CHURCH JUBILEE

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3493, 1 November 1926, Page 11

CHURCH JUBILEE

ALL SAINTS’, FOXTON. Ail Saints' diurch, Foxton, is celebrating its Jubilee. In a souvenir booklet in connection therewith, the history of the church is recounted extenso, and makes interesting reading. The site on which All Saints’ now stands was fho revered spot of a great pah. It appears that this portion had been sot apart for the burial of tho dead, and in common with all races was held as sacred. As far as can be gathered, only one grave was dug, which is still in existence and may bo seen at the back of tho church surrounded by a wooden fence. In this grave lies the remains of a native, a young man who is said to have been a Christian and who died at tho early age. of nineteen, smitten down by the deadly, discasn of consumption. One of (be first European settlors in this district was Captain Francis Robinson, of Herrington. The old homestead, known for many years as Herrington, was pulled down a few years ago, but a portion of it still exists in a woolshed on the estate. Perhaps it is not generally known that, three distinguished churchmen visited Herrington when Foxton was a very different place from what it is now, and were the guests of Captain Robinson. One was the then Lord Robert Cecil, who afterwards became Lord Salisbury and Prime Minister of England: another the illustrious George Augustus Selwyn, first Bishop, of Now Zealand,, and Lord Bishop of Lichfield, in England; and Sir Charles Dilke, an author of considerable note. Captain Robinson with a good deal of foresight, endeavoured to purchase from the Maoris the present site of All Saints’ Church. After a good deal of trouble ho came to terms with tho natives and paid what was then a big price. £IOO in gold. This land he handed over to tho Bishop of Wellington and his successors for all time. The Maoris agreed to soli the land only on two conditions being faithfully carried out:—

1. That the. land should bo used for he erection of a church.

2. That ihc site of the grave of Pationa, the young native, be re- J spectcd and kept in order. 1 On these conditions Captain Robinson gave the land and his memory j is perpetuated in the shape of a | stained glass window above the altar. The contract of building All Saints' Church was let to Mr. Harley in March, IS7G, but was not completed until November of that year owing to the difficulty of obtaining timber. The now church was opened for Divine worship on November 19, IS7G. Before this period the services wore held in the Presbyterian Church on alternate Sundays by the generosity of the Rev. Mr. Duncan. Foxton was not a separate parish, but was apparently worked from Otaki, as the records show that the services were taken chiefly by Bishop Hadficld, and the Rev. J. McWilliam, who was the missionary of .an extensive district. The first resident minister was the Rev. F. Sheriff, who stayed- about two years. Owing to the many changes in the Manawatu, many small towns began to increase at . a quicker rate than Foxton. This necessitated changes in the parish boundaries. For some years Foxton was a part of Bulls parochial district, although the Foxton , Church is older than either Bulls, Fcilding, or All Saints’, Palmerston North. Rev. John Blackburn, vicar of Bulls, who is still in active work, used to visit Foxton over 30 years ago. The Venerable Archdeacon Tonis Jones also worked the district in 1890.

' The following clergy worked in the parish, being vicars of surrounding districts of which Foxton was a part; 1 876, the records shown that the Rev., F. Sheriff was in charge; in 1879, Rev. J. A. Ncwth; in 1881, Rev. Lloyd Keating; then for two years the parish had no resident vicar, and records show that Bishop Hadfiold and Rev. James McWilliam, missionary of the Otaki district, maintained services. In ISS4 Rev. J. C. Dodwoll was appointed; in 18SG Rev. John Blackburn, vicar of Bulls had charge of Foxton, and visited tho parish fortnightly: in IS9O, Rev. A. Innis Jones, vicar of Bulls (now Archdeacon of Rangitikei) had charge of tho district: in 18 93, Rev. G. Titken camo to tho parish. In that year Dr. Rockstrow’s property in Foxton was purchased for the vicarage. In January, 1897, Rev. R. Young was appointed vicar, and left in 1889. From 1899, Rev. Hugh Leach was vicar. In June of that year it was decided to enlarge the church and a scheme to this end was carried to fruition. In 1902. Rev H. F. Wilson was appointed vicar of tho parish. Amongst the names of those, prominent up to the period, from 1876 to 1902, were Messrs. A. S. Fasten. E. Thynnc. W. S. Stewart, W. Robinson, and, later on, Messrs. A. Fraser, B. G. Gower and Barber. The next event of note was the destruction of the vicarage by fire. It was rebuilt at a cost of £350, and in January, 1906, an organ was ordered from England at a cost of £l7O. Miss Amy Jcnks. whose family also were staunch church workers, was organist for some years. She was succeeded by Miss Betty, who retained tho position until her marriage. Mr. Thornbur then was appointed, and during his term of office gave groat satisfaction. On his leaving tho district, Mrs. Jackson (nee Betty) once again took tho organ, to the great satisfaction of everyone.

Jn January. 1007, the Parish was divided—Kongo tea, Oroua Bridge (Kangiotu). Glen Oroua and Baines.se being formed into a, parish. Paxton now included Moutoa and Oroua Downs. Ttov. H. F. WiTson moved to Rongotca and the Rev. G. y. Woodward was appointed vicar of Foxton.

In 1914 Rev. R. Raine was appointed vicar and on his resignation, in June, 1920, the present vicar, Rev. W. 11. Walton, was appointed.