There is a saying that great progress happens because we stand on the shoulders of giants. This is no different for the Christian Church. While many denominations in Malaysia are relatively young, they are all the fruits and products of remarkable pioneers who committed their lives for God’s Kingdom with prodigious sacrifices.
2025 marks the 140th anniversary of the Methodist Church in Malaysia (MCM) – more than a century of history and a significant milestone in the nation’s religious and social landscape. Since its humble beginnings in 1885, the church has grown into a dynamic movement, impacting lives through education, social service, and spiritual outreach.
As the Methodist Church in Malaysia reflects on this journey, we celebrate along with them the church’s perseverance through challenges, its expansion across the country, and its continued commitment to faith and service. This article explores the history, growth, and contributions of Methodism in Malaysia, culminating in the 140th-anniversary celebration, particularly the grand service held on March 2, 2025, at Dream Centre (DUMC), and the vision for the future.
The Arrival of Methodism in Malaya (1885-1890)
The Methodist Church in Malaysia traces its roots to the missionary efforts of Bishop William F. Oldham and his team, who arrived in Singapore, which was then part of Malaya, in 1885. Less than a month after Rev Oldham arrived in Singapore, Rev Oldham and his probationers established the first Methodist churches and schools, laying the foundation for future growth. The first Methodist church was founded in Coleman Street on 22nd February 1885. On 1st March 1886, the first Methodist Boys’ School was established, and the first Methodist Girls’ School soon followed on 15th August 1887.
The early missionaries faced numerous challenges, including resistance from local communities, financial constraints, and cultural barriers. Despite these difficulties, Methodist schools quickly gained recognition for their quality education, providing opportunities for both locals and migrants. The emphasis on holistic education and social service became hallmarks of the Methodist movement in Malaysia.
Quite early on, education, missions, and evangelism formed a foundation for the Methodist Church in Malaya. In 1888, it founded its first medical mission, and in 1890 it embarked vigorously on publishing as missional calling. Some of the legacy can still be seen and felt up to today, with a large publishing house Methodist Printing House (MPH), still going strong, albeit with a more secular outlook these days. By 1889, the church had its first laymen in mission through the formation of the Epworth League by Rev R. W. Munson. The organisation provided many local pioneers such as Goh Hood Keng, Ho Seng Ong, and Chen Su Lan.
Expansion and Growth (1890-1957)
By 1890, mission work in Singapore had stabilised enough for the Methodist Church to expand and grow northwards. In 1891, Rev Benjamin H. Balderston and Rev Daniel D. Moore was sent to Penang where they opened the Anglo-Chinese School by faith in their rented house at Carnavon Street. At that time they had only one student but by 1893, the numbers had multiplied to 200. This would further grow to 367 in 1895. Open-air services led to the formation of a church in the same year.
From Ipoh in 1895 to Kuala Lumpur in 1897 and further on into Malacca in 1901, the 1890s was a decade of remarkable growth for the Methodist Church of Malaysia. In the early 20th century, Methodism spread beyond urban centers into rural communities such as Sitiawan (1903), and extended into Sabah and Sarawak. Missionaries worked tirelessly to plant churches, build schools, and establish medical services.
Methodist mission schools played a crucial role in shaping Malaysian society, providing education to children of all backgrounds. Institutions such as Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) and Methodist Girls’ School (MGS) became well-respected centers of learning. Additionally, the Methodist medical missions offered healthcare services to underserved communities, reinforcing the church’s commitment to social welfare.
Despite the hardship during the Japanese Occupation in World War II, and the hard work of rebuilding from 1946-1967, the faith of the Methodist Church was steadfast and many church services were kept alive, in fact ushering in a new generation of emerging Asian leaders and pastors in their community. By the time Malaya approached independence in 1957, the Methodist Church had established itself as a key contributor to education and social development.
The Methodist Church in an Independent Malaysia (1957-2000)
As Malaysia gained independence, the church transitioned into a locally-led institution. 1968 was a watershed moment for the Methodist Church on its long road towards autonomy. That year, the various Methodist conferences united under the Methodist Church in Malaysia, strengthening its governance and outreach.
This period saw the growth of congregations in multiple languages – Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese, Tamil, and Iban – reflecting the nation’s multicultural diversity. The Methodist Church continued to serve society through community programs, such as orphanages, disaster relief, and outreach to marginalized groups. Through its schools, social initiatives, and mission work, it remained actively involved in nation-building, reinforcing values of faith, service, and education.
The peak of the Methodist mission in the Malaysian field of education was in 1963. That year, they ran a total of 95 English-medium institutions with 70,000 pupils in Malaysia and Singapore. In Sarawak, it had 25 schools with some 4000 pupils. In addition, it also ran 11 Chinese-medium schools and six Tamil-medium schools with 1779 and 657 students respectively. In 2024, the Malaysian Methodist Church still manages 68 government-aided schools in addition to 12 private institutions comprising 8 Wesley Methodist Schools, two Methodist colleges in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, a vocational school in Sitiawan, and the Pilley Institute in Sibu.
