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Lyttelton Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2013, 4 June 1867, Page 6

St. Paul's Presbyterian Church.—The opening services at this church were solemnized oil May 19, the Rev. T. Buddie, superintendent of the Wesley an circuit, officiating in the morning, and the Rev. J. D. Fergusson in the evening. In the afternoon, the Rev. W. J. Habens addressed the Sundarscliolars, their relations, and friends. The congregations at all the services were numerous. Collections were made in aid of the fund of the church. A soiree was held on on May 23rd. After tea, kindly provided by the ladies of thecongregation, the proceedings of the evening commenced with the singing of a hymn. The Rer. 6. Grant, the Minister of the Church, delivered the opening address. He rejoiced to see so many present, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather. The opening of a church was always an event of importanoe and interest. The present meeting might be looked upon as a healthy sign of the progress of Presbyterianism in Canterbury. The erection of a new church had removed what had been

hitherto felt as a drawback, that the congregation had no stated place of worship of their awn. The church had been greatly indebted to the ladies who had worked most indefatigably, especially in getting up the bazaar, by which a sum of £SOO had been realized, The present building was a very commodious jne, and reflected great credit upon Mr Far, rod Mr Reese the builder. But it must not De forgotten that there was another church to be erected—namely, a spiritual one, of which ihe great Builder was our Redeemer. Mr Grant concluded by urging upon liis learers the duty of a punctual and regular ittendance on the means of grace thus prodded for them. He called uponMrTaitto ■ead the following statement of the receipts tnd expenditure of the Church Building Fund for the year ending May 23, 1867 fecipts: proceeds of the b'zaar, £512 4s 7d; lollection at opening services, £24 9s 4d; undry subscriptions to Building Fund, ip to date, £276 3s; total, £312 16s lid. ixpenditure: paid for section, £l5O ; T. S. )uncan, £3 3s; registration of deed, U 2s: builder, on account, £520 ; archied, for plans and specifications, £4l 18s; nsurancc on value of building, £6 2s 6d; otal, £72 5s 2d. Balance in hand, £9O lis id. Amount of unpaid subscriptions, £66 !s; balance due to builder. £290 ; sum to lollect, £133 6s 7d. The Rev T. Dickson fas the next speaker He congratulated the longregation on the results which had rowned the work which they had undertaken, ,nd exhorted them not to relax their efforts n carrying out to the fullest extent that good mdertaking. Both minister and congre;ation must earnestly co-operate in order to iromote the vital interests of our common Christianity. The interests of the colony me momentous, and the responsibilities me commensurately great. He looked upon ;he new church, in which they were then assembled, as a boon not only to Canterbury but to the whole colony. Mr Milne addressed the meeting in a humorous speech, expressing liis satisfaction at the success which ha attended the efforts of those who had taken an active part in erecting the P resent; e "' He regretted that so much time had elapsed before the work had been completed, but se thought that the present building amply ?® pensated for the delay. The Bev - Ha»,, Jj Lvttelton, gave an address, endorsing KS'of. "mol <f sneakers. During the evening some pieces or Bo were by tl* church. The meeting was very numerously attended.