Freetown Methodist Church has experienced several re—organizations since it was founded. In 1893 it was removed from the Bedeque Circuit and placed in the Margate Circuit. At this time no fewer than three Freetown men: David Rogers, Thomas Moyse and David Arbing, supplied pulpits in various churches of the circuit. The biggest re—organization came in 1925, when Freetown Methodists supported union and became part of the United Church of Canada.

The physical structure of the church has also required constant maintenance and renovation. It was in 1891 that the first extensive repairs were made. The building was raised eight inches so an adequate foun- dation could be put in place. The roof was shingled, and the interior papered and painted, all at a cost of $164. In addition to this, a set of modern kerosene lamps was installed.

In 1902, Rev. W.A. Thomson presided over a meeting to raise funds for adding a choir left to the church. In 1903, the contract to build this loft was given to Mr. David Whitehead, who completed the work for $103.17. It is interesting to note that $5.00 was paid for carpet and $2.20 for colored glass.

Between 1895 and 1907 the church records show that the lighting of fires and the lights for the church were carried on separate accounts. From the fall of 1895 to the end of May 1896 a half cord of wood was used. It cost $1.50, lamp oil .886: and Mr. Taylor got $3.00 for lighting and heating the building. By 1904 the wood cost $3.00 and oil 72¢. That year George Matthews got $3.00 for lighting the fires and lamps.

In 1928, another round of additions and renovations occurred. These included a new Sunday School room as well as papering and painting the interior ofthe Church. Around this time electric lights replaced the old kerosene lamps and additional land was purchased from J. Davis Schurman.

In 1937 the entire community united in erecting a horse shed to serve the two churches and Birch Grove Hall. In 1962 this shed was transformed into a modern church hall. The church was redecorated in 1942 and again in 1953. At the reopening services in 1942 new electric light fixtures were given in memory of Mrs. Richard Simmons by her daughters, also a new pulpit was donated by Mrs. Russell Burns in memory of her father Joseph Rogers. During the year a new oil furnace replaced the worn out stoves. The bill for this was paid off by donations ofpotatoes made by the farmers. In 1953 the church interior was refinished, ceil- ing and walls were resurfaced, new pews and lights were installed and there was new linoleum laid on the floors.

In 1958 a new Hallman organ replaced the old reed organ. Three years later the pews were covered and in 1964 a stained glass window was installed in the choir loft in memory of Robert C. Auld and his wife

Margaret.