CHURCH ANNIVERSARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25385, 17 November 1943, Page 5

CHURCH ANNIVERSARY

CELEBRATION AT ST. PAUL'S A social gathering was held in the St. Paul’s Hall on Monday night, when members of the congregation were entertained at tea, which was followed by an enjoyable programme. The Rev. Dr T. Paterson, who presided, read messages of congratulation received from wellwishers of the church.

An address was given by the Rev. A. Brian Kilroy, who was formerly minister of the church, and is now minister of St. Andrew's, Wellington, the oldest Presbyterian Church in the Dominion. Mr Kilroy congratulated the minister and congregation of St. Paul’s on behalf of his wife and himself.

Mr James Rodman, an elder of the church, spoke of his own long connection with St. Paul’s, and brought greetings from Otepopo and Hampden, as vJeli as best wishes from the Waitaki County Council.

The Mayor (Mr J. C. Kirkness) said it was a great day for the church. He referred to the brilliant attainments of past, ministers, such as the Rev. Dr Hunter and the Rev. Mr Kilroy, and then ‘paid tribute to the present minister, who was, he said, a scholarly man, destined to a brilliant future.

Messages of goodwill were also conveyed by Mr Murray, the Rev. A. Murdoch. and the Rev. W. Lawson Marsh (moderator of presbytery). Delivering' his message of goodwill on behalf of the citizens, Mr Kirkness paid a tribute to Archdeacon Russell, who was present, and whom he described as the father of the community. He said he believed that Archdeacon Russell was shortly retiring, and he wished to say how much the Presbyterian Church honoured him for his work in Oamaru.

Archdeacon Russell, in reply, said lie had seen ministers come and go at St. Paul's, but at last it was bis own turn to go. . St. Paul and St. Luke had been great friends, he said, and that was also true of the two churches. He was glad to congratulate St. Paul’s Church on 80 years of splendid work.

An enjoyable musical programme was presented as follows:—lnstrumental duets, Messrs M. Tonkin and G. Ovens; songs— Mrs Smellie, Mr Monteath; piano duets. Misses Grace Hollambv and Doreen Clarke; banjo solos, Mrs Whittaker; piano-accordion items, Miss M. Hamilton; one-act play, “ The Bathroom Door,” Misses N. Muir, I-I. Gibb, N. Domigan, Messrs M. J. Hamilton, S. Kinder, and K. Mathieson.