First steps of Kaikoura church retraced

Press, 19 November 1977, Page 7

First steps of Kaikoura church retraced

A highlight of the St Paul's Presbyterian church centennial in Kaikoura this week-end will be a re-enactment of the journey made by the first minister from the old wharf to the township. The Rev. William McAra and his family arrived from Scotland in 1877 to lead the Presbyterian community in Kaikoura. He preached his first sermon on the second Sunday in November 1877 to a congregation of 13. The service was held in the Anglican church as the Presbyterian church was not built until 1879. The same church is still used today although it was extended to accommodate a pipe organ. About T7O people are expected at the centennial celebrations and reenactment scene. Among those attending will be Mrs Sbarrard, whose mother was the second daughter of the McAra family, and her

two sons, Evan and Malcolm. Evan, who is a minister in Auckland, will preach at the 8 a.m. communion service on Sunday and speak to the children at the 10.30 a.m. service. Miss Ruth Manson, of Victoria. Australia, will represent all the descendants of rhe Me Ara’s eldest daughter who is her mother. The Rev. Gillman Dunn, who was the minister in Kaikoura 50 years ago, and who was the third minister to be appointed to the position, will be among those at the celebrations. He is now 90 and is still active and alert. The second minister, the Rev. R. Miller, who lives in the North Island, is unable to attend. Other previous ministers expected to be present are the Rev. A. Mitchell, director of counselling to the Presbyterian Social Services in Christchurch. It is a matter of some interest, that Mr Mitchell

holds the same position in Christchurch that Mr Evan Sherrard holds in Auckland. The Rev. Gordon Roe, predecessor to the present minister, the Rev. Lauri Richards, will also attend, as will Mr Keith Davidson o f Christchurch. a grandson of the original owner of the land on which St Paul’s church stands today. A letter of good wishes and apology has been received from Mrs Melville, widow of the late Mr E. Melville who was minister in the who was minister in the early 19505. The celebrations will begin on Saturday evening with a “roll call anil reminiscences’’ social in the Memorial Hall. On Sunday there will be a communion service at 8 a m., the re-enactment drive at 9.30 a.m. and the main family service at 10.30 a.m. They will conclude with a formal dinner in the Memorial Hall at 1230 I’ ln