ST. PAUL’S CHURCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26232, 16 August 1946, Page 3

ST. PAUL’S CHURCH

ANNUAL REPORT

In his foreword to the annual report of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, the minister (the Rev. A. Marshall) stated that the friendly spirit which was much in evidence in all branches of the church work and the Ch.istian fellowship to be found in his pastoral visitation, along with the good attendances at public worship, were a source of joy and inspiration. He thanked his office-bearers and leaders of the various organisations and many others for their warm-hearted co-opera-Ton and help during the past yea*. Following a long line of distinguished preachers, ■ the minister was worthily upholding the prestige and maintaining the traditions of the church, stated the session report. Pastoral visitation had been maintained, and regular visits to the sick and hospitals had also been made. Bible classes were conducted at both high schools and Bible instruction had been given in the public schools. In all those activities the minister had the wholehearted and practical support of Mrs Marshall. . The session expressed its thanks to the Very Rev. G. H. Jupp for another successful year at Eveline. Increased attendances at worship and communion services were recorded, and reflected on the good work being done in that section of. the parish. At a congregational meeting it Wa» decided to place a stained glass memorial' window in the church in memory of the late Dr Paterson. The window was being made, aftd it was fioped to have it installed and dedicated in the near future. At the close of the Sunday school year the superintendent, Mr R. W. Hill, had found it necessary to tender his resignation after a proud record of 54 years aS a teacher and superintendent, 20 of those years being in the service of St. Paul's. At the beginnine of the year the church roll stood at 518, and it was now 530. The major item undertaken during the year, stated the Management Committees report, was the work carried out at Eveline in the way of extensive alterations and renovations, both of which had been a long-awaited improvement. The usual maintenance work had been carried out during the year and the property was in good order. _ The treasurer (Mr A. R. Tait) reported a credit balance of £347 7s, and after, the deduction of balances held for various objects, a net balance of £134 2s 2d was left. The church’s final contribution to the New Zealand Church Memorial Fund was £175 16s sd. Of the £2OO required for the memorial to the late Dr Paterson, £l2B Is 10d was alreddy in hand. Extensive alterations had been carried out at Eveline, the estimated expenditure being £591, of which £403 14s 10d had been paid. It was of interest that during the war years a total of £353 15s 2d was raised for soldiers parcels and £lßl for patriotic purposes.