On 5 May 1895, Mr Lau Seng Chong and Dr Benjamin Franklin West came from Singapore to Penang. They rented an old shophouse by the railway station at 29 Gladstone Road and began serving the Lord among the Hokkien community. Despite many difficulties, the work progressed well. These two pioneers served faithfully together until February 1899, when Mr Lau was transferred to Malacca.
(Mr Lau Seng Chong came from China to Penang and initially worked as a printer. Under Dr Shellabear’s guidance, he developed into an able preacher. When Dr West went to Penang in 1895, Mr Lau was ordained as a local church officer and accompanied him.
In 1899, Mr Lau was sent to take charge of the difficult work in Malacca and was ordained as a local elder in 1900. His death in 1902 nearly brought that work to a crisis, as no one was qualified to replace him.) Information from https://www.methodist.org.sg/methodist-message/remembering-our-asiatic-pioneers/
In memory of Gladstone Road, photos taken from Exploring Penang/Exploring Penang@Faceboo
Miss Clara Martin arrived in Penang in December 1897 and began learning Hokkien, soon becoming fluent. Her character and devotion to the Christian faith endeared her to many. With the service of Dr and Mrs West and Miss Martin, the Chinese congregation looked towards a flourishing future.
Miss Clara Martin – picture from https://www.methodist.org.sg/methodist-message/a-red-head-sharing-the-gospel-with-kulim-chinese/
The Epworth League was formed in 1898. By 1900, church membership exceeded one hundred. In 1908, the congregation moved to zinc-roofed premises beside the Anglo-Chinese School alumni association on Penang Road.
Photo taken from https://i0.wp.com/anilnetto.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Old-Penang-Road-junction-with-Chulia-Street.jpg