MORAY PLACE CHURCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23330, 23 October 1937, Page 8

MORAY PLACE CHURCH

SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY CONGREGATIONALISM IN DUNEDIN RECORD OF SPIRITUAL AND SOCIAL SERVICE The seventy-fifth anniversary of the establishment of the Moray Place Congregational Church will be celebrated to-morrow." At an early stage in its existence the church showed that it recognised the opportunities for social as well as spiritual service which its position in the heart of the city involved, and has throughout the years done considerable missionary work and engaged in practical relief work. The church is the only one of the older ecclesiastical establishments in Dunedin which still meets in its original church building. Early History On October 24, 1862, a meeting was held in Clark's Temperance Hotel, George street, at which it was decided that the formation of a Congregational Church was desirable, and a committee was set up to effect this purpose. Among those present at the meeting were Mr J. W. Jago, who was manager of the Evening Star for 30 years, and was well known as an advocate of prohibition; Mr H. Walden, Mr Forsyth, and Mr J. H. Barr. The chairman was Mr J. K. Fey. On the Sunday following this meeting the first service was conducted by Mr Barr in the Oddfellows' Hall, George street. A stimulus was given to the growth of the church by the presence in Dunedin during January and February of the next year of the Rev. J. L. Foore, an Australian clergyman, and a call soon after was sent to the Rev. Richard Connebee. of Melbourne, and accepted by him. In August, 1863, the property at the corner of Moray place and View street was purchased, and, after Mr Connebee's arrival in October, the plans for the church building were pushed on. On March 22, 1864, the foundation stone was laid, and about three months later the church was opened. The preachers on that occasion were the Rev. J. L. Parsons, a Baptist minister, the Rev. Dr Stuart, of Knox Church, and the pastor. The original building is still in regular use. Pastors of the Church In 1868 Mr Connebee resigned, and it was not until 1871 that the Rev. Dr Roseby was appointed. For 14 years he occupied the pastorate with distinc-

tion, and, in addition, played a prominent part in local affairs. He was keenly interested in scientific matters •and in education, occupying a seat on the Senate of the University of New Zealand for eight years. In 1885 Dr Roseby accepted a call to Ballarat. Failing health compelled his successor, the Rev. J. E. Kelly, to resign after a term of two years, and after some difficulty had been experienced in obtaining a minister, the Rev. W. Saunders was appointed. For 38 years Mr Saunders conducted an able ministry. He was an eloquent preacher, possessing a keen and receptive mind. He had a wide range of interests and a pleasing personality, and was warmly regarded by all who came in contact with him. On the retirement of Mr Saunders the Rev. Albert Mead was appointed. Mr Mead had served as a chaplain of the forces on the Western Front, and had held pastorates in England and South Africa before coming to New Zealand. He took up his work in August. 1928, and has maintained the high tradition of service which was established by his predecessors. He interested himself especially in the younger members of the church, and consolidated the position of the church by ensuring that it will have enthusiastic supporters in the future. The Church Buildings In the original design of the church the entrance was in View street, and it was not till 1876 that the flight of

stone steps and balustrading on the Moray place frontage were erected. At the same time the American organ in use was replaced by a pipe organ. The following year two new classrooms were added where the old entrance had been. A vestry was built at the upper end of the church, and the whole exterior of the structure was cemented. Ten years later the View street hall was erected, the vestry made into a classroom, and a new vestry built. The organ was again replaced, this time by a two-manual instrument, constructed by Messrs Jenkins, of Christchurch, and this is still in use. Renewed activity in build-

ing marked the fiftieth anniversary of the church, when a new hall and a new manse were erected. Last year the exterior of the church was renovated, and the general appearance of the structure was greatly enhanced. The total cost of this work, approximately £9OO, has been discharged by the generosity of the people in the church.

