In 1884, Methodist churches formed a union, and at that time a new circuit was created, Credit Circuit, comprising Carman and Springfield-on-the Credit (now Erindale) as formed. Records from the time indicate there were 80 members at Carman. Circuits were subsequently realigned and a new circuit Cooksville Circuit, was formed including Carman, Port Credit, Bethesda, Cooksville, Springfield and Sheridan churches. These churches shared one minister who circulated among the churches conducting services (hence the name “Circuit”). Records from 1892 indicate the Circuit has a budget of $1,143.50, with the minister paid about $1,000 per year.
Some time in the period 1914-1918, Carman Methodist Church in Clarkson became a self-sustaining charge and no longer part of the Cooksville Circuit, with its own minister and financial responsibility for running and maintaining the church building. “The year 1917 marked a turning point in the life of Carman Methodist. There was dissatisfaction with the way the Cooksville Circuit was being operated and [it]was decided the circuit should be divided. At first it was suggested that Sheridan and Carman join together as a separate circuit, but meetings with the two parties only produced a stalemate. Finally, the proposition was put forward that Carman should withdraw from the circuit and petition Conference for recognition as a charge of its own.”
Source: Our Heritage, Holling