From the Dadsons to the Ghana United Methodist Church in the Bronx and other Beloved Brethren in the Diaspora

Introduction

The Roman Catholic Cardinal in Cape Coast, Cardinal Turkson rightly speaks of Christianity in Ghana as “Castle Christianity”. Starting with Elmina, the first Mass was celebrated in the Compounds of the Elmina Castle in 1472. After a long break of Christian Missionary enterprise, Nkwantamisa was sent by the Anglican Church from the Cape Coast castle to Britain; but could not continue the missionary effort. Then the Basel (Presbyterian) missionaries arrived in the Osu Castle, Christiansburg, Accra in 1828. They were followed by the Methodists, led by the Rev. Joseph Dunwell on January 1st 1835. “Castle Christianity” indeed.

Beginning of Methodism in Ghana/Gold Coast Before the arrival of the Rev. Joseph Dunwell in 1835, a group of young men had been meeting for Bible Studies in the Castle. News of the Cape Coast “Meeting” was brought to England by one Captain Potter, a sea captain of the “Congo” a vessel that plied between Bristol and West Africa. Captain Potter told the story of the Cape Coast Castle Bible Study group seeking the way of Salvation. Potter offered to take a missionary in his own ship at no cost to the Society. Captain Potter arrived in England on August 10, 1834. On October 15, Joseph Dunwell arrived in Bristol. He sailed with Captain Potter on October 17, 1834. On January 1, 1835, Rev. Dunwell reached Cape Coast as the first Methodist Missionary.

From 1835 onwards the Gold Coast Church formed part of the British Conference under the Methodist Missionary Society and grew to be a District of the British Conference. In 1960 the British Conference Meeting in Liverpool unanimously concerted to the setting up of a new Methodist Conference in Ghana in July 1961. The Inaugural Conference had the Most Reverend Dr. F. C. F. Grant as the 1st President. The Conference was broken up into 5 Districts: Cape Coast, Accra, Kumasi, Sekondi and Winneba. Today, we have 15 Dioceses/Districts including Koforidua, Sunyani, Akim Oda, Tarkwa, Tamale, Obuasi, Efiduasi/Mampong, Tema, Somanya and Wenchi B/A. Back in history, the “Castle Meeting” was promoted by the Society for the promotion of Christian Knowledge (S.P.C.K). The pioneers of the Study group included George Blankson, Henry Brew, Kobina Mensah, John Sam, John Smith, Insaidu, Aggrey and Sackey with William deGraft as their leader.

When Rev. Joseph Dunwell arrived he started work earnestly and the “Meeting” grew steadily into the nucleus of the Methodist Church in Ghana. Some of the Methodist tradition which Dunwell introduced are: 1. Bible Class Meeting 2. Class Leaders 3. Leaders’ Meeting 4. Quarterly Meetings 5. Membership Cards/Class tickets 6. Local/Lay Preachers 7. Watch-Night Services on December 31st

Joseph Dunwell was short-lived. He died six months after his arrival. January 1st to June 24th 1835. Joseph Dunwell was followed by Rev. George Wrigley, whose wife Harriet founded the Wesley Girls’ High School and Training home in 1836.

The Wrigleys were followed by the Rev. and Mrs. Harrop. Mrs. Harrop died a few weeks after arrival. Mrs. Wrigley also died on February 11, 1837. An hour after Mrs. Wrigley died, Mrs. Harrop also died. Rev. Wrigley’s death followed in November 1837 – a year after his arrival in 1836. The pulpit of the premier Church, Cape Coast Wesley stands on the remains of the 5 early missionaries. After Dunwell, Wrigley, and Harrop came “Osofo Kweku Annan” The Rev. Thomas Birch Freeman who arrived in Cape Coast on Wednesday as the fourth missionary; hence his Fante name “Osofo Kweku Annan”. Freeman, a mulatto with an African father and an English mother seemed to answer to the problem of rapid deaths.

The African blood in him could withstand the Malaria. Freeman arrived with his wife in 1838. Freeman was attacked by malaria and Mrs. Freeman who was nursing him died but Freeman miraculously recovered and served the Church for over 50 years before his death in 1890.

