ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 14 November 1934, Page 6

ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH

PARISHIONERS GATHER AT FESTIVAL TEA BISHOP WBLOOM HP The 66th anniversary of the foundation of All Saints’ Church in Nelson fell yesterday, the occasion being celebrated by a social evening and tea in the parish hull. There was an enthusiastic gathering of parishioners, both young and old, and all enjoyed the speeches and entertainment, and last but not least, the excellent tea provided. The opportunity was also taken to extend a welcome to Bishop Hilliard and Mrs W. G. Hilliard, as it was the first parish festival they have been, able to attend since coming to Nelson. After the tea, which owing to the size of the hall had to be held in two sittings, all present assembled for the 1 unction of cutting the birthday cake, and greeting the Bishop. On the platform were the Bishop, his wife, and Mrs Hilliard (senior), the Rev. D. Haultaiu (vicar) and Mrs Haultaiu, Archdeacon Smith and members of the Vestry. The Mayor, Mr \V. J. Moffatt, Mr W. Lock (exMayor), and Archdeacon Dart were also present. CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS The Rev. Mr Haultain took the office of chairman for the evening. After the singing of the Doxology, Mrs Moynihan presented Mrs Hilliard and Mrs Hilliard (senior) with bouquets. The chairman in opening the proceedings said there were three things he would like to mention. Firstly he wished to sincerely thank vestrymen and others who had helped to carry out the scheme of renovating the church and tidying the grounds. They were indeed a loyal band. The previous Sunday £75 had’been collected, and this with other donations would enable the good work to he carried on further still.

Secondly, he wished to thank Mrs Tomlinson and Mrs Wright for the leadership of the willing helpers which provided the tea. lie estimated that about 450 had partaken of the good things provided, which meant naturally a tremendous amount of work for the organisers; and thirdly lie was overjoyed to have the Bishop present on such an auspicious occasion in the life of the parish, and felt sure that his Lordship would feel quite at home amongst them. He then invited celebrities present to come forward and light the candles on tho cake, the Bishop and his wife, the Mayor, and prominent parishioners all obliging, until the 66 candles were lit, and extinguished by Mr Tomlinson. MAYOR’S WELCOME The Mayor then rose to accord the Bishop and Mrs Hilliard a welcome on behalf of the citizens. He said that now they had come to Nelson they would he very reluctant to leave it. Nelson was the*smallest city in the Empire, and was noted for its unity and brotherhood among all denominations. Thus the diocese would look upon the Bishop as “Our Bishop,” and would assist him in all wavs as they had done his predecessors. lie said that the people of All Saints’ Church were, lucky in their Vicar, who was the quintessence of optimism, and his smile carried all before it. He had the administration of the parish at heart, and this was shown in a practical manner by the way he had raised money for church renovations. In conclusion the Mayor tendered the Bishop the heartiest welcome on behalf of the citizens, and hoped that his tenure of office would he long and fruitful. Archdeacon Smith (Wakefield) said that he had come to the reception, not only because he was asked, hut because he wanted to. It was part of his duty as Archdeacon of the diocese to inspect tho church buildings, and he wished to accord the parish his hearty congratulations on. the work that had been done. ITis travels brought him into contact with many country people between Nelson and the West Coast, and though they were not so active socially as the city branch of the diocese, he knew the Bishop would he made just as much at home in those back-block places as lie was iu the city. He knew that Bishop Hilliard would bo the kind fatherly soul that his- predecessors had been, and lie accorded him a hearty welcome to his new diocese. On behalf of the Vestry, Mr Burnett sincerely welcomed the Bishop into their midst and said that lie could rely on the absolute, and unanimous support of the officers and congregation of the church. BISHOP’S REPLY Iu reply the Bishop thanked the speakers for their generous words, and hoped he would be worthy of them, lie complimented those responsible for the sumptuous tea provided and the entertainments. The All Saints’ Parish were very lucky in their Vicar, he said ; a man who in a comparatively short time had put new life into the church, and whose honesty of purpose could not be denied.

The speaker desired to bo not only a good churchman, but also a good citizen ; in Australia, he could not concentrate on any one church because of his duties as a school-master; but he was in demand as a preacher, and had preached m churches of many denominations In fact he could not be called a Roman Catholic but rather a “Roaming” Catholic. (Laughter.) He appreciated the presence of the Mayor, and said that the loaders in public life to-day came in for much more criticism than was due. They were passing through very difficult times, and speaking in all seriousness he thought that instead of criticising leaders in political and civic life they should be prayed for. lie congratulated the parish on the church renovations, which had been made possible by the remarkable generosity of the. parishioners, and also on the. beautiful service they had held on Sunday, which had impressed him immensely. lie was specially struck by the number of young members present, and also on the number of men. It was a 1 wrong attitude for men to leave it to the women to attend church alone, and he was glad to see that that view was not evidenced in Nelson.

in conclusion lie again thanked the assembly for their cordial welcome, and hoped that the parish would prosper in the coming year even more than it hail in the past. The National Anthem was then sung, and the Bishop pronounced the Benediction, after which the cake was distributed. During the. evening Mr Webb gave on organ recital in the church, while items were rendered by Mr Horroeks, violin solo; Miss Furneaux, song; Mrs Moynihan, recitation;, and Mr Buekeridge, song.