ST. LUKE'S CHURCH

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 83, 5 October 1942, Page 3

ST. LUKE'S CHURCH

DIAMOND JUBILEE

The diamond jubilee of St. Luke's Church. Wadestow'in, was celebrated with inspiring services yesterday. Early Communion was celebrated in the original church, built oh the main Wadestown Road in 1882, and since removed to a site behind the present brick church. The building in which the pioneer^of the suburb worshipped was crowded with communicants. There were other large congregations at matins and Holy Communion, and evensong. Their Excellencies the Gov-ernor-General and Lady Newall were present at matin.!, when his Excellency read the lessons. The Bishop of Wellington, the Rt. Rev. H. St. Barbe Holland, preached from I John V, 4 "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." The faith of which John spoke, he said, was a powerful motivating force. Those who possessed it felt they must "do something about it." It was that faith that led the early settlers of Wadestown, few and scattered as they were, to build their first church. The Bishop commended the aim of the parish to mark this jubilee by clearing all the outstanding debts. That was a fine thing to do—to clear the decks for action for the great test that was ahead for the whole church.

The Bishop afterwards celebrated Holy Communion. At evensong the pi-eacher was the vicar, the Rev. L. N. Watkins. The offertories yesterday and other collections for the gift Sunday ■amounted to £273. This will be applied to the redemption of the remaining mortgages.on the parish hall and the vicarage.

On Saturday evening a well-attended parish social was held and among those present were Archdeacon Bullock ancl ihe Rev J. E Ashley-Jones, vicar of the parish for 20 years. The celebrations will be continued with youth activities this week and will conclude on October 18, St. Luke's Day.