The internal appearance of the church is added to by the seven memorial windows. On the north side three windows commemorate Mr J. Begg and his son, Mr J. A. Ewen, and Mr and Mrs Forsyth. On the south side there are four windows to the memories of Mrs Margaret McKechnie, Mr James and Mrs Jean McGill, Mr J. W. Jago, and a memorial to members who fell in the Great War, A tablet was recently placed in the church to commemorate the long ministry of the Rev. Mr Saunders and Mrs Saunders. Membership

In the roll of members the firjt names entered are those of Mr and Mrs J. W. Jago. The names of Mr and Mrs Forsyth, Mr Walden, and Mr and Mrs Shacklock appeared among the first 20; and other early members were Mr F. J. Sargood, Mr H. North (of Messrs North and Scoular), Messrs F. Coull and W. Coull, Judge Bathgate, Professor Gilray, and Mr Archi-

bald Barr, former chief postmaster in Dunedin. Mr Barr's son, Peter, was the first baby to be baptised in the church. Rapid fluctuations in the population of the young community affected the membership in the early years, and, during the later years of the

ministry of Mr Saunders, the transference of the head offices of several important firms to Wellington brought about the departure of several staunch supporters. The membership reached its peak in 1912, when there were

about 300 names on the roll. To-day the membership is about 200. The members have always been liberal in their gifts to the church, and during the past 10 years, in addition to the usual expenses and contributions to missions, over £2IOO has been raised for special objects. The church has always enjoyed the support of an active band of women workers, both on the social and the spiritual side of its activities. CHURCH ACTIVITIES The church leaders have always recognised the need for the development of the intellectual interests of the members, and various societies have been founded with this end in view. Early in the pastorate of Dr Roseby a Mutual Improvement Association was founded which enjoyed an active life for over 25 years. Its membership included many prominent people in the city. In 1893 a Young Men's Institute was opened by Mr Saunders, but, after undergoing several vicissitudes, largely owing to the intrusion of political questions, it waned and passed out of existence. It had, however, like the Improvement Society, done useful service. Many who were taking, or who were to take, prominent positions in the life of the city or the Dominion have expressed their indebtedness to it for the training in thinking and Dublic speaking which it provided. Social responsibilities were also fully undertaken. In 1865 the first town missionary, Mr James Macfie, was appointed. He held the office until his death 18 years later, performing a public service the worth of which was widely recognised. In 1906 Mrs Gordon was appointed honorary sister and did good work in home visitations For several years the generosity of the late Mrs H. E. Shacklock enabled the church to maintain a deaconess. During the depression Sister

Lillian had a heavy responsibility which she ably discharged. A hall was opened during this period as a reading and rest room for the unemployed, and light refreshments were provided. The church also took an active part in the work of the Presbyterian Social Service Association for many years. The Sunday School has always occupied a prominent place in the life of the church. For 30 years Mr W. Coull was superintendent, and since then notable service has been given by Mr J. A. Wilkinson. The first organist was Mr S. Little, and he was succeeded in turn by Mr James Wyper, Mr Vail is, Mr David Cooke, one of the most outstanding holders of the .position, Mr R. Don, and Mr H. L Macmillan. To-day, Mrs H. C. Campbell is organist and leader of the choir, which has on various occasions competed successfully in competitions PRESENT AND FUTURE The social service of the church is being carried on by the Women's Association, a visiting committee, for Talboys Home, and Mrs H. Macmillan. The Women's Association is a large and busy organisation with a loyal membership under the president (Mrs R J. T. Bell) and a committee of which Mrs Esplin is secretary. The church has only a small debt of £4OO. a state of affairs which is largely due to the expert treasurership of Mr C Russell Smith, who has occupied the position for many years. In 1929. on the withdrawal of Mr T. Searle from the position of secretary, Mr, J. A McCall was elected, and with a loyal band of workers transacts the numerous and varied details of church activity. „ , , In common with other city churches, Moray Place Congregational Church has to face the problems of an everscattering population, migrating to the suburbs, but the outlook is regarded hopefully, and it is confidently anticipated that the Christian inspiration and influence of the church will continue. The church is rightly proud that through its long history it has sent men and women of high character into the ministry and mission fields, and into educational, legal, and civic circles.