POWNAL CHURCH The history of Pownal Church dates far back in the beginning of Methodism in Prince Edward Island . Early records note that Thomas Dawson , a local preacher, settled at the Head of Hillsborough in 1801. He held frequent services in Charlottetown and the outlying districts, one of which is referred to as Lot 49, or the Pownal vicinity as we know it today. Tradition says that the first sermon preached in this area was in a barn at Alexandra. Cottage services continued until 1812, when "an acre of property was purchased from a local farmer, Frederick Praught , for the sum of twenty pounds lawful money." The agreement of sale stipulates that "the meeting house is to be constructed on said property in the centre thereof." Services in the early days were irregular, as it appears Pownal was part of the Charlottetown circuit, but in 1846, Pownal became a separate circuit of the Methodist Church. The congregation grew in numbers until all the pews were filled, including a gallery at the back of the church, so the building of a larger chapel was undertaken. This new church was called Methodist and was opened for worship on Christmas Day , 1870. It is reported that the church had a verandah on three sides providing excellent hitching-posts for early arriving worshippers. It is interesting to note that "pew rents" are