Interview with Jean Taylor

Jean Taylor was born in Upper Hutt in 1938. Describes the Upper Hutt church, now the Wesley Centre. Mentions that it was transported in two parts from Whiteman's Valley to its current site. Refers to the road over Mangaroa Hill used for logging purposes, the route of the railway line, McLaren Street houses which were part of the timber milling project, the development of sections in that area. Mentions delivering Crosslink magazine and the monthly church paper. Explains what the transition to a co-operating parish was like, names the Presbyterian worship centres of St. Andrew's, Iona, Brown Owl. Recalls her Methodist Church social life, mentioning Sunday School, crafts, youth group, all run by Mr. Heyhoe, also Bible Classes and camps. Recalls Sunday School at the Druid's hall with its' beer smell. Names Otaki City Mission camp, children's health camps, Salvation Army Camp in Akatarawa, Solway at Masterton. Explains her father's refusal to allow her to work at Methodist's Children's Home in Masterton. Relates working at the Reserve Bank until after her marriage and rest homes once her children had grown up. Mentions the influence of Phyllis Keen, nee Hounsell in setting up the Girls' Brigade with Ann Thomas, nee Wright. Recalls the Girls' Brigade guard of honour at her wedding, being chaplain for a year during Kay Malpass' leadership. Talks of her enjoyment of home group, the development of her faith and confidence. Explains about her mother's loss of a baby. Relates about a Wesley Centre builder, Jack Lloyd, his faith experience when a sailor, reaction to his Bible reading. Describes her faith experiences, Christian Fellowship and Women's Aglow meetings, Order of St. Luke, Robert Frost, speaking in tongues. Discusses resurrection and cremation, 'seeing' her minister, Stan Olds, in the last moments of his life, enter another dimension. Explains about the establishment of Care and Craft nationwide and her work as a volunteer, mentions a stroke patient. Describes the indoor game of Rummi Cub or Kub. Relates difficulties with the Privacy Act, mentions District Nurses. Talks of homosexuality in the church. Relates community attitudes to the church and church people, and her family's church membership. Talks of attitudes to ministers, mentions Norman Knipe, Graeme McIver and Stan Olds..

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHA-9301, OHA-9302

Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s) - printed. 1 Electronic document(s) - transcript. 1 interview(s). 1.20 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-3009, OHDL-000964.

Portrait photograph taken at time of interview. China birds on mantelpiece

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.

Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLC-004794 - OHLC-004795

Both printed and digital versions of the transcript are available