PENINSULA PRESBYTERIANS

Evening Star, Issue 19994, 11 October 1928, Page 6

PENINSULA PRESBYTERIANS

DIAMOND JUBILEE OF CHURCH

It. is seventy years since- the John Wicklillo and "the iliilip Laing brought their precious freight into Otago Harbour, and it was under very primitive conditions that in 1803 the Rev, Alexander Greig began bis ministry among Uio rugged lulls 01. Otago Peninsula. To carry comfort and encouragement to the pioneers ol the new settlement was a task lor a strong body and a stout heart, since the means ol communication were scarcely of a favourable nature. nor to this the Port Chalmers minister, intending to preach at Portobello, had to be rowed across in a small boat, and to get from the waterfront across to tVßkliH'e Hay necessitated following a blazed trail ‘ through virgin forest. The niceties of fashion made but little appeal, fur the youths and maidens attended church "minus footwear, and the menfolk were clad in red shirts and moleskin trousers. With tho weman there was sometimes a little di- .active touch, lor the crinoline was still in vogue, and it :s said of one guidwife that she carried her hooped attire through the narrow bush track till she reached a ■-hod, from which she emerged later to attend woislnp iu full regalia.

These settlers of the sixties were a church-loving and church-going folk and so it sometimes happened _ that, under good weather conditions, it was more comfortable to worship in tho open than in the small building then in use. On such occasions the worshippers met in a clearing among tho great broadleafs that clustered near the hay below where Hie present church stands.

With .Mr George Clark, of Hoopers inlet, as builder, the fust Portobello Church was erected, all the settlers lending a hand with labour and materials. After the inaugural social at North-east Harbour, Air Orcig was further welcomed at a soiree at Portobeilo in a building on the site now occupied by the Misseo M'Cartney. There are still many in the district who wore at that function and who remember Dr Stuart, clad in his plaid, walking from North-east Harbour to Portobello to conduct service; who recollect. too. the activities of “ Holy Joe,” a sailor and itinerant preacher, In such conditions, then, was Mr Greig inducted into the work in April, 1805, and it is the diamond jubilee of that commencement that is being celebrated at Portobello on Sunday, to be followed during the week by a soiree.