CHURCH ANNIVERSARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20071, 8 October 1928, Page 10

CHURCH ANNIVERSARY

PITT STREET METHODIST. SPECIAL SERVICES HELD. Tho 841. h year of Methodism in Auckland and the 62nd anniversary of tho building of the Pitt Street Methodist Church were celebrated at special services in the church yesterday. Large attendances signified the interest taken in the occasion, while messages bearing good wishes were received from all parts of No\V Zf:<l 111 till. Facts concerning the history of the church were given by Dr. H. Laws, principal of the Methodist Theological College, in an address at the morning service. Dr. Lav,-a, who was formerly minister at the Pitt Street Church, related reminiscences of his connection with tho eirly growth of the church. Members of tho Pitt Street Church were to be found all over tho Dominion, he said. Since it had been built many churches had sprung up in the city and neighbourhood, and in many cases these hid been "manned" from the parent church. The church had a warm place in the hearts of Methodists. The Kev. L. B. Dalby, present minister of t ie church, spoke at the evening service on "Comrades." He said fellowship at the Pitt Street Chinch bad been continuous, and at present, as in the past, it was a very real factor. In this way the church had progressed, and, in its steady growth., had not been subject to Iho "up;; and downs" of other churches. Tho healthy spirit of fellowship was noticeable tc a very largo degree among the young people. Tho preacher referred to the W.Y.M.I. Club—a boys' clulj—which had its beginnings at tho church. It had been vory successful in different branches of sport. Special attention was paid to the musical side of the services, solos and anthems being iveil both in the morning and evoning On Wednesday evening a social gathering will be held in the Pitt Street schoolroom, when former and present members of the church will meet.