ONE HUNDRED YEARS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26905, 18 October 1948, Page 6

ONE HUNDRED YEARS

PORT CHALMERS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

CENTENNIAL BANQUET

“To-night we are glorying in the spiritual leadership given over the past 100 years,” said the moderator of the Presbytery, the Rev. A. M. Elliffe, in proposing the toast of "The Port Chalmers Presbyterian Church ” at a congregational centennial banquet in the Garrison Hall on Saturday. “We can also be thankful for our virile present, but we must regard the future and pray that our church may be richly blessed by God.

“ When we think of the Church,” said Mr Elliffe, “ we could think of a church building, but the Church in Port Chalmers is greater than a building. The people who have been her members have been worthy. The spiritual leaders could have done little without their splendid office-bearers, of whom Captain W. Thomson, representing the past, and a present elder, Mr A. Chisholm, are fine examples.” Others speakers recalled the achievements of the ministers and workers of the past and called for a more vital witness in the turbulent world of today. The banquet was attended by a large number of past and present members of the congregation, special guests including the Mayor, Sir Donald Cameron, and Lady Cameron, the Mayor of Port Chalmers, Mr T. Anderson, and Mrs Anderson, and representatives of other denominations. The minister of the Port Chalmers Church, the Rev. H. O Bowman, presided. Greetings were conveyed by Sir Donald Cameron on behalf of the city, Mr Anderson for the borough, and the Rev. Dr H. W. West on behalf of First Church.

Toasts honoured were:—“The Presbyterian Church of Otago” (Rev. Dr J. D. Salmond—Very Rev. H. H. Barton), “Port Chalmers Presbyterian Church ” (Mr Elliffe—Mr W. J. Johnston), “Workers of the Church,” Past and Present” (Mr C. N. McDonald— Mr L. J. Neilson), “Sons and Daughters of the Church now in other parts ” (Dr Marion Whyte—Mr J. Miller), “ Missionaries from the Congregation ” (Dr R. W. Edgar—Mr D. K. McDonald) , “ Sister Churches ” (Mr A. C. Notman—Rev. J. D. Chambers). Tributes to the work of Mr and Mrs Bowman were also paid. The birthday cake, which was surmounted by an architecturally designed replica of the Port Chalmers Church, was cut by Miss Johnstone, the daughter of a former minister, who has been a member of the church for over 60 years. Items were given by the church choir, the Women’s Fellowship, the Boys’ Brigade, the P.W.M.U. and Bible Class members.