PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CENTENARY PLAN

Northern Advocate, 29 March 1938, Page 9

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CENTENARY PLAN

[Special to c: Northern Advocate ”] AUCKLAND, This Day. A campaign to x'aise a fund of £300,000 as a centenary thanksgiving scheme for the celebration of the centenary of the Presbyterian Church of New. Zealand in 1940 was launched in Auckland' last night, i when a large and enthusiastic gathering packed St. David’s Hall. The meeting was presided over.by the Moderator of the Auckland Presbytery, the Rev. R. N. Alley. “In the brief space of 100 years many churches and manses have been built, - ’ said the Rev. R. G. McDowall, ] of St. Luke’s Church. “That has involved a considerable expenditure which the congregations have had to provide by way of loans. They bear the ordinary rates of interest and* repayments with interest mean a heavy burden which hampers the work of the church. The total burden of debt is over £200,000.” The objective was to raise £300,000 to be used first to liquidate debt, and secondly to provide for the future. The scheme set the task to every congregation to strive to wipe eff its own debt during the next three years, A welcome , was extended to Mr. James Henry Lang, who will direct the campaign throughout the Dominion. Mr. Lang gave details of the plan of campaign and expressed the hope that the greatest ability of members of the Church would bo given to the campaign.