 Collison returned to Metlakatla in 1879 to take the part of the CMS when it became involved in a controversy with Duncan.After several years of acrimony, in which Duncan sought to establish his mission there as an independent church, out of the control of the CMS, Duncan removed to Annette Island in Alaska with some 850 followers, and set up New Metlakatla.Approximately 400 villagers who had remained faithful to the church, stayed in Metlakatla.