ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 114, 11 November 1919, Page 9

ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH

SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY.

The seventy-fifth anniversary of St. Andrew's Clvurch was celebrated last evening by a large gathering in St. Andrew's Hall. Old and young foregathered after the fashion of the early days to do justice to a tea prepared by the ladies of the congregation. After this event a good programme of music, with speeches from various ministers, was enjoyed. The Rev S Robertson Orr presided, and interested the .audience with sketches of the ctmrch's early history The first Presbyterian service held in New Zealand was conducted by the first minister of St. Andrew's Church, the Rev John M'Farlane, who landed at Petone with a party of immigrants in February,, 1840. Petone proved an unsuitable site on which to build a great city, and the colonists moved up to the head of the bay, and began the city of Wellington. In those days the housing question was just as acute as it is to-day, if not more so Many had to live in tents. Some had provided themselves with little wooden houses, but everyone had , to make the best of the conditions. A building had been erected in Customhousestreet, and the first services were held there in the Exchange. The first congregation was composed of men belonging to many denominations, and gathered from many nations. Mr. M'Farlane went Home in 1844. For six years there was an interregnum, until the Eev Mr. Kirton arrived in 1850 Tho first building was erected in Lambton-quay in January, 1844, the year that Mr. M'Farlane left for Scotland. During Mr. Kirton'a ministry a second congregation was formed, which adopted the name of St. John's, and grew into the present largo congregation. The church was rebuilt in 1864, but was not destined to remain much longer in Lambton-quay. It was situated in one of the best business localities in the city, and was sold in 1878 for £10,000 to the Colonial Bank. This money was used to erect the present building, and left quite a large sum over. The Rev C. S. O"g commenced his ministry in 1876, and the new church was opened in his time, in 1879. Other interesting sketches were given of the congregation's history and experience. The speaker said that some people thought the good days were in the past, but. so far as church work was concerned,- we were now hi the best days. St. Andrew's at least could say, that never before in its history was it so well off financially, or had it so large a membership. The income now was four times what it was in those days, and the congregation had increased in membership from 70 to nearly 400 The church had a magnificent opportunity, and they could go forward with great hope and renewed vigour. ■ The Eev J H. Mackenzie, Moderator of Presbytery, spoke of the many changes that had taken place in the life of the church, in pew and pulpit, and to the large increase in the number of its workers.

The Rev J R. Glasson brought thegreetings of the Congregational Union and the Terrace Congregational Church. He referred to the proximity of St. Andrew's to his own church, and hoped that soon the two churches would be nearer still. Though tho larger union of churches was distant, the . smaller union should be possible. He hoped the two congregations would co-operate with a view to union.'

The Rev. M'Ara and Mr. W J Gaudin also spoke of the early days of the* church. J