NEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, BALCLUTHA.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 162, 17 August 1877, Page 5

NEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, BALCLUTHA.

o A meeting of the Presbyterian Church Building Committee was held on the 17th inst. ; seventeen members being present. Mr Wales submitted plans of a church. It was agreed by a large majority to at once call for tenders for a biick building, in accordance with Mr Wale's plan, minus the spire. A long and animated discussion took place regarding the site, owing to the Committee having purchased at their first meeting a quarter acre in the main street, and at their last meeting having arranged for an additional eighth of an acre ; the Deacons' Court having previously received half an acre in a back street. Mr Wales, on being questioned as to the possibility of erecting the building on the quarter of an acre, stated that it could be done by going close to the street line, but this he thought objectionable, besides this would only leare a passage of five feet between the building and tlie adjoining land, and as a large and handsome window, would look that way, ho thought it a pity to run the risk of the appearance of the church being spoiled through a house being put up on the adjoining section. He also pointed out that the additional section would enable the church to be erected in the middle of the ground, and so escape cost in connection with the hollow running through the section. Although at first there was some considerable difference of opinion among the members, not only regarding the site but the competency of the Committee deciding definitely thereon, a/n evident desire for . harmony and unanimity prevailed, and the final result was to consider it a settled matter that the church be erected on the section in the main street, comprising three-eights of an acre. The Chairman intimated that a loan of £1000, at 7| per cent. , had been effected to the Committee, and this reasonable rate of interest had a wonderful effect in allaying the apprehensions of those mem-bei-s doubtful of the ability of the congregation to meet the interest on the debt for the first two years. Several of the members agreed to increase their subscriptions, [one gentleman agreeing to double his -already large subscription, and if the congregation generally display the same liberality, forbearance, and faith in the future, the result •'will be that in a few months a church will be erected in Balelutha, an, ornament to the town and a i credit to the Presbyterians. . i