ST. JOHN'S CHURCH

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 140, 10 December 1935, Page 16

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH

SOCIAL REUNION

The final ceremony in connection with the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of St. John's Presbyterian Church, Willis Street, was held last evening, when there was a social reunion in the schoolroom. There was a large attendance of past and present members of St. John's, and the opportunity was taken by many to renew friendships.

The minister, the Rev. J. R. Blanchard, extended a welcome to those present. He particularly welcomed the Rev. A. B. Kilroy (St. Andrew's), the Rev. R. Inglis (clerk of the Presbytery), the Rev. Canon P. James (VicarGeneral of the Diocese of Wellington), and the Rev. P. Paris (Taranakl Street Methodist Church).

In a short address Mr. Kilroy congratulated/ St. John's on its achievement, and' expressed the hope that the unity between St. John's and St. Andrew's would be strengthened. St. John's had held a commanding place in the life of the Presbyterian Church hi New Zealand, and hi addition to his own good wishes for the Church's future success, he combined the good wishes of the Presbytery of Wellington.

The Rev. Canon' James expressed his pleasure in being present, and said he was glad that he could pay his tribute to the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, and to St. John's in particular. St. John's had been served by great men, and it had played a great part in the history of Wellington. He particularly commended the youth work of St. John's. The churches, he said, were growing closer together in their fight against their common enemy—secularism. All Wellington churches would rejoice in the strong spiritual centre represented by St. John's.

The Rev. P. Paris also added his congratulations, and expressed the hope that thg relations between St. John's Church and Wesley Church would grow closer.

Miss Edna Parton contributed songs, after which the function became an informal social evening.

A hundred years ago many Liverpool firms were engaged in the slave trade of Southern Nigeria. Today some members of the Liverpool Stock Exchange, wishing to show their regret that their ancestors caused Nigeria so much suffering, are collecting money to build a hospital there.