From a Whaling Ship to the Methodist Church

From a Whaling Ship to the Methodist Church - 

The story of Methodism on Norfolk Island begins with an extraordinary twist of fate in 1879. Alfred H. Phelps, serving as a ship's cook aboard the American whaling vessel 'Canton', fell gravely ill whilst the ship was in the Friendly Islands. The captain, recognising the severity of Phelps' condition, made the practical decision to seek medical assistance at the nearest available port—Norfolk Island.

What makes this tale particularly remarkable is that Phelps was not merely a cook, but a lay preacher with a calling to spread the Methodist faith. His illness, which could have been a mere inconvenience, became the catalyst for establishing an entirely new religious denomination on the island. After his recovery, Phelps recognised what he perceived as a spiritual need amongst the Norfolk Island community and felt compelled to remain and minister on the island.

For three years, from 1879 to 1882, Phelps conducted his ministry before returning to America. However, his commitment to the Norfolk Island community was so strong that he returned in 1884, this time accompanied by his wife, arriving on 5th June.

The growth of the Methodist congregation necessitated larger premises, and permission was eventually granted by the Chief Magistrate to utilise the old Military Barracks at Kingston.

The Methodist community faced a significant transition when Alfred Phelps died on 29th October 1890 and was laid to rest at Kingston. His widow courageously continued the ministry until 6th February 1891, when she too returned to America, leaving the fledgling church without its founding leadership. This period could have marked the end of Methodist influence on Norfolk Island, but the community's faith proved resilient.

A succession of preachers from New Zealand, working alongside dedicated local laymen, maintained the Methodist tradition from 1891 until 1902. 

The Methodist community's growth and stability were demonstrated through an ambitious building project that began in April 1923. On land generously donated by Mrs Byron Adams, work commenced on constructing a new church at Middlegate. This project exemplified the community spirit that had become synonymous on the island—trees were donated by local residents, and all labour was provided voluntarily by community members.

The ongoing steady expansion of church facilities reflected the growing needs and prosperity of the Methodist community. Each addition represented not merely physical growth, but the community's evolving role in island life, from spiritual guidance to practical social services through initiatives like the Opportunity Shop.

"Brightly Beams", also known as "Let the Lower Lights be Burning," is one of our most beloved traditional Norfolk Island hymns, with deep connections to the whaling era of the 1870s onwards. Written by American composer Philip Bliss in 1871, this hymn carries profound nautical themes centred on the metaphor of lighthouse guidance.

Travel offers us one of life's most extraordinary gifts: the opportunity to step into an entirely different world, each with its own rhythm, stories, and soul. Yet too often, we find ourselves skimming the surface—ticking off landmarks, snapping photos, posting to social media and moving on without truly connecting with the places we visit. The most enriching journeys happen when we dare to dig deeper, to listen closely, and to open our hearts to the profound stories that every destination has to tell.

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Transcript

From Whaling Ships to Uniting Church

Welcome to Episode 39 of the Untold Norfolk Island travel podcast series.

My name is Jodie Williams and as a Norfolk Islander & Churchill Fellow, I am your ‘on island’ podcast host.

Audio - A snippet of a recording captured in 1972 at the Methodist Church:

The Methodist Church on Norfolk Island represents another sound heritage chapter in the island's religious and cultural history, spanning over a century of faith, community and resilience.

In this podcast episode let’s explore the fascinating journey from the arrival of an American whaling ship cook in 1879 to the establishment of a thriving Methodist community that eventually became part of the Uniting Church in Australia.

The story of Methodism on Norfolk Island begins with an extraordinary twist of fate in 1879. Alfred H. Phelps, serving as a ship's cook aboard the American whaling vessel 'Canton', fell gravely ill whilst the ship was in the Friendly Islands. The captain, recognising the severity of Phelps' condition, made the practical decision to seek medical assistance at the nearest available port—Norfolk Island.

What makes this tale particularly remarkable is that Phelps was not merely a cook, but a lay preacher with a calling to spread the Methodist faith. His illness, which could have been a mere inconvenience, became the catalyst for establishing an entirely new religious denomination on the island. After his recovery, Phelps recognised what he perceived as a spiritual need amongst the Norfolk Island community and felt compelled to remain and minister on the island.

