METHODIST CHURCH ANNIVERSARIES

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27048, 25 May 1953, Page 2

METHODIST CHURCH ANNIVERSARIES

PAPANUI AND CAMBRIDGE TERRACE A marked return to the Christian faith in recent years had come from three directions—from intellectual groups, from a new mood of aggression in the church, and from the ecumenical movement, said the Rev. W. T. Blight in his address at the ninetyninth anniversary service of the Papanui Methodist Church yesterday morning. “We must take our part as a church in this mood of aggression and be a friendly, evangelistic, and praying church.” he said. Mr Blight outlined the history of the Papanui Methodist Church. The first service at Papanui was held in October, 1851, but it was not until 1854 that the first organised service was held in a barn. The first Methodist church in Papanui, which cost £9O to build, became the first day school in Canterbury, he said. The present church was completed in 1919 at a cost of £l9OO, but at present-day prices it would cost about £15,000 to build. The Cambridge Terrace Methodist Church observed its eightieth anniversary yesterday, and at the evening service the minister, the Rev. A. M. Costain. spoke on the spirit of friendship in the church. The morning service was conducted by a former minister of the church, the Rev. A. O. Harris, and during the afternoon members of the Rangiora Methodist Junior Choir gave a special service of music.