MAORI HILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Evening Star, Issue 17925, 22 March 1922, Page 3

MAORI HILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

The last of the gatherings in celebration of the opening of tho new Maori Hill Presbyterian Church took place in the Coronation Hall, Maori Hill, last night. The gathering took the form of a conversazione. There was a large attendance, and the proceedings opened with tho singing of the do.xology, after which the Rev. A. M. Finlayson offered prayer.

The Rev. 11. If. Barton, who presided, read messages of goodwill and congratulation from the Rev. W. M'Doiiald (of Epsom, the first minister of the congregation), Mrs I). Borrie (widow of the Rev. D. Borrie, who is regarded as the “ father ” of the congregation), the Hon. G. hi. Thomson (one of the original office-bearers), and the Revs. hi. A. Rugby Pratt and T'ulloch Yuille. Mr Barton said' they were proud and thankful as they thought of the now church and the successful opening services they had had. They recalled with great gratitude the gifts of Mr R. Jamieson, who by offering £5,500 at a critical time had made the buidling possible, and ho thought that the same spirit had permeated the whole congregation. The completed result was more than satisfactory. They -were grateful, too, to the architect and contractorsjnul_to the Building Committee, at tho head of which Mr Walter Wright Jjacl done invaluable work. Mr Barton rend the list of special gifts made to the church by various individuals and organisations. Personally, he felt that the church had been opened under the very happiest auspices. Mr W. L. Craig, the senior office-bearer present, referred to his coming to .Maori Hill in 1804, anj to tho circumstances of the foundation of the congregation there. Ho traced the rapid steps in Ihe progress of the congregation, and particularly the history of the new church, more than half tho cost of which had been contributed in various amounts by Mr R. Jam iesou. The material and workmanship pul into the building was first class, and ho congratulated the architect and the builders on having given them a splendid job. They would be gratified to know that a sum of £540 had been contributed to the building fund at the opening services, apart from the envelope contributions.

Later in the evening brief speeches were also made by the Rev. IV, Faiiiie Evans (Moderator of Presbytery) ami the Rev. J. Kilpatrick (c-lerk of Presbytery). The church choir, under Mr G. .). Scott, with Miss A. George at the piano, rendered » number of glees and songs, and other items, both musical and elocutionary, were contributed by various ladies and gentlemen. Supper was dispensed by the ladies of the congregation o'uiing an interval in the proceedings.