Ian went to Anglican church until age of 19 when friends started a young adults group at Methodist Church.

They met in people’s homes.

Five or six churches joined to become Trinity Church on Cuba Street and St Pauls on Broadway.

Trinity Church was an earthquake risk so joined with St Pauls to become Wesley Broadway.

Ian was a schoolteacher, a public servant in the housing corporation for 17 years, owned a comic shop then became a Methodist lay preacher.

He became a minister in Blenheim, Levin and became a full-time minister for the Manawatu Rangitikei parish at age of 58.

Achieved a Diploma in Practical Theology. Wrote about the social services in Whanganui.

Methodist Church has been very active with social services in Palmerston North.

The Methodist Church building became an earthquake risk and was closed.

St Pauls was demolished in 2020 and used Terracehaven funeral directors chapel and lounge.

Generally church congregations have been shrinking since 1950/60s but the Methodist Church has grown because of Pacifica.

New property is shared with Pacifica and in 2025 there will be a joint ministry.

Young people not going to church so much these days although the Tonga church is doing better.