METHODISM AT LINWOOD

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27988, 7 June 1956, Page 11

METHODISM AT LINWOOD

DIAMOND JUBILEE OF CHURCH

The diamond jubilee celebrations of the Linwood Methodist Church will begin on the evening of June 9 with a banquet in the Sunday School Hall. More than 250 persons are expected to attend thjs function, and later the same evening a - social reunion will be held.

A former minister of the church, the Rev. J. C. Draper, of Auckland, will conduct the morning service on Sunday. June 10, and the evening service will be conducted by the present minister. the Rev. J. C. A. Williams. On Monday, a Ladies’ Guild reunion will be held in the afternoon. In the evening there will be the. grand jubilee social.

The anniversary celebrations Will be concluded with a church service on Sunday evening, June 17, when all men and women who were married in the church are invited to attend.

The history of the church begins in the year 1894, when Linwood was a comparatively small suburb. A Mrs Marcroft began a Sunday school for children in her home in Olliviers road ,and later gave the corner section to the church on which the present brick building now stands. The first building for public worship was erected in July of 1896 for £143 15s. The building has been enlarged seven times and is now the youth block, where extensive work among young persons is being carried out.

A fund for the new church was started soon after World War I, but the church was not opened until 1932. The cost of this building was £2391 2s 2d.

The Linwood Methodist Church has been served by many devoted families during its establishment, and the present generation is conscious of a great heritage. Preparations for the jubilee have shown that former members of the congregation are living in many parts of the world.