CHURCH'S DIAMOND JUBILEE

Evening Star, Issue 18399, 6 October 1923, Page 8

CHURCH'S DIAMOND JUBILEE

WAIKOUAITI PRESBYTERIANS CELEBRATE.

Tho diamond jubilee celebrations of tho Waikooniti Presbyterian Church were celebrated this week.

Special services were held on Sunday last, Professor R. E. Davies, M.A., conducting the services, which were very largely attended. A social reunion tool: place on Wednesday Inst. After tea an interesting programme of musical items and speeches was given, and the chairman gave a- brief historical review of events leading up to the founding of the church in 1862. For some time previous to that year tho Pre.sbyfe riau families resident in the- districts of Hawlc-hury and Goodwood received ministerial visits fiont the Rev. William Johnstone, of Port C.halmers, and Rio Rev. Dr Stuart, Dunedin. Idle chairman also extended a warm welcome to Mrs G-hristic, widow of the Rev. J. Christie, who was minister of the parish for forty years. The Mayor (Mr R. Templeton] extended a welcome to the visitors on behalf of tin borough, and congratulated the church folk on their long and honored record. Congratulatory messages were, sent by Mr' Rendali (Invercargill), the Misses A, and W. and Messrs J. and IT. Valentino (Wei liugton), and Messrs A. and W. L'hrLsti? (Ashburton and Ma-sterfon). Songs were contributed by Mesdames Douglas. Harwood, A. Townsend, Mr A Smith, and Master J. Douglas : violin solos liv Airs Kerr; recitations by Miss ('.• Ahlkwh. Dr Gumming conveyed the congra tula-lions of the Presbytery of Dunedin; and Dr Dickie, the Rev. Mevsrs Chisholm. Finlavson, Parker, and H. B. White expressed the good wishes of sister congregations. Air P. L. Clark spoke of the heroism of the early ministers and their worth to the community. .Messrs Charles Smith and D. W. Alalloeh reeounted some details of the early liNlorv of the church, and the singing of the National Anthem brought the gathering to a rinse.