The Methodist Church under Freeman flourished because he built on the foundation already laid by the early 3 missionaries, Dunwell, Wrigley and Harrop. Freeman trained church workers – Catechists and Ministers. Some early Catechists included J. deGraft Hayford, A. W. Parker, R. J. Hayford and Robert Snyper. Some of the early native ministers were William deGraft, John Hagan, Timothy Laing, John Ato Ahoma (who founded the Christ Little Band) Frederick France, John Plange, Edward Fynn, Gaddiel Acquaah (the first African Chairman of the Gold Coast District), A. B. Dickson (father of Prof. K. A. Dickson), Ernest Bruce, B. A. Markin and F. C. F. Grant (who became the first President of the Ghana Methodist Conference).

Under Freeman, the Church spread, and extended to Nigeria in 1842. In 1878, the British Conference approved Synod’s decision for the District to be divided into two, namely, the Gold Coast District with Rev. T. R. Picot as Chairman and Yoruba and Popo (Nigeria) District with the Rev. John Milum as Chairman. The Synod of 1958 in Ghana requested the British Conference to grant the Ghana District full autonomy; and so in 1961 Ghana became a full Conference under the Rev. Dr. F. C. F. Grant as the first President. The Conference of 1999 in Koforidua accepted and adopted the Episcopal System of Church Leadership with tenure of Office.

The Church Spills Over to America

In 1986 a group of friends teamed up and found a Methodist Society/Church in Manhattan, New York. They were led by the Rev. Jacob Sarfo, who trained in the Trinity College in Ghana. He later pursued further studies in Drew University. Only five of the founding members are still actively serving in the Bronx United Methodist Church.

The Rev. Boamah also followed Rev. Sarfo. Shortly he was followed by Rev. Dr. Samuel Ghartey, a veteran United Methodist Church Missionary, who transferred from the Liberia Conference to the Caribbean and Ohio Conferences. The Ghartey’s decided to go home to Ghana in 2001. That was the year I turned 70; having done 41 years in ministerial service of the Word and Sacraments. My name was suggested to Rev. Mrs. Cox, the then District Superintendent of the Metropolitan District and Bishop Ernest Light. After some background search from Yale University Divinity School and Wales University (where I had attended) they agreed with the then Pastor/Staff Parish Relations Committee to invite me for three-year tenure. The tenure was extended last year for one more year.

All has been possible by God’s grace. His grace has spared our lives and health. My wife Patience and I owe a bundle of gratitude to God and thanks to all and sundry. Grace has increased the numerical and financial strength of the Church. From 250 to almost 600 after 4 years. All the organizations – Men’s Fellowship, Women’s Fellowship, the Choir, the Singing Band, Young W/F and Young M/F, the Youth, the Ushers and the Wesley Guild are all committed to the Church. I pray fervently for the Sunday School, the Praises team and the Administrative Council to continue the good work you are doing.

By way of acknowledgements, I must admit that the list will be too long to write to show the support that hundreds of Brothers, Sisters, young and old have contributed to make our 4 year-stay such a success. To God be the glory. I must however, give credence to the Friday-Prayer Group whose prayer support has been so immense. Please give same prayer-support to our successor.

Pa’a Albert Osei-Owusu, we admire your humility, honesty and care for all and sundry. Together with your wife, Mama Mary, a Christian supportive wife, who is ever present to help her husband, please continue playing your Yeoman’s role in the Church. Agya Albert, please read Joshua 13:1 and live by the tenet that though advanced in age, never give up. You may refuse to take any position in the Church, but never refuse to help the members.

To our Administrative Council we say Bravo! ‘Yema hom ayekoo!” The new Chapel is in advance stage. Please work hard to get the building ready for the next “Watch-night” Service on December 31st this year. We shall continue to lift you all to God in prayers. Do remember us also in your prayers. The doors to our home in Ghana shall remain opened to all friends from here.

On behalf of the DADSONS, We remain, Patience Adwoa and Ebenezer Kodwo DADSON To God be the glory!