A METHODIST CENTENARY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 56, 3 September 1941, Page 10

A METHODIST CENTENARY

The one hundredth anniversary of the Central Methodist Church Sunday 1 School will be celebrated shortly. The [school commenced its work in 1841 in a private house on Thorndon Flat (Pipitea Point) and continued later in Mr. Wade's store in Lombard Street. A schoolroom was later built in Dixon Street and later still a new schoolroom replaced this building, which, together with what was called the Manners Street Church, was burned down in 1879. Following the fire the officials bought.land in Taranaki Street, where the church and school now stand. These new buildings were occupied in 1880 and 1882 respectively, the church being used as a school until the school building was erected. In addition to this the old Colonial Bank building was purchased for £75 and rebuilt in Taranaki Street and used for meetings of all kinds. No fewer than 12,938 scholars and Bible class members have passed through the school and there have been 873 officers and teachers. Those in charge of the centenary celebrations have, as far as possible, endeavoured to make contact with extesahers and scholars. The singing is' to be conducted by a grandson of the first leader of singing at the school (1843) and a great-grandson will preside at the organ. Particulars will be advertised later.