SYDENHAM PRESEBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14055, 29 May 1911, Page 8

SYDENHAM PRESEBYTERIAN CHURCH.

THE OPENING CEREMONY,

The new Presbyterian Church at Sydenham was opened yesterday under j most; auspicious conditions. There were large congregations at tbe morning and evening services, and the spontaneously enthusiastic feeling among the congregation should be a happy augury for its future as a moral and spiritual force in Sydenham. The new building is really a church hall, with several smaller attachments, the intention of the congregation being to ultimately erect a church on the front of the site. The approximate dimensions of the main hall are 85ft by 35ft, and there is seating accommodation for three hundred people. Attached is a smaller social hall, which will seat ono hundred people. There are also two small rooms, which may be used as vestries or class rooms, and a small kitchen. Tho building will no doubt provide for the immediate requirements of the congregation. The manse is on the left side of the church, a residence having been acquired for that puropse. The preacher for the day was the Rev. W. Gray Dixon, M.A., of Roslyn, Dunedin. Mr Gray Dixon is one of the leaders of the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand, and his eloquent and stirring sermons were most thoroughly appreciated. His message in the morning was one of encouragement to the congregation.'' The preacher made a more detailed reference to the new church in tho "evening. Ho expressed his gratitude to God tor providing so finely situated and so attractive a cite. Tlio minister and members of the church were better placed for operating in their district when they were a little further : away from the centre of the city than thoy wero in their old home. He trusted that every member of the church would regard it as his duty and privilege to make a spiritual impression on the parish. The congregation, in erecting the new building, seemed to have made the best possible compromise. They might have made a nii'stake in erecting a handsome church, which, though doubtless worthy of their district, worthy of their j ancient Church, thc original church of i the Reformation, and the largest Piotestant church of/ the world (the Re-1 formed Church) —mieht havo tied a millstone of debt round their necks. On tho other hand, '. they had put up a building which was beautiful in its architecture, and was really a more presentable church than some of the flourishing congregations of Australasia had put up at the outset of their careers. Perhaps beforo many years had passed they would have a really handsome church, but they had not the slightest reason to be ashamed of their new home. It was such an excellent church hall as to be a very presentable and dignified church. Special musical numbers were given at tho services, the choir having the assistance of several soloists, and a number of instrumentalists. An address was civen to Sunday School children and friends during the afternoon hy Mr J. Caughley, M.A.