The Free Methodist Denomination was founded on the eve of the American Civil War on August 23, 1860 near Buffalo, New York. The main leaders were Rev. B.T. Roberts of New York State, and Dr. John Wesley Redfield of Illinois. The movement quickly spread into Canada, Latin America, and other countries around the world.

Records on hand seem to point to the Free Methodist Church in Ryde Township as being sponsored by folks from Severn Bridge around 1882-83. Rev. D.D. Marston was pastor of the Severn Bridge Free Methodist Church. He held meetings at "Bush's School." Later meetings were held in the Barkway School House, and also in Mr. Ira Davey's home.

In 1882, two ladies, Mrs. Andrew (Hoffman) Boyd, and Mrs. Warren Coleman held the first Free Methodist meetings in Housey's Rapids at "Brook's School" (presently Muskoka #6 and Walker Road). About this time and for some years later, meetings were held over the General Store at Housey's Rapids, then owned by P.H. Brace.

1891 saw Rev. Reed invite Mr. David Allan to conduct services in the Brook's School at Housey's Rapids. The first convert was a man, who, though unable to read himself, went from house to house to visit in Housey's Rapids. He would invite the host to read a portion of the Bible and then he would follow with a prayer. Records show that the result of this man's efforts was a revival resulting in forty more converts.

The Housey's Rapids Free Methodist Church was built in the summer of 1892. Rev. Robert Hamilton was the pastor at Ryde.

The parsonage at Housey's Rapids was built in the year 1900. Rev. Emerson Snider was the pastor and carpenter. The church officials decided that if the pastor could do the carpentry work, and his wife would collect the necessary funds, they would co-operate with their teams of horses. The lot had to be cleared of logs and stumps, the cellar dug, and the lumber brought from Bracebridge. Rev. Snider moved in to the new, partially completed parsonage one week before Christmas. To help complete the inside work, Mrs. Snider did the fitting and nailing. Rev. Snider nailed the siding on the outside of the house during the month of January, 1901.

In 1977 it was necessary to build a completely new parsonage and church complex to keep up to the needs of the community. The present building sits diagonally across the road from the original one. Attractive and brightly lit, it comfortably seats about 140 people. Sunday school rooms accomodate children, teens, and adults. A couple of years after being built, a new name for the congregation and church was chosen: The Ryde Centennial Free Methodist Church. This was in honour of the centennial year of Ryde Township, where the building is located.

On Nov. 2, 1998, the community of Housey's Rapids saw their antique school bell, which used to call the children to the Sunny Brae School in Housey's Rapids (1902 - 1962), hoisted into its new position and made ready to ring once again. The 135 pound bell was previously the fire bell for cottagers on Kashe Lake, but was no longer being used for that purpose. It now rings out loud, sweet, and true at 10:55 Sunday mornings to call area residents to worship. It also rings in the New Year.

The Circuit of Housey's Rapids, Cooper's Falls, Severn Bridge, and Barkway has produced at least the following Christian workers and/or ministers: David Allan, Mable Robinson, Charles Dierks and his wife (nee Elizabeth Ruttan), R.E. Goheen, Mable (nee Denne) Lyons, Gladys (nee Denne) Campbell, Sterling Cooper, Norm Shepstone and his wife Carol (nee Break), Jim Sanderson, Jr., Linda Valentin (nee Cooper), and Linda Valentin's husband, J. Angel Valentin, who became a member of Conference through this church. We believe more full-time Christian workers are yet to come from this Circuit.