TIMELINE
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September 1862
The first Albertlanders arrived in Port Albert and Wharehine, including three of the Rev E S Brookes Senior’s sons; Edwin Stanley (Jnr), George Hovey, and Charles Henry (Loll). Sunday services were held at various settlers’ homes.
October 1865
E S Brookes senior and the rest of his family arrived in Takapau Creek from Auckland on the schooner ‘Sylph’. Among his belongings were the framework and stained glass windows for a chapel which had come all the way from England.
George Wilcockson was contracted to build the Chapel with pitsawn timber donated by local settlers.
29th December 1867
Minniesdale Chapel officially opened for Divine Service. There followed three days of celebrations, tea drinking, cricket, meetings, speeches and singing.
9th March 1868
The first wedding – Elizabeth Ann (Bessie) Jerome married to Henry Marsh by The Rev William Gittos.
7th August 1868
The first Highway Boards was elected at a public meeting held in the schoolroom under the chapel.
5th September 1868
Charles Henry Brookes drowned in the Oruawharo River and was the first person buried in Minniesdale Cemetery.
1st November 1868 and first Sunday of the New Year 1869
Sixteen people of the settlement baptised at Shelly Beach, Takapau Creek, below the Chapel.
20th November 1868
Minniesdale Chapel was registered and Rev Brookes appointed Minister.
1872
Doors added to the open Gothic porch.
1873
Harmonium arrived. This instrument with all expenses eg tune books was purchased by subscriptions from Rev Brookes’ Nottingham friends.
1883
Fence of puriri posts and best galvanized wire replaced worn out boundary fence. Mr Wilcockson also built two gates.
1885
Exterior of Chapel painted and windows inside painted.
1888
Chapel passed over to the Baptist Union because of Rev Brookes’ ill health.
1897
A new organ purchased for the Chapel and the roof re-shingled.
22nd May 1899
Rev. Brookes passed away aged 88 years and is buried beside his wife Jemima in Minniesdale cemetery.
July 1900
Spouting and fence repaired.
1902
Due to lack of membership the church ceased to function as a separate denomination and was given to the district by the Baptist Union for the use of all denominations.
1915
Tea and concert held to raise money for repairs. Gatepost, fencing, two sashes, timber, nails lock etc. & 6 days labour were paid for.
1918
Gittos Memorial Church opened for local Methodists who had been using Minniesdale after their hall burned down.
1920s
Roof shingles replaced with corrugated iron.
1927
A ‘Repair Fund’ established with local subscriptions.
1947
80th Anniversary Reunion.
1949
Porch & doors repaired. Exterior painted and interior timbers oiled. Spouting renewed.
1961
Repairs and Maintenance account opened with a large anonymous donation and major repairs and strengthening work done on foundations.
(early) 1963
Centennial of Albertland celebrations.
2000+
Rotten floor joists replaced, building fumigated, interior timbers treated with Coopers Restoration System. Exterior painted. Belfry repaired. Ashes berm created and outdoor seating built including a bench dedicated to Trustees Chairman Mr Tony Hayward Senior who worked tirelessly for many years to ensure the chapel and grounds were kept in good repair.
2011
Composting toilet installed.
2013
Framed prints of Rev. E.S. Brookes & Mrs Brookes hung on chapel wall. Plinths for ashes berm.
2016
Filming in and around the chapel for the movie 'The Patriarch'.
2017
May - Picket fence extended to right hand fence line. Website created.
July - Squabs made for the pews.
December - Huge working bee with help from the community, trustees and the Lions Club of Wellsford ready for the 150th Anniversary Service at the end of the month.
2018
January - The Lions Club of Wellsford have officially taken over the upkeep of the cemetery.
2019
March - New road signs erected each end of Pah Hill Road and top of Shegadeen Road. Contact details at gate updated.
November - Purchased a battery operated hand held vacuum as the Chapel does not have electricity.
2020
February - Purchased a new aisle floor runner from Rugs Direct.
August - A large Puriri tree was tidied up and minimal trimming done to ensure safety of visitors.
December - Tony Hayward enclosed the cupboard under the chapel and set up shelving, lookout seat on road front painted.
2023
January - Chemwash cleaned the chapel, picket fence, concrete berm and outside seating.
March - Master Floor Refinishers serviced the 'Heritage Protected Wooden Floors' in the chapel.
December - a huge Karaka tree came down in heavy winds and the Wellsford Lions Club members stepped in and removed it without serious damage being done to the headstones.
