ST. DAVID'S CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20421, 25 November 1929, Page 12

ST. DAVID'S CHURCH.

SPLENDID GIVING RECORD.

BUILDING FUND OF £26,000.

THe annual reports of St. David's Presbyterian Church to bo presentod at tho congregational meeting next Wednesday evening record tho final closing of the. new church building fund which was opened ten years ago with a donation of £IOOO from Mr. John Fleming. A total of £25,652 has heen received and paid out, of which £19,400 was for tho erection and furnishing of the new church, £3900 for land and the remainder for removal and renovations of old buildings. Tho wholo property, estimated to bo worth over £35,000, is now entirely freo of debt. " Tho raising of almost £26,000 in ton years for building purposes is, I think, a record unparalleled by any other congregation in tho wholo history of Presbyterianism in New Zealand," writes the Kcv. D. C. Ilerron,minister of St. David's. "Further than that, tho amount has been accumulated by direct giving and without resort to such distress methods as sales of work." Tho relations of all assisting in tho scheme had been most cordial and thoro had beon little slackening of support for tho under work of tho church.

Mr. Herron suggests three fresh projects to which the congregation might now turn its attention, tho purchasing of sections in the suburbs for church extension purposes, tho establishing of theological collego bursaries and tho establishment of a church endowment fund to provide for the time whon St. David's has bocomo a down town church.

During the period of sixteen months covorod by tho report 33 members joined the congregation by profession of faith and 53 by certificate. The membership now stands at 584. Tho main Sunday school lias a roll of 150 scholars and 29 teachers and tho branch school of 130 scholars and 14 toachors. Tho treasurer's statement shows that since July 1, 1928, a sum of £3002 10s passed through tho treasurer's hands and a further £2659 was raised for tho building fund. Tho poriod started with a debt of £52 and ended with a credit of £l3. The sum of £987 was contributed through tho church to mission schemes. Special regret is expressed at the rotiroment of Mr. W. Pirrett, who has been church treasurer for tho past fivo years, "