NEW PRESBYTERIAN MODERATOR

Press, Volume C, Issue 29669, 13 November 1961, Page 7

NEW PRESBYTERIAN MODERATOR

■' ■ 5V '-it' ■ (New Zealand Fran Assaevitton)

DUNEDIN. Nov. 12. The Rev. M. W. Wilson, of Christchurch, was elected Moderator-dejignate of the Presbyterian Church at yesterfiav morning’s session of the General Assembly. Mr Wilson was born on October 5, 1004, at Queenstown. His father, the Rev. James Wilson, came to New Zealand from Scotland in 1902. He served in the nsrishes of Queenstown. Mayfield, Turakina. and Waitaki. He died in August. 1838. The Moderator-designate's mother, also a Scot, is 91. Mr Wilson received his early education at the village schools of Mayfield and Turakira and at Palmerston North H'eh School. He attended Wanganui Technical College. On leaving school he entered the Public Service and for five years worked as a junior clerk in the Department of Health. The influence of his home and of the Very Rev. James Gibb led him to the ministry. He studied at the University of Otago, where he graduated master of arts. He then studied at the Theological Hall. Dunedin, and Westminster College, Cambridge. It was at Cambridge that Mr Wilson met his wife, who was a student at Newnham College. Returning to New Zealand in 1931, Mr Wilson was inducted into the Huntly charge. Two vears later he returned to England to be : married and while there he : accepted a call to the Pres- ■ byferian Church in York. Four years later he returned to New Zealand to : minister at Chalmers street, Timaru. where he served for

13 years. This was broken by a term as a chaplain in the Royal New Zealand Air Force station. Wigram. In 1651 he was called to Knox Church. Christchurch. His official Church appointments have included convenershins of the General Assembly's life and work and ecumenical affairs committees. At present he is chairman of the assembly's board of education. Since 1943 Mr Wilson has been a member of the National Council of Churches executive. Mr Wilson will be elected and inducted as moderator at the 1962 General Assembly.