75th ANNIVERSARY OF METHODISM IN GISBORNE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22942, 10 May 1949, Page 4

75th ANNIVERSARY OF METHODISM IN GISBORNE

The seventy-fifth anniversary* of the coming .of Methodism to Gisborne will be celebrated’at the end of this month by the Bright Street Methodist Church.

It was in 1874 that Mr. G. W. Russell as a home missionary began Meth-, odist services here. A young man, Mij/ Russell was a fluent orator and later enjoyed a distinguished career as a journalist and politician, becoming the Hon. G. W. Russell.

A year after he came to Gisborne Mr. Russell was instrumental in the purchase of a site on which a church was later built. In 1890, under the ministry of the Rev. Josiah Ward a more commodious church was erected and the old church moved back to serve as a Sundav School. The fortunes of the church have fluctuated with the fortunes of the town, but over the years steady progress haei' been maintained. A worthy contribution to the spiritual life of the town and district has been made by the church. Its ministers and people have always taken a leading part in the cause of social reform.

Three Ministers From Gisborne

Gisborne has the distinction of hav-; ing sent three young men into the ranks of the Methodist ministry, the Revs. John and Selwyn Dawson and Francis Parker.

With the coming of the Rev. B. M. Tasker to the circuit a forward move was begun. A section of one and threequarter acres, well situated in Gladstone road, was purchased with the intention of locating all of church premises on that site.

The present minister, the Rev. E. B. Chambers, is pursuing that policy. A 1 tender has been accepted for the erection of a new parsonage, which it is hoped will be read for occupation at the end of the year. With the church entering upon the last quarter of its century in Gisborne it is considered that the time has come for a further advance, and plans are being prepared for the erection of a new church and youth centre.

£77439 INVESTED IN WEEK For the week ended May 7, national savings, investiments in the Gisborne district totalled £7439. The main offices contributing to this amount were Gisborne, where £3640 was invested, Opotiki £236, Te Karaka £l2O, Tokomaru Bav £lO7, and Tolaga Bay £1517. The 11 district offices obtained their weekly quotas.