MORNINGTON METHODISTS

Evening Star, Issue 19352, 11 September 1926, Page 10

MORNINGTON METHODISTS

JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS To celebrate its jubilee the Mornington Methodist congregation will take part in a scries of celebrations, which will begin to-morrow morning at 11 o’clock. Most appropriately this service will bo conducted by the Rev. J. J. Lewis, who was the first pastor of die charge. A note in the admirable booklet issued to commemorate Hie event says: “In 1877 the Rev. J. J. Lewis, who was a resident of tbo city, had the pastoral oversight of the congregation, and at the first trustee mooting presided over by him he and Mr T. Jones were instructed to procure a bell at a cost of .€9, and weighing about lewt.” Iu tbo intervening years Mr Lewis has worked unremittingly lor the Methodist Church, but, though no longer in active service, his interest ii unabated. The editor of the little book is Mr J. E. Cunliffe, who has done his work in an efficient and painstaking way, and as the result ol much searching among old records. It is well illustrated, too, and contains a portrait of each of the sixteen ministers who have held the charge. They include some notable names, such as the Ilevs. S. Lawry, J. N. Buttle, T. G. Brooke, D. J. Murray, B. E. Rothwell, W. 0. Oliver, and W. Grcensladc. Tbo district has been singularly fortunate in its pastors, and in its local prcachjrs, circuit stewards, and church officials, some of whom have served for many years. With the passage of time a new church became necessary, and in 1905, during Mr Brookcs’s pastorate, the present substantial brick building was opened. Under the present minister (Rev. J. Richards) the work goes on vigorously, and perusal of the booklet shows that the various church organisations arc in a flourishing condition. The progrvinnio of the jubilee celebrations will bo found in another column.