It was inevitable that the Methodist Church would eventually be divided into the Methodist Church in Malaysia (MCM) and Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) with the split of Singapore from Malaysia. Nevertheless, Malaysian Methodism continued to forge ahead with a new identity and renewed mission, while appreciating its rich heritage and legacy left by the visionary pioneers. God faithfully empowered the church and a new generation of local leaders willing to commit their lives to ministry emerged.
Malaysian Methodism in the 21st Century (2000-Present)
In the 21st century, the church faces new challenges and opportunities. The rise of digital technology has transformed evangelism, allowing the church to reach wider audiences through online ministries and social media. Efforts to engage youth and young adults have continued to take center stage, with programs focused on leadership development, discipleship, and mental health awareness.
The last 20 years has seen some of the most remarkable growth in the Methodist Church. From 2005 to 2011, its membership grew from 97,509 to 114,065, slightly above the annual Population Growth Rate for the country (2.8% vs 2.0%). By the end of 2023, membership stood at 138,044 (with an additional 90,418 preparatory members), worshipping in 1142 churches and outreaches. A total of 652 pastors and ministry staff serve in the various churches and outreaches throughout the nation.
Beyond spiritual growth, the Methodist Church has continued its mission in social justice, education, and interfaith dialogue. Initiatives addressing poverty, refugee assistance, and environmental concerns demonstrate the church’s commitment to holistic service. In an era of rapid change, the Methodist Church in Malaysia remains a beacon of faith, hope, and compassion.
The 140th Anniversary Celebration at DUMC
As the Methodist Church of Malaysia commemorated its huge legacy, the highlight of the 140th anniversary was the grand Thanksgiving Celebration Service on March 2, 2025, at Dream Centre (DUMC) in Petaling Jaya. This landmark event brought together over 2400 attendees from Methodist churches across the country, including clergy, lay leaders, and congregants from various linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
A Grand Gathering of Faith and Unity
The service at DUMC was a powerful testimony of unity, with participants from all six Annual Conferences – Chinese, Tamil, Iban, BM, TRAC, and SIAC – coming together in worship. The atmosphere was filled with joyful praise as the congregation sang hymns, reflecting on the church’s journey over 140 years. The multilingual worship and intergenerational participation showcased the diversity and strength of the Methodist Church in Malaysia.
A Choir of Many Voices
The tone for the celebration was set poignantly through an impactful and moving presentation of a combined orchestral and choir performance, featuring more than a hundred voices from different Methodist churches across Malaysia, against a visual backdrop of the significant milestones in the Malaysian Methodist Church’s history.
The choir’s performance of classic hymns filled the auditorium with a powerful sense of reverence, gratitude, and majesty. The harmonious blending of voices symbolized the church’s 140-year journey, where different cultures have come together in worship.
Bishop Jeyakumar’s Sermon: The Role of the Holy Spirit and Sacrificial Service
Bishop Jeyakumar delivered a compelling sermon focusing on two main themes:
The Role of the Holy Spirit – He reminded the congregation that the Methodist movement was never about human effort alone. It was the Holy Spirit that led the missionaries, empowered the church, and continues to guide its future. He called on the church to remain spiritually alert and dependent on God.
Service with Sacrifice – Echoing the dedication of early missionaries, Bishop Jeyakumar challenged today’s Methodists to serve with the same spirit of sacrifice. He urged believers to recommit themselves to the church’s mission, whether through teaching, outreach, social work, or digital evangelism. His message deeply resonated with the audience, many of whom responded in a responsive prayer on their knees, seeking renewal and a fresh commitment to serve.
A Collective Celebration
The 140th anniversary celebration at DUMC on March 2 was a powerful moment of reflection, gratitude, and renewed commitment. Yet, beyond the worship service, the Methodist Church of Malaysia has always been marked by practical acts of service. Leading up to the grand celebration, the Methodist churches have through the years organized:
- Food distribution and medical camps for underserved communities.
- Scholarship fundraising to support education for students in need.
- Inter-church fellowship events, strengthening ties between congregations across different language groups.
These initiatives reflected the church’s ongoing mission to serve the community with love and compassion, a legacy established since its early years. As the Malaysian Methodist Church celebrates its legacy, many other denominations came alongside them to commemorate the occasion as well. The call was clear: the Methodist Church in Malaysia must continue to be a light in the nation, steadfast in faith and bold in service.
A Vision for the Future
The Methodist Church in Malaysia has come a long way – from its pioneering days in 1885 to becoming a vital part of Malaysia’s spiritual and social fabric today. As it moves forward, the church remains committed to its mission of faith, education, and service. The journey is not over; it is a call to every Methodist to live out their faith boldly, serve sacrificially, and embrace the next chapter with hope and purpose, and for every Christian to walk alongside them in this journey.
Some portions of this article was taken from the book Not By Might But By My Spirit: An Introduction to Methodist Pioneers of Malaysia and Singapore (edited by Tai Kim Teng) that was given as a gift to the celebration attendees. Many of the photos were kindly contributed by Elder Steven Fung. More photos can be found on Fb.com/140mcm
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