NEW METHODIST CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18090, 15 May 1922, Page 8

NEW METHODIST CHURCH.

FOUNDATION STONE LAID.

CEREMONY AT REMUERA.

The foundation stone of the new Methodist Church to be erected at Vincent Avenue, Remuera, was laid on Saturday. There was a large attendance of representatives from Auckland Methodist churches. The Rev. J. A. Lochore, superintendent of the Auckland East circuit, presided. An eloquent address was delivered by the Rev. C. H. Laws, D.D., president of the conference. For nearly 50 years, said Mr. Laws, the Methodist ChurcJi had conducted services in Remuera. Now a great forward movement had been made pos*sible, largely through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Gilmcre. The speaker referred in feeling terms to the death of Mr. Gilmor© and paid a. high tribute to his business integrity and Christian devotion. The laying of a foundation stone of a building devoted to industrial or educational purposes was of interest and moment, to the community. Of vaster and more enduring significance was the erection of a building dedicated to meet the moral and spiritual needs of the people. The speaker urged his hearers to consecrate themselves afresh to the holy tasks of the Kingdom of God, and he prayed that their bright hopes concerning the future development of the church in Remuera might be abundantly fulfilled. Mrs. Gilmore declared the stone well and truly laid to the glory of God. A gold jewelled trowel was used. Tho chairman referred to the loss recently sustained by tho circuit in tho passing awav of two of their most active helpers, Mr. Gilmore and Mr. Booth. He expressed gratitude to Mr. A. C. Caughey for making it possible to expedite tho work. He eulogised tho work of tho architect and the. builder, and asked that further generous assistance be given to the scheme. A collection taken up after the chairman's address realised nearly £3CO. Appropriate hymns were sung and prayers offered. The officiating ministers were the Revs. W. G. Slade, S. Griffiths, P. N. Knight, and J. Richards. Mr. A. Peak acted as organist and Mr. 11. Burton led the nnited choir. f During the proceedings the chairman conveyed the felicitations of Auckland Methodism to tho Rev. C. H. Laws, who ha« received the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from the University of Victoria, Toronto.