The building also had classrooms for lectures and there were only a few students. The courses were conducted in English, Chinese and Iban. After graduation the students became pastors and served in various parts of rural Sarawak especially. Those were the early days of Chinese and Iban Methodist Church history. A few of the graduates were able to further their studies in the USA and UK and they returned with BA or MA in Divinity or other Theological Studies.
Other theological school students also went to Singapore to further their studies.
Most of the lecturers were Missionaries (until 1987), Chinese and Iban pastors with experiences.
On Sundays the Wesley Church conducted its evening service at the Chapel at 5 pm and I enjoyed singing in the choir. One of the reasons why I enjoyed singing in the choir here was because the choir members sat at the back of the chapel. I did not like to face the congregation when I sang.
Three conductors were remarkable during my time, Mrs. Charlotte Hipkins, Mrs. Catherine Chew Ing Seng and Miss Jackie Fries. One of our favourite choir hymn was "How Great Thou Art". The hymn still evokes a great deal of memories for me.
The Sunday School helped us improve our English in particular. And the Sunday Service also helped us grow in our Christian belief.
A few of my own classmates and school mates developed themselves and became pastors like Sie Nguong Siong and Wong Sing Mee. May be a few others did I am not aware of their career as I left Sibu in 1987 and lost touch with many of them.
After about 60 or 70 years wooden buildings give way to concrete high rise buildings. Let not our memories of the past fade.....
A poem by Emily Dickinson
If Recollecting Were Forgetting
Then I remember not.
And if forgetting, recollecting,
How near I had forgot.
And if to miss, were merry,
And to mourn, were gay,
How very blithe the fingers
That gathered this, Today!
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