SIXTY YEARS A CHURCH.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 78, 1 April 1922, Page 11

SIXTY YEARS A CHURCH.

■ST JAMES' DIAMOND JITBH.EE. CELEBRATK >NS TO-MORROW. St. James" Presbyterian Church will celebrate its diamond jubilee to-morrow with services at eleven a.m., three p.m., and seven p.m. Although the motion forming St. James' charge was passed in January, 1862, Presbyterian services were begun in Hobson Street in 1800 by the Rev. George Brown, who arrived from Aberdeen in that year. Mr. Brown, who is 02 years of age, is still hale and I hearty, and he will take part in the morning service to-morrow. He is the' only ono left of the veterans sent out j by the Presbyterian Churches in the I year 1860, the others being the Rev. John Maeky, Papatoetoe, the Rev. Norrie, of Papakura, and the Rev. McKinney, of Warkworth. In the early days Mr. Brown used to conduct services at Avondale, Onehunga and Hobson Street, walking from one church to the other. At one time he used to take services at Takapuna and the Wade. There was only one ferry a day to the North Shore in those days—it ran to Stokes' Point, now called Northeote. At the Wade Mr. Brown upsed to stay with Mr. Kelly, a characteristic Irishman, about whom there are dozens of stories that still have the power of raising roars of laughter. At to-morrow's services at St. James' the Rev. S. Robertson Orr, of St. Andrew's, Wellington, will preach. Interesting services have been arranged, including special music.