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Initially,
the church was served by a Home Missionary, and it was not until
1882 that the first minister was appointed, Rev'd J Charles
Trafford.
Despite many
setbacks, the congregation was determined to build a large new
church to serve the growing community of Putney. With great faith
and the aid of generous grants, the new building was officially
opened on 4 May, 1882. Despite the fact that the society at that
time only had a membership of about 67, the new church had seats
for over a thousand, downstairs and in the gallery. It was widely
admired at the time, and ever since, for its lofty tower and
handsome Victorian Gothic features. It is now a Grade II listed
building. The church developed its activities, numbers and
buildings over the years, adding a schoolroom in 1896.
The
congregation at Putney Methodist Church grew in the subsequent
years. An organ was installed in 1887, class meetings (for the
study of the Bible and mutual encouragement) were established,
and the church took part in numerous philanthropic endeavours,
including the employment of a nurse to serve the poorer parts of
Wandsworth. The church was involved in one minor cause célèbre
in 1885, when the minister, Rev'd George Dyson, became involved
with a married woman, Mrs Adelaide Bartlett. Her husband was
mysteriously found dead in what became known as the 'Pimlico
Poisoning Mystery' and foul play was suspected, although murder
was never proved.
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