SIXTY YEARS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 19, 4 November 1935, Page 6

SIXTY YEARS

BARING SQUARE CHURCH.

COMMEMORATIVE SERVICES,

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL FESTIVAL.

Sixty years ago the Methodist Church, was established in Ashburton the diamond jubilee of its foundation is beihg celebrated at the Baring Square Methodist Church this week. The Ashburton Methodist cause dates back to 1874, but it was not until 1885 that church work became firmly' established. When the present Baring Square Church was opened in April 18, 1925, the golden jubilee of the church was celebrated and this date is usually taken as the anniversary of Methodism. A history of the growth of the church in the last 60 years was published in the “Guardian” on April 17 this year. The celebrations commenced yesterday with the annual Sunday school festival, when congregations were particularly large at each of the three .special services. The feature of the festival was the singing of the children, who, assisted by members of the choir, rendered appropriate hymns, under the conductorship of Mr R. Watts. Fine part-singing by 150 voices was very favourably commented upon by those who attended the services. An orchestra played the accompaniments, and Miss O. L. Watts was pianist. “On Living Life” was the subject of the Rev. B. P. Blamires (Youth Director of the Methodist Church and president-tallejet df the Ntew Zealand conference), who was the preacher in the morning. In the afternoon the Rev. G. B. Hinton spoke on the building of character, and the Rev. Mr Blamires’ subject in the evening was the transformation of the world. The lessons were read by Master Ray Ede, Miss Dorothy Buxton and Mr B. Cretney, and members of the Men’s Bible classes acted as stewards for the day. Two hymns, sung by the children of the infant department at the evening service, were greatly enjoyed. The Sunday ,School festival will conclude with a concert in the schoolroom this evening. Celebrations of the jubilee will continue throughout the week, with a Bible class reunion to-morrow evening, a banquet on Wednesday, a musical programme by the choir on Thursday, a fellowship meeting on Friday, a garden-party on Saturday afternoon, and thanksgiving services and a Bible class rally next Sunday.