CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 285, 1 December 1936, Page 13

CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.

ST. ANDREW'S CELEBRATIONS.

A delightfully informal social gathering was held in the parish hall of St. Andrew's Church, Epsom, last evening, to celebrate the ninetieth anniversary of the establishment of the church. Ihe hall was gaily decorated with masses of pink and red rambler roses, hydrangeas, and bowls of Christmas lilies which stood at intervals about the stage and in the trellised arches.

A large number of members of the congregation gathered for the celebiations and were received on arrival by the Rev. F. Willis, vicar of St. Andrew's, and Mrs. Willis. The special guests for the evening were Archbishop and Mrs. Averill and the Rev. P. S. Sniallfield. Archdeacon Mac Murray and Canon E. J. McFarland apologised for their absence.

Tlie ladies' committee responsible for the arrangements comprised: Mesdames I-I. Frost, R. H. Insull, T. M.vnott. W. B. Williamson, L. Stevens, F. Ashley, A. .T. Grove, R. S. Newcomb, E. Morse, A. J. Palmer, and B. de Lange.

The musical programme, contributed by members of the parish, concluded with tlie singing of "Auld Lang Syne," and all lights except the 90 candles on the huge birthday cake were extinguished. Three members of the Rev. P. S. Smallfield's Sunday school congregation of 50 years ago lit the candles. They were blown out by Mr. E. L. McKinstry, and the cake was cut by Mrs. W. H. Grove, two old parishioners.

Those contributing to the programme included: Mrs. Osborne and Airs. McGregor (duets), Miss Joan Savage (accordion solos), Miss Jessie Dix (piano). Miss Madge Taylor, Miss Joan Moody and Mr. Geoffrey Laird (songs). Accompaniments were played by Mrs. A. Gray and Mrs. H. McGregor.

In a brief address Archbishop Averill paid a tribute to the remarkable progress made by tlie church during its 90 years of existence and the inspiration it must have offered to its congregation. An excellent response, he said, had always been made by the St. Andrew's parish, and it was largely due to the loyal support given by the congregation that the Anglican Church was able to make up tlie mission quota each year. He thanked the Rev. Mr; Willis for his warm welcome.

Many reminiscences of tlie church as it was 50 years ago were given by tlie Rev. Sniallfield, tlie vicar at that time. The church, he said, stood not among houses, but in wide fields, and the congregation, a loyal group of members, drove or rode or walked from long distances to attend services. The Sunday school children, too, spent the whole year looking forward to the annual treat. He concluded by congratulating the members of the congregation on the splendid efforts they had made to further the cause of the church.