AN INTERESTING ANNIVERSARY

Evening Star, Issue 21640, 8 February 1934, Page 2

AN INTERESTING ANNIVERSARY

EAST TAIERI CHURCH On Uib 18ih ot this month special services will he held in East Taieri Presbyterian Church to mark the eightieth anniversary of the congregation. With the exception of the First Church, Dunedin, East Taieri is the oldest congregation in Otago, dating from February 19, 1854, when Rev. William Will took office as its minister. Probably because jubilees were not so fashionable a lew years ago as they are now, the East Taieri people took no notice of their fiftieth anniversary, but they are determined not to let "the eightieth pass unnoticed. On Saturday, February IT, old members and adherents are to be welcomed at a garden party in the afternoon and a social in the evening. The Dunedin Presbytery will be represented at these functions by the Moderator (Rev. DiHunter) and Rev. Ceorge Miller (who was a member oi tbo congregation in bis younger days), ft is expected also that two former ministers of the con gregation—Rev. R. Hall and Rev, A. C. Watson—will be present. Mr Watson, now minister of St. Paul’s. Christchurch, will conduct the Sunday services It is now sixty-three years since the East Taieri Church, so conspicuous a feature of the landscape, was built, and many are looking forward with keen interest to recalling old memories in its grounds and within its walls. In connection with the celebration., Hie Deacons’ Court has arranged with Mr A. H. Reed, publisher, for the preparation of a souvenir booklet containing photos of ministers and office-bear ers, and ot buildings now and old. This booklet, which will also contain a sketch of the history of the congregation, will he ready this week. The serried rows of candles on the birthday cake of so old a congregation will present something of a problem and add interest to the social reunion it is worthy of notice that there have only been three session clerks in East Taieri, and that the last two occupants of the office—Mr James Waddell and Mr William Allan—between them cover over seventy-one years.