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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

The Helping Hand Mission

The Helping Hand Mission, Freeman's Bay. All the work of the Wesleyan Church in the Freeman's Bay district has been of the mission type. It was started in the early sixties, and the services were of a homely character and often very lively. Thus it prospered, and from 1865 to 1868 had a good congregation, and a flourishing Sunday school, class-rooms for the latter being erected by the teachers' own hands. A few years later an attempt was made by the circuit authorities to dispose of the property, and the zeal of those in charge was discouraged. About 1884 a new departure occurred. Messrs W. H. Smith, A. C. Brown, S. Parker, and W. Beaumont then took the lead in establishing the present mission. Other earnest spirits rallying round them, a brass band was organised, and open-air services were held both on Sundays and week days. Not attempting to compete with any existing church, they sought specially to gather in the outcast and wanderer. Eventually they purchased a site, and in November, 1885, the present hall in Drake Street was opened at a cost of £700. Meetings of various kinds are held almost all day on Sunday, and every night in the week. The hall is plain and comfortable; is well filled in the mornings and crowded at night, while the Sunday school in the afternoon is effectively worked. A pipe organ has been presented to the Mission by the family of the late Rev. J. Hobbs. In 1894 the Mission was constituted a circuit, and the Rev. W. A. Sinclair appointed as missioner. Extra class-rooms for Sunday school work have since been fitted up, and the work has been continued with great success.