CENTENNIAL YEAR

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 39, 15 August 1939, Page 11

CENTENNIAL YEAR

ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH

The annual report of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church states that there are now 415 communicant members on the roll, an increase of eight for the year. There were 34 admissions, of which 20 were by certificate, and 14 by profession of faith. There were 13 disjunctions, and 13 removals by death and other causes. The Sacrament was dispensed- quarterly.1 The attendances were: 1938, September 287. December 279; 1939, March 295, June 292. The average attendance was 288 as compared with 309 in the previous twelve months, and the percentage of attendances to membership was approximately 70 per cent. The report states the reduction in the numbers partaking Communion during the year may be accounted for very largely by the unfavourable weather which prevailed each Communion Sunday.

"Preparation is in active progress for the celebration next February of the centenary of the landing of the pioneer colonists who founded this congregation," the report states. "A souvenir booklet giving a historical account of St. Andrew's will be published towards the end of this year. Special services in celebration of the centenary will be held on Sunday, February 25, next year. On the same day a memorial plaque will be unveiled upon the building of the Commercial Bank of Australia, on Lambton Quay, which was the site of the first building of St. Andrew's from 1844 to 1866. and the second building from 1866 to 1878. In a letter received by Mr. Kilroy, the Rev. R. Graham Brotherton, Minister of Martyrs' Church at Paisley, advised that he and his office-bearers had decided to present to the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand a Communion chalice, cup, and platter which had been used by the Rev. John Macfarlane when first minister of that church from 1836 to 1839. These interesting mementoes will be much treasured for their historic value."