METHODIST CHURCH AT LYTTELTON

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27208, 27 November 1953, Page 9

METHODIST CHURCH AT LYTTELTON

CELEBRATION OF CENTENARY The Lyttelton Methodist Church is celebrating its centenary this week. On Wednesday night the church was filled to capacity to hear a choral concert given by the Durham Street Methodist Choir. Tomorrow afternoon a picnic will Vbe held at Rapaki and a centennial social will be held in the church hall in the evening. The morning service on Sunday will be conducted by the Rev. Wesley Chambers. The Mayor of Lyttelton (Mr F. G. Briggs) and councillors will attend the evening service which will be conducted by the Rev. H. L. Fiebig. The first church, which was opened on March 5, 1855, was built of totara timber from Akaroa at a total cost of £334 2s sd. ' The building, which measures 30ft by 20ft, is still standing in St. David street. The building proved too small for the rapidly growing congregation and less than six years after the opening of the first church, the foundation of a new building was laid in . Norwich quay. This church was opened on September 1. 1861. It cost £1770 and was opened free of debt, largely due to contributions from Messrs Buchanan, Peacock, Rhodes, and Turner. The structure was removed to its present site in Winchester street in 1866. It has now been condemned as unsafe for public gatherings and plans have been drawn up for a new building. The Methodist ministry in Lyttelton began when Mr J. W. Philpott, on the evening of his arrival in the “Cressy” held a service of family worship in a corner of the immigration barracks. Later services were held in Mr Philpott’s whare in Gollans Bay, in a carpenter’s shop in Norwich quay, and in a Mr Tucker’s cottage. A Mr Lawry, a Presbyterian, later lent a store which was used for services and then a move was made to Sumner, road where a two-roomed cottage, again lent by Mr Lawry, was used for a time. The site in St. David street was then bought and the church built.