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TMC Penang 125th Quasquicentennial Anniversary Celebration Commemorative Book
TMC PENANG : METHODIST WOMEN
A GLIMPSE INTO THE PAST

Bishop William F. Oldham was the pioneer missionary who started the Methodist Mission work
in Malaya in 1885. He was accompanied by his devoted wife, Marie A. Mulligan. They were stationed
in Singapore and as the ministry grew, the vision to spread the Gospel to other places in Malaya also
grew. Penang was selected and it became one of the early centres of Methodism.

On May 28th 1891, Mr. Balderstone opened a school in Carnarvan Street. Two years later, on
6th May 1893, the church work was organized by Rev. D.D. Moore and an Anglo-Tamil School was
opened in Dato Kramat Road. Mr. Simon Peter was the rst teacher and Tamil preacher. He and Mr.
Gnanamuthu formed the rst congregation in 1894. In 1896, the Tamil Church with 45 members was
moved from Northam Road to Dato Kramat. Rev. and Mrs G.F. Pykett were the strongest supporters of
the Tamil work in Penang.

During these early years, women missionaries from the Foreign Missionary Society and wives
of missionaries and local pastors who were also foreigners worked amongst the women and gave
leadership. Women’s groups known as the “Ladies Aid Society” were organised in most Tamil church-
es in the 1930s and a society was formed in Penang too. With the example and encouragement of
Rev. and Mrs. Amelia Pykett , the layman and members of the ‘Ladies Aid Society’ of the church began
to take a greater interest and played a more active part in the church work.

In 1940, the ‘Ladies Aid Society’ became known as ‘Women’s Society of Christian Service’
(WSCS). Work among the women grew and they began to play an active role in the growth of the
church. In 1957, the WSCS with its untiring e ort was responsible for raising more than half the sum
of the total expenditure of $3,200 for the repairs of TMC Penang. There was a great desire among the
women to come together for their spiritual growth and to serve God. During this period the women
were involved in Ladies Bible Study groups, sewing classes, handicraft lessons, hospital and home
visitations, coming together in prayer and many other activities. The focus was also on teaching
women to be good mothers and wives so that they could impact their families, church and society.

After the formation of the TPAC in 1968 and TAC in 1976 there was an increased empowerment
of women. They began to share the gospel and were bold enough to teach and preach. Two of our
women, Miss Grace Paul (1973-1990) and Mrs. Pushpam Gurusamy (2006-2009) committed them-
selves as workers actively involved in evangelism. Many women leaders were also groomed and
emerged during this era. They gave signi cant leadership and contributed much to the growth of the
WSCS which was renamed “Methodist Women”(MW) in 1996.The women continued to be actively
involved in Bible Studies, worship, cottage prayer meetings, cell groups, tracting, hospital visitations,
health talks, Bible quizzes, memorizing scripture and gospel sharing. Today, by the grace of God the
MW torch continues to burn bright.

As we re ect on the 125 years of women’s work in TMC Penang, we recognise that there are
many women who have prayed, sacri ced and laboured for the Lord. Many have gone home to be
with the Lord, several of them are enjoying their restful golden years while others are moving on in
active service for the Lord. We indeed appreciate and honour each one of them for their immeasura-
ble contributions.

Praise be to God for this opportunity to embrace His calling to be the salt of the earth and a
light to the world, for the glory of Christ and His kingdom. May the Methodist Women of TMC Penang
continue to ful l God’s divine purpose as we move into the next 125 years.

Compiled by Miss. Seetha Devi and Mrs. Sheila Young
Edited by Mrs. Vijayatara Jayaraj

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