CHURCH CENTENARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21883, 20 August 1934, Page 11

CHURCH CENTENARY

TE AWAMUTU ANGLICANS CELEBRATING ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL SERVICES ARRANGED [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] TE AWAMIJTU. Saturday The centenary celebrations in connection with St. John's Anglican parish of To Awamutu are to commence next Thursday, and that day and the eight days following will see the culmination of the efforts of a very diligent body of parishioners, headed by the vicar, Rev. S. R. Warcing, who have for a long time been amassing and collating veritable sheaves of information bearing 011 the early days of this district spiritually and commercially. The result of the committee's work is to be a booklet, handy in size, but containing a wealth of information of great general interest. Inquiry yesterday shows that the booklet is not yet ready for issue, but will bo on sale within the next few days.

On Thursday,, the day which marks the commencement of tho celebrations, two Communion services will be conducted during the morning at historic and beautiful St. John's Church, To Awamutu. In the afternoon a special service will be conducted by the Ven. Archdeacon Hori Haiti, at Mangapouri, the site of the landing by Rev. W. Williams exactly 100 years ago. This servico has been timed for 3 p.m., the hour at which Mr. Williams landed from a canoe. Mangapouri is just at tho junction of the Puniu and Waipa Streams, and was the site of. a Maori pa in the early days. Access to Mangapouri is gained from Te Awamutu by way of Frontier Road, and the turn-oif near Mr. J. Papcsch's property, thence along tho bank of the Puniu toward Pirongia. It is stated that in fine weather it is practicable to motor, by permission of the propertyowner, almost to the site of the old pa, where tho service will be held, but if rain has fallen it will be advisable to leave the cars near the old swing bridge over the Puniu and walk a few hundred yards. Next Sunday a Communion service will be held at. St. John's at 8 a.m., and a special service for children only at 10 a.m. Bishop Williams, of Waiapu, a descendant of the original missioner at Mangapouri, will officiate at both services. At 11 a.m. a service will be conducted in Selwyn Park (now a motorists' parking ground, but for very many years tho site of a mission station), when a special Maori choir will lead the singing. Bishop Cherrington, of Waikato, will conduct this sorvice, and Bishop Bennett, of Aotearoa, will preach the sermon. In the afternoon there is to be a service for Maoris only, at Rangiaohia Church, Hairini, Bishop Williams preaching. Evensong will be conducted at the Regent Theatre at 7.30 p.m., Bishop Williams again being the preacher. On the Monday, Tuesday and Thursdav of next week various aspects of the celebrations will be dealt with, and Sunday, September 2, will see the conclusion of the celebrations.

EIGHTY YEARS OF PROGRESS t PAPATOETOE PRESBYTERIANS The 80th anniversary of St. John's Presbvterian Church, Papatoetoe, will be celebrated at the week-end, when a reunion of past and present members and special anniversary services will be held. In 1854 the 'Rev. John Macky, a native of Ireland, arrived at Auckland and commenced a ministry in Papatoetoe, the district under his charge including Otara, Otahuhu, lamaki, Panmure, Howick and Mangere. _ On August 25, 1854, services were commenced in the district, the worshippers meeting in Baird's store, a small wooden building near the Tamaki River. Shortly afterward the services were held in Mr. Thomas Baird's house in the vicinity of the Great South Road. Mr. Baird donated a site for a church, the original building being opened for worship in November, 1850. It was a small wooden structure, some 30ft. by 20ft., and three years later it had to be enlarged to accommodate the congregation. In 1923 the present brick church was erected on the site of the' original church, which had been demolished. The second church, a wooden structure, is now used as a Sunday school and hall. The early affairs of the church were directed by an interim session consisting of the minister, Rev. J. Macky, Mr. James Wallace and the Rev. J'. Norrie. The first elected session comprised the Rev. J. Macky, Mr. James Wallace, Mr. J. Carruth. Mr. Alexander Thomson and Mr. David Burns, the three last-mentioned being ordained in 1857. In the following year Mr. James Wallace, Mr. John Wallace and Mr. David Thomson were elected elders. When services were first held, Mr. R. Wallace officiated as precentor and led praise-singing. In 1860 Mr. J. Thomson was appointed precentor at an honorarium of £lO per annum with the uso of the schoolroom for teaching music. Later his honorarium was raised to £2O. Mr. JR. Wallace was appointed precentor. Other precentors in later years were Mr. W. Carter and Mr. S. 0. Macky. In those days only psalms were sung in church, hymns not being introduced until 1870.

The first minister, the Rev. John Macky, continued an unbroken ministry until he retired in 1890 on account of failing eyesight. He died the following year. In 1883 Mr. (later Dr.) Robert Erwin was appointed assistant to Mr. Macky. On Dr. Erwin's departure for Christchurch,. Mr. D. J. Steele was appointed assistant. Mr. Steele took over the charge in 1890. He married a daughter of Mr. Macky and continued in his ministry until 1902. He was succeeded by the Rev. A. Doull, who had for assistant Mr. R. E. Evans, now minister of the Mount Albert charge. In 1911 the charge was filled by the Rev. C. li. Porter, whose ministry terminated on his death in 1923. The present minister, the Rev. T. H. Rosevcare, was appointed in that year. At the reunion to be held it is anticipated that many old and former members of the congregation will be present. On the present dhurch roll there are several members whose association with the church extends well over half a century. There are still resident in the Papatoetoe and Mangere districts many descendants of the pioneers who assisted in founding the church.