NEW CHURCH OPENED

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30391, 16 March 1964, Page 12

NEW CHURCH OPENED

Dutch Nucleus, English Service

Although it appeared important at this time to provide one’s own church buildings, it was hoped that one day all Christians would be one and worship in the same church, the minister of the Reformed Church of Christchurch, the Rev. P. van de Schaaf, said at the opening of the Reformed Church in Cornwall street, St. Albans, on Saturday afternoon.

The Reformed Church was often mistakenly referred to as the Dutch Reformed Church, said Mr van de Schaaf. “Our design is to be a New Zealand Church. The service is in English.” The church had started in Christchurch largely through Dutch immigrants, but there were now several nationalities represented in the membership of 370, said Mr van de Schaaf. The chairman of the building committee (Mr A. Verkerk) officially handed the church over to Mr van de Schaaf. Speakers at the opening included Mr H. J. Walker, member of Parliament for St. Albans, the Rev. F. Cooper, a past minister of the church who is now stationed in Auckland, the Rev. P. Pellicaan, of the Reformed Church of Dunedin, Mr A. Nugteren, representing the church extension committee, and the Rev. B. A. Bonders, minister at the Presbyterian church at Sumner.