METHODISM in Singapore celebrates its 120th Anniversary this month, February 2005, but how much do you know about our heritage?


When, for example, were the earliest Methodist Churches organised? Who was the first local-born Methodist pastor? What did MPH originally stand for?
The many places and buildings in and around old Singapore convey an interesting and inspiring reminder of the pioneers who planted the seed of the Methodist movement in 1885 and nurtured the work during its critical early days.


To make the celebrations more meaningful, plans are being finalised to conduct initially half-day coach tours that will highlight where the first Methodist services were held and most of the earliest established churches and schools - Wesley Methodist Church, Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church, Tamil Methodist Church, and the original locations of Anglo-Chinese School, Methodist Girls' School and Fairfield Girls' School.


There will be opportunities to visit or stop by some of the institutions associated with Methodist history, such as the Mt Sophia vicinity where much early history took place. Naturally, many of the original buildings have given way to new developments, but have had their heritage preserved as historic monuments.


These tours, run professionally on behalf of The Methodist Church in Singapore by Mr Tan Khey Cheow, himself a member of Changi Methodist Church, are scheduled to start some time in March. They will be very affordable and kept reasonably compact so that crowding will be reduced to offer participants opportunities to interact.


Churches, agencies and schools are encouraged to send their members, staff and students to go on this educational tour.


The tours will be initially conducted in English and Mandarin in separate groups to facilitate interaction, and it is hoped that they will run on a weekly basis on Saturdays, and on a weekday if possible, throughout 2005.


Please keep this in mind when the official launch is advertised in Methodist Message next month. For your convenience, you may book your tour (limited to 30 people) for your own church group, agency staff or school staff and students by contacting Mr Tan Khey Cheow directly at tel: 6334-6939 (office) or 9619-4958 (mobile phone), or email amityint@singnet.com.sg


This would simplify logistics, like picking up and concluding the tour from your premises.


If you have fewer than 30 people, arrangements can be made to group two or more batches from one district, for example, East Coast or Hougang.