HISTORY OF FREETOWN UNITED CHURCH As far as available records show there was no church building in or near Freetown in 1860. Cottage prayer meetings were conducted by lay preachers and devoted laymen. By 1862 Edmund Crosby donated the piece of land on which the present church building stands. It is believed that for the next three years work progressed on the structure and in 1865 the Freetown Methodist Church was opened tor services. Records show that two babies were baptized at the opening service ( George Hedley Crosby and Thomas Picton Rogers ). As there were no pews, people sat on planks. The pulpit was a plain desk. In the year 1 875 a tea meeting was held to raise funds for the church inj order to complete the interior. The large sum of $350. was received for the] installation of pews by Major Schurman and also a new pulpit. Ten years later an organ was secured. It wasn't until 1891 that extensive repairs were; made to the roof and the foundation. Modern kerosene lamps gave new] light to the interior. At the re-opening of the church three services were! held when the singing was led by Mrs. S.R. Cairns . In 1903 a choir loft was d necessary addition to the interior. Additions and renovations in 1928 included a new Sunday School room as well as painting and papering the church interior. It was about this] time that electric lights replaced the old kerosene lamps. Major renovations] in 1 942 were covering the wainscotting with B.C . fir and alterations to the! pews. During this year a furnace replaced the worn out stoves. To pay off a note at the bank donations of potatoes were made by the farmers of the congregation. The year 1953 saw the interior of Freetown United Church renovated. Ceilings and walls were resurfaced, linoleum laid on the floors, new pewa installed and additional lights as well. Five years later a new Hallman organi replaced the old reed organ. The purchase of choir gowns in 1960 was made] giving a note of dedication and dignity to the choir. To contribute to the comfort of the congregation pew seats were covered a year after. 1 962 will be remembered in the annals of the church as the year when the old horseshed was transformed into a modern church hall with kitchen facilities and necessary furnishings. It was on Nov. 5th of that year that this necessary annex of the Church was dedicated. Freetown Methodist Church was at first attached to the when the following ministers cared for the flock: Reverends John Prince , S.W. Sprague , Richard Smith , Richard Wedall , T.J. Deinstadt , Paul Prcstwood , R.A. Daniel , John Ellis , John Phinney , Joseph Seller , W.W. Percival , George Harrison , Joseph Pascoe , E.C. Turner , William Harrison , W.J. Kirby , G.C.P. Palmer , F.A. Wightman . 20