Leeston church centenary

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33094, 8 December 1972, Page 14

Leeston church centenary

More than 300 past and present parishioners and visitors attended the recent centennial celebrations of St John’s Anglican Church at Leeston.

The celebrations began on a Saturday with a hangi in the church grounds followed by a parish social in the Leeston Consolidated School assembly hall. The church choir gave items, and instrumental solos, dancing, and games occupied the evening. On Sunday morning, the vicar (the Rev. L. F. Allison) conducted a thanksgiving Eucharist. He was assisted by the Rev. K. Robinson, with a former vicar, the Rev. A. F. Parr, preaching on “Youth today.” The thanksgiving service was held in the church grounds, where an altar was erected. Mr Allison led a procession of clergy which included ministers from other denominations as well as former vicars and the VicarGeneral of the diocese (Archdeacon R. P. F. Plaistowe), the Archdeacon of Ashburton and Akaroa (the Ven. K. O. Bathurst, and the Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt Rev. W. A. Pyatt). A static display in the parish hall depicted the work of the Sunday School, and the Diocesan Social Service Coun-

cil. The Diocesan Education Department had a display of teaching aids for Sunday school, Bible class, and youth group work. The Bible Society had an attractive display of the Scriptures in different languages and editions. Considerable interest was shown in an exhibition of early treasures of the church and early registers of births, deaths, and marriages. There were also displays of baptismal gowns, christening mugs, and period costumes and furnishings.

Meat dispute.—The National Meat Retailers’ Federation would ask the Government to act to settle the Auckland abattoir dispute, said the president of the Auckland Master Butchers’ Association (Mr J. Cook) yesterday.—(P.A.).