For three years, from 1879 to 1882, Phelps conducted his ministry before returning to America. However, his commitment to the Norfolk Island community was so strong that he returned in 1884, this time accompanied by his wife, arriving on 5th June. This decision to return with his spouse demonstrated his long-term commitment to establishing a permanent Methodist presence on the island, setting the stage for what would become a century-long religious tradition.

Phelps' ministry was far from smooth sailing, encountering what historical records describe as "very stormy" conditions between the established Anglican community and the new Methodist converts. But despite these difficulties, Phelps demonstrated remarkable perseverance. His dedication bore fruit when, through the generosity of Jonathan Adams, a small guard house on private property was made available for Methodist services. This humble beginning marked a significant milestone—the first Methodist church on Norfolk Island opened its doors on 20th October 1884 and a Sunday School commenced on 2nd November, attracting seventeen children to its first session.

The growth of the Methodist congregation necessitated larger premises, and permission was eventually granted by the Chief Magistrate to utilise the old Military Barracks at Kingston. The community's commitment to their new church was extraordinary—men felled trees and shingled the roof, while the women made profound personal sacrifices, surrendering their jewellery and wedding rings. The men gave up their watches, pipes, and tobacco to help fund the construction.

The Methodist community faced a significant transition when Alfred Phelps died on 29th October 1890 and was laid to rest at Kingston. His widow courageously continued the ministry until 6th February 1891, when she too returned to America, leaving the fledgling church without its founding leadership. This period could have marked the end of Methodist influence on Norfolk Island, but the community's faith proved resilient.

A succession of preachers from New Zealand, working alongside dedicated local laymen, maintained the Methodist tradition from 1891 until 1902.

Perhaps most remarkably, by this time the initial hostility between Anglicans and Methodists had completely transformed. Relations had "greatly improved" and a friendship and harmony began that has endured to this day. This reconciliation speaks to the maturity of both communities and their recognition that their shared Christian faith transcended denominational differences on their small island home.

The Methodist community's growth and stability were demonstrated through an ambitious building project that began in April 1923. On land generously donated by Mrs Byron Adams, work commenced on constructing a new church at Middlegate. This project exemplified the community spirit that had become synonymous on the island—trees were donated by local residents, and all labour was provided voluntarily by community members.

The ongoing steady expansion of church facilities reflected the growing needs and prosperity of the Methodist community. Each addition represented not merely physical growth, but the community's evolving role in island life, from spiritual guidance to practical social services through initiatives like the Opportunity Shop.

Have a listen now to a snippet from an interview by John Anderson captured in 1969;

Brightly Beams," also known as "Let the Lower Lights be Burning," is one of our most beloved traditional Norfolk Island hymns, with deep connections to the whaling era of the 1870s onwards. Written by American composer Philip Bliss in 1871, this hymn carries profound nautical themes centred on the metaphor of lighthouse guidance.

The hymn's significance extends beyond its religious message to encompass practical island life. Philip Hayward's "Bounty Chords" recounts a dramatic late 19th-century incident when a local whale boat was dragged far out to sea by a harpooned whale. As the crew struggled to navigate back to Norfolk Island in darkness, they sang "Let the Lower Lights be Burning" to maintain their spirits and seek divine assistance. Simultaneously, islanders on shore, recognising their peril, lit lanterns to guide them home. Remarkably, the sound of the same hymn being sung on shore drifted across the ocean waves to the struggling whaling crew, creating a profound moment of community solidarity and faith.

Have a listen now to the congregation at the Methodist church singing the hymns; ‘In the Garden’ and ‘Let the Lower  Lights be Burning’..

Travel offers us one of life's most extraordinary gifts: the opportunity to step into an entirely different world, each with its own rhythm, stories, and soul. Yet too often, we find ourselves skimming the surface—ticking off landmarks, snapping photos, posting to social media and moving on without truly connecting with the places we visit. The most enriching journeys happen when we dare to dig deeper, to listen closely, and to open our hearts to the profound stories that every destination has to tell.

Understanding a destination's heritage requires curiosity. It means asking questions like: What challenges has this community faced? How have they adapted and evolved? What do they value most deeply? What stories do they tell their children? The answers to these questions transform tourist attractions into meaningful encounters with human resilience, creativity, and wisdom.

When we approach travel with this deeper mindset, we return home not just with souvenirs and photographs, but with expanded perspectives, new friendships, and a profound appreciation for the beautiful diversity of human experience. 

Thanks so much for joining me this week!