September 1862
The first Albertlanders arrived in Port Albert and Wharehine, including three of the Rev E S Brookes Senior’s sons; Edwin Stanley (Jnr), George Hovey, and Charles Henry (Loll). Sunday services were held at various settlers’ homes.
October 1865
E S Brookes senior and the rest of his family arrived in Takapau Creek from Auckland on the schooner ‘Sylph’. Among his belongings were the framework and stained glass windows for a chapel which had come all the way from England.
George Wilcockson was contracted to build the Chapel with pitsawn timber donated by local settlers.
29th December 1867
Minniesdale Chapel officially opened for Divine Service. There followed three days of celebrations, tea drinking, cricket, meetings, speeches and singing.
9th March 1868
The first wedding – Elizabeth Ann (Bessie) Jerome married to Henry Marsh by The Rev William Gittos.
7th August 1868
The first Highway Boards was elected at a public meeting held in the schoolroom under the chapel.
5th September 1868
Charles Henry Brookes drowned in the Oruawharo River and was the first person buried in Minniesdale Cemetery.
1st November 1868 and first Sunday of the New Year 1869
Sixteen people of the settlement baptised at Shelly Beach, Takapau Creek, below the Chapel.
20th November 1868
Minniesdale Chapel was registered and Rev Brookes appointed Minister.
1872
Doors added to the open Gothic porch.
1873
Harmonium arrived. This instrument with all expenses eg tune books was purchased by subscriptions from Rev Brookes’ Nottingham friends.
1883
Fence of puriri posts and best galvanized wire replaced worn out boundary fence. Mr Wilcockson also built two gates.
1885
Exterior of Chapel painted and windows inside painted.
1888
Chapel passed over to the Baptist Union because of Rev Brookes’ ill health.
1897
A new organ purchased for the Chapel and the roof re-shingled.
22nd May 1899
Rev. Brookes passed away aged 88 years and is buried beside his wife Jemima in Minniesdale cemetery.
July 1900
Spouting and fence repaired.
1902
Due to lack of membership the church ceased to function as a separate denomination and was given to the district by the Baptist Union for the use of all denominations.
1915
Tea and concert held to raise money for repairs. Gatepost, fencing, two sashes, timber, nails lock etc. & 6 days labour were paid for.
1918
Gittos Memorial Church opened for local Methodists who had been using Minniesdale after their hall burned down.
1920s
Roof shingles replaced with corrugated iron.
1927
A ‘Repair Fund’ established with local subscriptions.
1947
80th Anniversary Reunion.
1949
Porch & doors repaired. Exterior painted and interior timbers oiled. Spouting renewed.
1961
Repairs and Maintenance account opened with a large anonymous donation and major repairs and strengthening work done on foundations.
(early) 1963
Centennial of Albertland celebrations.
2000+
Rotten floor joists replaced, building fumigated, interior timbers treated with Coopers Restoration System. Exterior painted. Belfry repaired. Ashes berm created and outdoor seating built including a bench dedicated to Trustees Chairman Mr Tony Hayward Senior who worked tirelessly for many years to ensure the chapel and grounds were kept in good repair.
2011
Composting toilet installed.
2013
Framed prints of Rev. E.S. Brookes & Mrs Brookes hung on chapel wall. Plinths for ashes berm.
2016
Filming in and around the chapel for the movie 'The Patriarch'.
2017
May - Picket fence extended to right hand fence line. Website created.
July - Squabs made for the pews.
December - Huge working bee with help from the community, trustees and the Lions Club of Wellsford ready for the 150th Anniversary Service at the end of the month.
2018
January - The Lions Club of Wellsford have officially taken over the upkeep of the cemetery.
2019
March - New road signs erected each end of Pah Hill Road and top of Shegadeen Road. Contact details at gate updated.
November - Purchased a battery operated hand held vacuum as the Chapel does not have electricity.
2020
February - Purchased a new aisle floor runner from Rugs Direct.
August - A large Puriri tree was tidied up and minimal trimming done to ensure safety of visitors.
December - Tony Hayward enclosed the cupboard under the chapel and set up shelving, lookout seat on road front painted.
2023
January - Chemwash cleaned the chapel, picket fence, concrete berm and outside seating.
March - Master Floor Refinishers serviced the 'Heritage Protected Wooden Floors' in the chapel.
December - a huge Karaka tree came down in heavy winds and the Wellsford Lions Club members stepped in and removed it without serious damage being done to the headstones.