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Although the beginnings of Methodism in Pickering Village are somewhat obscure, Egerton Ryerson writing in his diary in 1825 says:-- "That his Circuit embraced the Townships of York, Vaughan, King, West Gwillimbury, whitchurch, Markham, Pickering and Scarborough and no doubt there was a Methodist Class at Duffins Creek (Pickering Village) at this time. By the early 1840's a small white frame Wesleyan Methodist Church had been built on Elizabeth Street. Methodism continued to grow in the Village, records showing; that by 1877 there were almost 100 Members, so that the little church was becoming too small for the rapidly increasing member-ship coupled with the fact that the building needed extensive repairs. In a venture of faith for so small a congregation they decided to build, a new and more commodious church on King Street (Kingston Road W.). It was of red brick with white facings and was the largest Protestant church in the Village. The new church was dedicated to the Glory of God in 1879. Disaster by fire, almost destroyed the two-year old church in October, 1881. For some unex-plained reason the center chandelier of six lighted coal oil lamps fell and ignited the pews as well as burning through the flooring. Fortunately it was discovered in time and with the help of a bucket brigade the fire was extinguished.