A CHURCH’S COMING OF AGE

Evening Star, Issue 20311, 21 October 1929, Page 16

A CHURCH’S COMING OF AGE

ST. CLAIR PRESBYTERIANS Yesterday the St. Clair Presbyterian Church celebrated its twenty-first birthday. The meeting of residents to consider the advisability of giving Presbyterians a home at St. Clair was held on October 5, 1908, the Rev, J. Chisholm, Moderator of the Assembly that year, in the. chair. The Rev. W. Scorgie, chairman of the Church Extension Committee, explained the procedure in regard to such a proposal, and after discussion the meeting resolved that services be started in the local gymnasium, Messrs J. B. Waters, R. Duncan, T. Thomson, D. S. Jolly, C. Ruhen, S. T. Sherwood, and H. 0. Campbell being appointed a committee to arrange, Mr Waters being chairman of committee, Mr Thomson treasurer, and Mr Campbell secretary. That was the beginning of the St. Clair church. It started without money and nothing to work for save the holding of services, nobody at that time suggesting building. The Presbytery having given the necessary authority, the gymnasium was hired at 10s per week, and the first services were held on October 25, 1908, the Rev. John Kilpatrick, who had succeeded to the chairmanship of the Church Extension Committee, taking the morning service, and the evening service being conducted by Mr J. H. Laing, a student. The first communion service was on December 13 of the same year, conducted by the Rev. W. Scorgie. Twenty-one persons were received as members. Encouraged by the vitality of tho movement, a site for a church was bought from Mr J. H. Hancock in January, 1909, and in May of the same year Mr W. H. Parkinson’s tender of £844 was accepted for the erection of the now existing building. The foundation stone was laid in'August, and the opening services were on November 7, conducted by the Rev. Dr Waddell, the Rev, John Mackenzie, and the Rev. Professor Hewitson. The pulpit supply up to that point was from various sources. In February of 1911 the Rev. George Lindsay was appointed pastor, and he ministered acceptably until called to Southbridge in May of 1913. His successor was tho Rev. John Miller, who transferred from Dipton, and laboured most energetically and wisely with such success as to build up the membership and set tho organisation on a firm footing. In his term tho Sunday School Hall was erected, the organ bought, and the societies that properly pertain to a church were set going. His work will never bo forgotten. In November of 1925 Mr Miller was called to Papanui, and after a while the congregation secured as its third minister the Rev. R. G. M'Dowali, who is now in charge. With a lot of interesting detail the above particulars are set forth in a booklet the issue of which is part of the present celebrations. The church was quite filled at the morning service yesterday, many old members who have now left St. Clair making a point of being nresent. The service was conducted by the Rev. John Miller, who, with his wife, came, from Papanni specially for the occasion. Miss E. Beadle, who in the early days of the church frequently acted as organist, save her valuable help again in the same capacity, Mr E. R. Benton stepping aside for the occasion. The preacher modestly avoided reminiscences, choosing as his text “ Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by,” and founding thereon an impressive discourse on the vice of indifference generally, and in particular as applying to church work, and every church. ‘‘ls it nothing to yon,” tho preacher asked “ that our Sunday schools are hampered and hindered by tho lack of practical assistance and tho shortage of teachers that other organisations are languishing for help, that in the crowds of the people poverty is producing vice and vice is producing poverty? Ido not fear any or all of the modern ‘isms,’ but 1 do fear the indifference of socalled Christians that results in our boys and girls straying from the fold of Christ.” Mr Miller enlarged upon tho subject, and exhorted all who name tho name of Jesus to be alive to their responsibilities, and now, at this celebration, reconsecrate themselves to service. Tho Sunday school service in the afternoon was conducted by tho Rev John Kilpatrick. Mrs G. W. Johnstone was at the organ, and the solo ‘There : s a Green Hill ’ was sung by Miss Jean Barry, Professor Hewitson took the evening service, and preached from Psalm xxvii., 4th verse: “ One thing have 1 'Vsired of the Lord, that will I seel; after; that I may dwell in the house oi the lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the T.ord, and to inquire in His temple.” The preacher spoke of tho love of the Jews for their temple, and contrasted with their devo tion the indifference of modern worship pers. He also enlarged eloquently upon“the beauty of the Lord.” MrH. C. Campbell was at the organ, and He solo parts of the anthem were taken by Miss Eva Scott and Mr A. I? Dreaver. On Wednesday a banquet at 6 o’clock then a short organ recital, will precedi the social wfueb ends He celebrations.