21. New contacts in the Lai Valley, 1957

1957 Two visitors came to the mission at Unjamap in 1954. They were curious about these strange white people. They saw many signs of change and new things on the mission site. New gardens, large foreign buildings built in ways that were different from the traditional Mendi style.  There were strange animals, voices speaking inContinue reading “21. New contacts in the Lai Valley, 1957”

Highlands Church Anniversaries

1960 to 1990 The Church in the Southern Highlands marked the years since the beginning in 1950. This photo collection shows the anniversary celebrations in 1960 (10 years); 1970 (20 years); 1980 (30 years) and 1990 (40 years). Some of the pioneers came back to join these celebrations. Click on the arrows to go forwardContinue reading “Highlands Church Anniversaries”

Pastors from coastal regions in the Highlands

Pastors from other regions of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands were in the first survey team in 1950. Men and their families have left their home regions in New Guinea Islands, Papuan Islands, Bougainville and Solomon Islands. They contributed to the church in the Highlands with love and sacrifice from the beginning. ThisContinue reading “Pastors from coastal regions in the Highlands”

12. The First Church Building in Mendi.

Mendi, 1953 The people at the new Mission in Mendi were very excited when the first church building was opened. Gordon Young wanted to build a church as soon as he arrived in Mendi, but they had to wait until they had houses to shelter their workers. The new building was opened on 27 SeptemberContinue reading “12. The First Church Building in Mendi.”

05. Setepano Nabwakulea: a Teacher from Papuan Islands District, 1951

Mendi 1951-1953 ‘We are thankful for the strong missionary instincts of the Younger Churches and for the gift of these young workers from the Solomons, Papua and New Guinea.’ Missionary Review 1953 Setepano Nabwakulea was one of the first men from Papuan Islands District to go to work with the new mission in Mendi. HeContinue reading “05. Setepano Nabwakulea: a Teacher from Papuan Islands District, 1951”

04. Memories of Mrs Grace Young, 1951

Mendi 1950-51 While Rev Gordon Young was busy establishing a new mission in Mendi, his wife Grace Young was also preparing to join him. At first, she had to wait while her husband went ahead. Gordon and Grace Young had been working in Namatanai Circuit on New Ireland with the Methodist Church since the endContinue reading “04. Memories of Mrs Grace Young, 1951”

03. Starting a New Mission, 1950

Mendi, November 1950 As soon as Gordon Young heard that the MOM Board had approved their new mission, he was very keen to make a start.  The next time Assistant District Officer Alan Timperley went on a patrol to Mendi from Mount Hagen, Young went with him. In his first letter from Mendi, Young wrote:Continue reading “03. Starting a New Mission, 1950”

01. Pioneers to the Highlands, 1950

What was the dream for a new mission in the Southern Highlands in 1950? In Sydney in 1949 and 1950 the Methodist Overseas Missions Board started to discuss some new work. For a long time, they had been very worried about the terrible war that came to the Pacific between 1942 and 1945. The war,Continue reading “01. Pioneers to the Highlands, 1950”