CHURCH ANNIVERSARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22149, 1 July 1935, Page 11

CHURCH ANNIVERSARY

WHANGAREI ANGLICAN!? PROGRESS OF 75 YEARS [BI TELEGRAPH —OWN COBREBPONDEJ>r] WHANGAREI, Sunday The 75th anniversary 'it Christ Church, Whangarei, was celebrated today, special services being conducted by the vicar, the Rev. H. T. Steele. The original church was dedicated by Bishop Selwyn on July 1, 1860. The site oq which the church was built was donated by Mrs. Elizabeth Mair and her son, Mr. Robert, Mair. Prior to the erection of a church, iservices were held at Mr. Paviß' home, and on occasions in Mrs. Mair's bam. There is a record of services being held as far back as 1856. At a meeting in Dr. Kenderdine's house in April, 1£(59, subscriptions amounting to £33 •were obtained toward a church building fund. Subsequently a meeting was held in Mrs. Mair's home, when two plana of a proposed church were considered, and in July, 1859, a committee comprising Sir 0. Gibbes, Captain Woolley and Messrs. R. Mair, W. Bedlington and Webb was formed to further the project. The erection of the first church was completed by the end of January, 1860, and on July 1 of that year Bishop Selwyn dedicated the building and held two services, about 50 being present on each occasion.

The Rev. E. N. Bree was- the first resident priest in charge of the parish. The present vicar, the Rev. H. T» Steele,, was appointed in 1923. The Rey.. M. L. A. Bull is assistant-curate. The original church was replaced by the existing building about 40 years ago. Some years later the church was enlarged, the north aisle being added. A pipe organ was installed in 1908. The" parish originally included Kamo and Hikurangi, but these were formed into a separate parochial district.