PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20338, 20 August 1929, Page 11

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

ST. JOHN'S, PAPATOETOE.

notable anniversary*

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS' WORK.

FINE RECORD OF PROGRESS.

Tho 75th anniversary of tho establishment. of St. John's Presbyterian Chutch, Fapatoetop, will bo celebrated next Saturday and Sunday. Tho history of this progressive suburban chargo is virtually a record of the wonderful growth and progress of tho districts of Olahuhu and I'apatoetoe.

It was in .August," 1854, that tho Rev. John Macky, M.A., arrived in Auckland from tho North of Ireland, and, after preaching in St. Andrew's Church, Allen Road, in tho morning, began a long and faithful ministry of 36 years in tho chargo |iy preaching in Mr. Baird's storo on tho bank of tho Tamaki River, thus establishing tho second Presbyterian church in and around tho City of Auckland. Of tho original congregation Mrs. S. C. Baird still survives, and although sho is iu her 9-lth year, sho attends divino servico regularly anrl takes tho keenest and most intelligent interest in all tho various activities of tho church. Gift of Land for Church. In 1855 Mr. Thomas Bainl gave tho site in Great South Road on which tho church and hall stand, and Mr. S. C. Baird gavo threo acres of ground for a cemetery. Tho first church was erected in 1855 and enlarged in 1858. This soon bocamo too small for tho growing congregation, and a new church was built in 3863 which served for 60 years, when a fino brick church was erected and opened in 1923. Tho old church, with tho addition of threo rooms at tho back, is now used as a Sunday school. For many years tho church was known a3 tho Otara Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Macky proved :i wiso and able leader, and well and truly laid tho foundations of Presbyterian ism in tho widelyscattered districts of Papatoetoe, Otahuhu, Tamaki, Howick and Mangere. Ho endeared himself to all with whom ho came in contact, and was distinguished for his A-ise counsel in presbytery and assembly. For many years his faithful horso "Jack" carried his partly-blind rider hither and thither throughout tho extensive parish, never/making a mistake by day or night. In 1390 total loss of 'sight obliged Mr. Macky to resign tho active duties of tho ministry, and in tho following .year ho passed to his reward. Successive Ministers. Tho Rev. D. J. Steele, M.A., also from tho North of Ireland, had been appointed assistant in 1884 and on tho death of Sir. Macky ho became tho minister of tho charge. His ministry of 38 years was most acceptable to the people and many of the present members still speak of him with tho utmost appreciation and affection. In 1902 Mr. Steele resigned and in March, 1903, the Rev. A. Doull, M.A., of Rangiora, was inducted as pastor. With great faithfulness and zeal and much acceptance he carried on the work until 1910, when he resigned to go to Palmerston North. His successor was tho Rev. C. E. Porter, who,, until ho passed away in 1923, was untiring in his efforts to promote the highest welfare of the people among whom he laboured so

earnestly. In Jujy, 1923, the present minister, the Rev. T. H. Roseveare, late of Cambridge, was called to be minister of the charge and under his care tho work has continued to prosper, until now there is a membership of 220, with all the different activities in a very flourishing condition and . a fine spirit of harmony and goodwill everywhere in evidence. During Mr. Roseveare's pastorate a fine hall has heen erected at the station end of - the parish, in which a Sunday school is conducted and an evening service held every Sunday. New Charges Constituted. At various periods of its history new charges have hived-off from St. John's, until the present parish is but a fraction of the very extensive district over which the Rev. John Macky presided in days gone by. Otahuhu, Mangere, Howick and Manurewa all belonged originally to this charge and it is a great tribute to the ability and faithfulness of the noble band of ministers who havo laboured in the parish when it is considered how tho work has thus so splendidly been developed. Tho celebrations in connection with tho 75th anniversary of tho church will take the form of a reunion gathering of past and .present members on next Saturday afternoon and on Sunday special thanksgiving services will bo conducted by the Rev. W. J. Comrio and the Rev. W. T). Morrison Sutherland, moderator of tho presbytery of Auckland.