ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20367, 23 September 1929, Page 12

ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH.

ANNIVERSARY SERVICES.

SEVENTY-SIX YEARS OLD.

Special services to celebrate the seventysixth anniversary of St. Matthew's Anglican Church were hold yesterday. Tho morning service was conducted by tho Rev. Charles Chandler, assistant city missioner. A children's flower service was held in the afternoon, tho flowers later being taken to tho hospital. Tho preacher in tho evening was the vicar, Canon C. H. Grant Cowen, who preached for the first time since his illness two months ago. In the course of his sermon Canon Grant Cowcn said each generation had added its quota to the progress of the world, and tho 20th century was proving itself to bo the most advanced. Tho history of St Matthew's was tho history of Auckland. Queen Street was a narrow track', and the site of Karangahapo Road comprised fields when tho church was erected. The parishioners had to maintain the high staudards of the church, which was now passing through a difficult period. There was a tendency to laxity in worship and in the observance of Sunduy. A high standard must be set the community. The infiuenco of St. Matthew's would then permeate home, business and social lifo.

An organ and choir recital was given at tho conclusion of tho service.