CHURCH MEMBERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26772, 15 May 1948, Page 8

CHURCH MEMBERS

TABLE bF ADHERENTS

During the week some extracts were published from a return prepared by the Census and Statistics Department showing the religious affiliations of the people of the Dominion. In the table printed below details are given of the number of adherents of each denomination:—

Members of the Presbyterian Church during June are to vote on proposals for union with the Methodist and Congregational Churches. The Wellington Presbytery, in a statement, has expressed concern at an “ open letter ” on these proposals which has been issued by the Presbyterian Church League. The presbytery, having heard that this document is being circulated, has asked local church courts to examine it carefully before distributing it should they decide to do so. Where distribution is agreed to the presbytery advises the sessions to make it plain to church members that it is not an official document of the Presbyterian Church, but is a statement of some of those who are opposed to union.

Religious Professions, 1936 1945 Church of England .. 000,786 601,786 Presbyterian .. Roman Catholic (inch 367,855 374,956 Catholic undefined) 195,261 215,629 Methodist 121,012 130,220 Baptist 24,703 27,512 Brethren 17,260 18,629 Salvation Army 12,608 13,203 Protestant (undefined) 5,178 11,911 Church of Christ 11,197 11,346 Seventh Day Adv. 3.825 4,956 Congregational .. .. 7,179 6,403 Christian Scientist .. 4,617 4,819 Christian (undefined) 1,689 3,671 Hebrew 2,653 3,470 Freethinker 925 3,089 Rationalist 2,066 2,883 Lutheran 2,537 2,140 Undenominational Christian 1,289 • 1,692 Athiest 599 1,654 Agiostlc 1,499 1,544 Christadelphian Latter Day Saints 1,303 1,367 (Mormon) 745 1,247 Undenominational No religion ■ (so re1,542 1,497 turned) .. All other religious 4,292 11,083 professions 12,857 12,376 Object to state 71,302 126,426 Not specified .. .. 14,705 8.090 Totals .. .. 1,149,484 1,603,554