HEATHCOTE VALLEY WESLEYAN CHURCH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 8034, 6 December 1886, Page 5

HEATHCOTE VALLEY WESLEYAN CHURCH.

The opening services of the Heathcote Valley Wesleyan church were held on Sunday week, and were satisfactory throughout the day. Pathetic and edifying addresses were delivered morning and evening by the Eev J. Berry, the Eev W. J. Williams, of Lyttelton, conducting an afternoon service. The attendances at each meeting were good, and the collections fairly satisfactory. The opening of the church was further celebrated by a tea and public meeting on Wednesday evening. The tables were presided over by the Mesdames Buxton, Collins, M'Dowell, Gray, Queree, Gemmell, and the Misses Weir, Buxton, Walker, Menzies (2), Carpenter, and M'Dowell, and for some time these ladies were kept busy, welcoming and attending to the numerous visitors, yet their work was performed in such a manner as to elicit the hearty vote of thanks, which was deservedly accorded to them later on in the evening. After tea an adjournment was made to the new church, where Mr J. L. Wilson took the chair. The meeting having been opened by devotional exercises, led by Mr J. T. Smith, the Secretary presented a report on the progress of the Methodist Church in the Valley. The Treasurer, Mr M'Dowell, followed with an interesting statement of the receipts and expenditure, showing that the cost will be very nearly defrayed by donations. Addresses, humorous, practical, and instructive, were delivered by the Revs , Williams and Keall, Messrs Armstrong and Dawson, and were pleasantly interspersed by selections of Sankey’s hymns rendered by the choir, under the able direction' of Mr Kent, Miss Buxton presiding at the organ, kindly lent for the occasion by Mrs Queree. The Revs Lewis and Bond submitted comprehensive votes of thanks, which included all who had contributed to what proved to be one of the most successful tea meetings which have been held in the district. The Church was designed and built by Mr S. A. Collins, and most fitting were the hearty encomiums bestowed on that gentleman for the way in which the work has been completed. The building is substantial, plain, but effective, white the ventilation is all that could be desired. Seating accommodation* is provided for about 150.