HUTT METHODIST CHURCH

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 54, 27 November 1926, Page 15

HUTT METHODIST CHURCH

FOUNDATION STONE 013 NEW BUILDING LAID BY GOVERNOR-' GENERAL During his visit to Lower Hutt yesterday, His Excellency the GovernorGeneral, Sir Charles Fergussoa, laid the foundation-stone of the new Methodist Church, on the site the present structure. There was a large attendance of church members, friends from other churches, and also of the general public. The Mayor, Mr. AV. T. Strand, in asking Sir Charles Fergussoa to lay fhe memorial stone, mentioned that amongst the very first people who settled in the Hutt Valley were wellknown Methodist families,. ? who had proved splendid pioneers, and pillars of the Church. The Methodists were very proud to 'have inscribed on the foundation-stone of the new building the name of the present Governor-Gen-eral. (Applause.) The Rev. AV. Rowe, the resident minister, on behalf of the Methodist congregation, welcomed the Governor-Gen-eral. The Methodist Church, /Mr. Rowe said, occupied a very high/place in the religious life of the community, while its activities in the Hutt Valley dated back to 87 years ago. Mr. Rowe mentioned that the new church would be the fourth to be erected in connection with the Methodist cause in Lower Hutt. He referred to the great sympathy His Excellency had ever displayed towards every ideal, and aim, of the Christian Church.

His Excellency was presented with a silver trowel by the architect, Mr. AV. Feilding; and after declaring the memorial stone well and trulj’ laid, said he performed the ceremony with every pleasure The history of the church in the valley appealed to him, because he could remember that, 53 years ago, the representatives of that church had been visitors at Government House, in Wellington, when his father was the Governor of New Zealand. Nobody who studied the history of New Zealand, and Polynesia, could fail to appreciate the great work of the Methodist Church in this part of the world for the last 100 vears.

His Excellency added that no doubt the congregation would experience regret at leaving the old building with its many hallowed memories; but the new church, like’the old one, would be dedicated to the Glory of God. Looking back over the past, all present would probably agree with him that what was wanted was. to build their religion into their characters. He trusted the new church would prove an inspiration in' that respect, and would make for the building up of the Kingdom of God.

A dedicatory prayer was delivered by the Rev. Clarence Eaton, and brief addresses by the Rev. W. Greenslade, chairman of the district, Rev. J. A. Locliore, and visiting ministers from other churches.

The contractor for the new building is Mr. A. II Downes.