Scandal at Kibworth Methodist Church
1878
In 1878 a Robert Haymes of Wistow Lane set up ‘The Haymes Trust’ in the sum of £1,800 which was to be invested in the Great Indian Peninsula Railway. The interest to be used to support a Wesleyan Methodist Missionary resident in Kibworth Beauchamp, or for other Methodist purposes mentioned in the Trust Deed.
The first appointed ‘missionary’, William Francis Dart, was a disaster. He committed an indiscretion (to break off an engagement was considered ‘an indiscretion’ in those days) for which he was disciplined. William resented this, and resigned his position. He was said to have taken the ‘whole Methodist Society’ with him and built a Baptist chapel! The ’whole society’ appears to have been an exaggeration, but in 1881 a new Missioner was chosen, who began with just two members but after 13 years had built up a Society of 23.
Almost 150 years later, the Haymes Trust still exists. The Interest is not currently used to pay for a ‘missionary’ resident in Kibworth Beauchamp, but is instead utilised to finance the purchase of Bibles, Books, Christian Comics and Gifts for members of the Kibworth Methodist Pre-School, Kibworth Primary School, and for children resident in the area.
A New Year Message – Rev Andy Murphy
“2025 has been an eventful year. A year that some will want to remember, and others might rather forget. But whether we’ve been working, worshipping, resting, celebrating, laughing, mourning or praying, God has been with us. I pray that the coming year will bring us great hope, new life and energy, and many blessings.”
And finally:
- A different preacher every week at our services this month but the same message – ‘God is Love’.
- Life is like an onion; you peel it off one layer at a time, and sometimes you weep.
- Joy is very infectious; therefore, be always full of joy – Mother Teresa.
Enquiries: Roger Piper Tel:07941643809
For further information visit our website www.kibworthmethodistchurch.org.uk.
