Methodism in Island Bay underwent changes similar to those in other communities throughout New Zealand. There was the rise of churches moving into the suburbs and in 1913 there was the national union of Wesleyans and Primitive Methodists to form the Methodist Church of New Zealand. In 1973, there was a local union of the Island Bay church with the Trinity Methodist Church in Newtown and the Wellington City Church of Christ in Newtown, to form the Wellington South Union Parish. With the fall in church attendances and the rising building costs of earthquake risk upgrading, the doors were closed on the Methodist Church in Island Bay.

Sunday afternoon and evening services commenced in 1900 at Island Bay, although the Church was opened in 1901 on a section (location unknown) donated by Mr Richard Keene, contractor. Ac chis rime the Island Bay congregation was part of the Wellington II Station of the Primitive Methodist Church, which also had churches at 18 Donald McLean Street in Newtown, and in Webb Street and Tawa Flat. Sunday School for children also started in 1900 and within five years this Junior Christian Endeavour was re-organised on a non-denominational basis.

Early in 1907 the Church was relocated half a mile to 284 The Parade and re-opened on 7 July. The Island Bay Hall in Humber Street was used for services during the move. This congregation amalgamated

Island Bay Primitive Methodist Church, 1901-1913 Used with permission of Baptist Church, Island Bay with the Wesley Church in Clyde Street in 1913, to become the Wesley Methodist Church. After the Primitive Methodists left this church building on The Parade, it was used for church services by the Baptists, who purchased it in 1915.

Wesley Church, then Wesley Methodist Church, then Wesley Union Church

The residence of Mr Enoch Tonks saw the first Sunday evening services from 5 May 1907. Sunday School for primaryschool aged children commenced six months later, and reached a peak of 103 on the roll in 1925. Mr Harry Crump, builder, gifted the one acre site on the north-east corner of Clyde and Mersey Streets where a monster garden party and laying of the foundation stone were both held on 15 January 1908. 

This first ferro-concrete church in New Zealand was built in six months by Mr Crump and opened on 19 July 1908. Ten years later the seven-roomed parsonage was erected on the adjoining section, 22 Mersey Street.

Wesley Methodist evening services in Happy Valley, began at the Tea Rooms on Sunday 5 August 1928, moved to Ohiro Bay School [as it was then spelt] in 1929, but were discontinued in 1935 'owing to poor attendances. 'Bible Class for secondary school aged children started in 1911, the Scout Group in 1942 and the Girls' Life Brigade soon after. Church membership reached 103 in 1948. The congregation at this Church in Clyde Street, was at times independent with its own minister. At other times it was linked in turn with other churches in the Wesleyan Wellington Suburban Circuit, the Methodist Wellington South Circuit, East Circuit, South Circuit again, and finally with the Wellington South Union Parish. 

During the 75 years, it was known as Wesley Church, then Wesley Methodist Church, then Wesley Union Church, but always ‘of Island Bay’. Even before the closing service at 155 Clyde Street, on 22 May 1983, the small congregation in Island Bay had amalgamated with Trinity Union Church, in Newtown. The latter's new church building, behind the new Lychgate Shopping Centre in Newtown, opened on the following weekend.

After demolition of the Clyde Street Church and parsonage in 1984, four town houses were erected on the corner site.

Church Demolished

The Island Bay Methodist Church on the corner of Clyde and Mersey Streets was demolished last week to make way for townhouses.

The church's foundation stone was laid at the site in 1908 but long time church member Leonard Holdaway has no regrets about the building's demise.

In fact Mr Holdaway and his wife Rona, will be shifting into one of the four town houses which will be built on the church section.

"When you look at it, a building is just a building, there's no problem," Mr Holdaway says.

"It will cater for what we need ... the church is no longer there whether you like it or not. I'm looking forward to the shift."

Mr Holdaway first attended the church in 1937.

Then after World War Two, he became a regular member and began an involvement with the church which lasted for nearly 40 years.

The site was originally gifted to the Church by a Harry Crump in 1907, he says.

"Building the church cost $1,663 and it was the first ferro cement church in New Zealand."

In 1983 the congregation moved out of the church and went to the newly built Trinity Union church in Newtown.

With them went the pipe organ which dates back to December 1919 and is still in use at the Newtown church.

In recent years, the church has been the venue for scouts and most recently the base for Te Kaahui kohanga reo.