SURVEY BY CHURCHES

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30575, 19 October 1964, Page 12

SURVEY BY CHURCHES

10,300 Houses Visited

About 275 helpers visited 10,300 houses in the east Christchurch area on Saturday to conduct a survey of religious affiliations in the area.

The survey was initiated by the Linwood Ministers* Association and covered the area from Stanmore road to Bexley road, and from the railway line to the Avon river, with an extension into the Burwood area. The chairman of the Linwood Ministers’ Association (the Rev. A. A. Hodges) said yesterday the survey had gone very well, in spite of rather inclement weather. The helpers had met with cooperation and a good reception from householders.

For the purpose of the survey the area was divided into three, and the helpers working in each area brought the figures to their individual headquarters. These headquarters will, during the next few days, collate the results, which will be handed to the steering committee of laymen, who organised details of the survey, for final addition. The final figures are expected to be known at the end of the week.

The survey is the biggest of its type to be organised in Christchurch, .-.nd is intended to make available to the 10 participating denominations details of the number of their adherents in the area, who they are, and where they are.

The helpers were provided by the 25 parishes in the area, Roman Catholic and Church of England congregations together providing the greatest number.