A letter written from England to Mr.Wm.Trueman, Prospect, in 1776, asks if the adherents of the Methodist societies have any place of worship to go to, or do they meet among themselves according to the usual way of the Methodists.The reply would be that they met amongst themselves, as there is no record of a "meeting house" until some years later.
The Methodists of the early Yorkshire emigration at first met quietly at the home of one of their number for their services.In 1779religious interest deepened, and a wide-spread revival began.Meetings were held, followed by encouraging results.Among the new converts was Wm.Black, of Amherst, afterwards Bishop Black.It is recorded that at a quarterly meeting held, in 1780, at Wm.Trueman's, Wm.Black received a great blessing, and although only a young man, he took from that time a prominent part in the meetings of the neighborhood.Three young men, Scurr, Wells, and Fawkender, agreed with Wm.Black to visit in turn, each Sabbath, the settlements of Prospect, Fort Lawrence, and Amherst.
From 1780 until after the first Methodist Conference of the Maritime Provinces, in 1786, Wm.Black had charge of the Cumberland Circuit, which included from Wallace (then Ramshag) to Petitcodiac, taking in Bay Verte and Cape Tormentine.In 1782 the membership of the circuit numbered eighty-two.In 1786 the first Conference was held at Halifax.
Shortly before Conference Mr.Black, with his family, moved to Halifax, leaving in his place, at Cumberland, Mr.Graudin, of New Jersey.Mr.
Graudin was sent back to Cumberland by the Conference.He was assisted by John Black, of Amherst, brother of Wm.Black.In 1787 Mr.Graudin was removed and his place taken by Mr.James Mann.That year land was bought on which to build a chapel, and in 1788 the first Methodist church in Canada was built at Point de Bute.It stood somewhat back from the road in the present cemetery.The house was of stone, with a roof of thatch.The following is the deed of the property on which the house was built: