HAWERA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 8 November 1924, Page 7

HAWERA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Last night was held a special gathering of church people in further celebration of the. jubilee of the church in Hawera. There was a very large attendance -at the schoolroom. Mr L. A. Bone presided. Apologies were received and greetings from Mr A. C. Buist (Feilding) and from Mrs Clara Hull.

Rev. H. W. Monaghan, vicar of St Mary’s, wrote as follows:

“1 beg you to accept on behalf of all the parishioners of St. Mary’s our heartiest congratulations on the occasion of your jubilee. J. assure you that we join you m heartfelt thank’s to* Almighty God fo.r the great work your church has done in this district during the first- fifty years of its history, and in our prayers that your work may be blessed and abound more and more’ until the coming of the King.” The chairman, in a few preliminary .remarks, .referred to, the great event in tho history of the church and acknowledged all for which the church people had to- be thankful during the years since its inception in Hawera. The meeting was opened with the Doxology and a prayer by Rev. R. E. Evans.

A most helpful address was afterwards given by Rev. Ivo E. Bertram, a former and beloved pastor, in the. course of which he gave a most interesting and encouraging message to the people of the church, taking their minds back to- the, early days and a hopeful message for the future. Presentations were made during the evening as followPnlnit chair by the veteran members (Mr ancl Mrs M. J. Campbell, Mrs Moore Hunter, Mrs Brown, Mrs Cowper, Mr G. Syme. Mr John Hicks') ;. pulpit Bible and hymnbook by Miss Buchanan; cliurch decorations and improvements have been presented by a member of the church, and will be completed later. During the evening two intervals were given for conversation amongst those present, and this proved a most happy idea, and was much appreciated by all.

A capital programme was then given by friends as follow:—Orchestral selection, Scottish Orchestra ; songs by Mrs Ghing, Miss Young, M.r W. G. Simpson, Mr Green, Mr Lamb; vocal duet by Mr and Mrs Ching; recitation, Miss A. Trotter; selection, Scottish Choir.

lhe pronouncing of the benediction by the pastor concluded a most interesting and inspiring pregramme. Refreshments were provided bv the ladies, and the function then " concluded.