 1926 after which date part of the congregation united with Hammond and part with Haney in the move that formed the United Church of Canada.
In 1934 the Church was renovated and became the headquarters of Fraser Valley Japanese Mission under Rev. Y Akagawa.
In May of 1947, a joint meeting of the three local United Church congregations – Haney, Hammond, and Webster's Corners – was held in the Haney church to determine the fate of the old Methodist church building. It was determined that the property would be sold and the proceeds divided between the three congregations.
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