RAVENSBOURNE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

Evening Star, Issue 12258, 27 July 1904, Page 6

RAVENSBOURNE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

In connection with the anniversary of the Ravenshotime Congregational Church and the settlement of the pastor there, a, tea and public meeting was held in the Coronation Town Hall List evening, when a large rvmnber of people—local residents and visitors from Dunedin and elsewhere—were present. The pastor of the church (the Iter. F. Xichol) took the chair at the public meeting, and addresses were delivered bv the Revs.'W. Saunders. W. S. Fernie {chairman of the Otiigo District Committee of the Congregational Union). G. Heighway. and Laycock. An apology was sent bv Mr Murray t'of the Presbyterian Church)," who was unable to be.present, and in mentionins: this fact the chairman made reference to the absence of the Rev. Dr Xicolson, who is away from the district in ill-health. All the addresses were attentively listened to, and the friends were much interested to hear of the success of the minister in his first year as pastor of the church. The treasurer (Mr Robert Jack) read the statement of the finances for the year, aud the secretary read the annual report of the church, which appears below. The choir rendered several anthems during the evening, and at the close of the meeting Mr Palmer moved a vote of thanks to the choir, the .speakers, and the ladies for their assistance towards making the meeting a thorough success. The report presented .states that immediately after Mr Xiehol's arrival in Ravensbourne he entered heartily into the work of the church and Sunday school, and his labors have, been much appreciated by all. He inaugurated a Mutual Improvement Society, which is now in its second session, and also formed a juvenile society for the children of the Sunday school. The Church desire also to express gratitude to the Congregational Union of New Zealand, and through them to the Colonial Missionary Society, through whose wisdom, foresight, and assistance they were enabled to secure Mr NichoPs services. The officers of the. church are fnl'y convinced that the time has now arrived when an effort should be made to obtain a better and more convenient place of worship. The present building is old, and is getting somewhat into a state of disrepair, and it would not be wise to attempt, any extensive alterations in so old a structure. Heartiest thank? are expressed to the members of the church choir and to Miss ,Ta«k iorganist) for the valuable assistance so cheerfully rendered at all services and other meeting's.