A NEW CHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2923, 23 March 1910, Page 88

A NEW CHURCH.

PRIMITIVE METHODIST ENTERPRISE. THE ANDERSON'S BAY EDIFICE. There was a. large gathering of people at Anderson's Bay on Saturday afternoon, the occasion being the laying of the foundation stones of a new Primitive Methodist Church on the Main Anderson's Bay road. The proceedings were in charge of the Rev G. Knowles Smith, and - a number of well known citizens were present. The* Mornihgton Brass Band was in attendance, and rendered several musical selections.' The Rev. G. Knowles Smith said that :".i would be within the memory of some that 20 years ago, in 1890, mission services were first held at the house of Mr and Mrs Newall, at Anderson's Bay, and these services had been continued ever since. Their connection had grown, and five years ago there had been some suggestion that a church should be built. Nothing came of it until recently the appointment of the Rev. Mr Charteris as third minister made such a building necessary. So with a very small membership a start was made. Thj section held for a long time by the church was sold, and a new site bought at a cost of £2OO. It had been carefully selected at a considerable distance from Anderson's Bay township proper, and it was hoped that there would not, in any way, be overlapping with churches 'of other denominations -there. There had been a liberal response to an appeal for funds foil this new church —which was to be of' white briok, with red tiles, and seating accommodation for 250 —and the Dundas Street people had done excellently. Mr' "W. King was. > the first to promise £lO, and had subsequently offered to put in the-foundations at his own cost, which represented another £SO. Others followed the lead so generously given, and a total sum of £156 10s had now been collected or promised. The cost of the church would be about £IOOO. MiSmith then asked various gentlemen present to lay the foundation stone?. The Mayor (Mr J. H.- Walker) laid the first foundation stone. ! He said that the bricks and mortar in the church yepreeented something more than, mere buildiiwr material, they stood for much loving though : on. the part of those who had determined to build the ohurch. He commented on th«> importance of the work of the chure.i from the point of view of the civic authorities. ..: ■ ->:•-. Mr T. Somerviile (chairman of the Bay To»vn Board) laid the -second foundation stone. He thought that portion of the Anderson's Bay, in which the church was situated, would be presently thickly populated, as it was undoubtedly in the city's residential area. Therefore, the commendable enterprise of the-Primitive Methodists would, he believed, be quite justified. Miss Newall laid the third stone. , Mr G. M. Thomson, M.P., laid the fourth stone. He prophesied that within a few years this new building would be "crowded out." for that was going to be a thickly populated part of the town. He was- not a Primitive Methodist, nor was ho likely to be, but he believed that they would soon all belong to one ohurch union was very desirable. He wished them every success, and hoped their .church would be a powe.r for good in that community. Mr W. King laid the fifth stone. He made a somewhat lengthy. address, characterised by a spirit of cheery optimism. The Rev. Mr Drake gave a dedicating address. Much of what he said was not audible. He quoted a remark, "If you would give permanence to' your church, you must give it facilities.". That was what the people of that portion of Anderson's Bay were doing—giving facilities —and none in the district could- ; say now- that they were without a church. -..-He proceeded to refer to the particular virtues of a Primitive Methodist Church. It had a Presbyterian jiolity, with a doctrine limited only by the New Testament .and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Wherever there was work f&do and people to help, there was room for the evangelical operations of the Primitive Methodist Church—and therein lay the justification of their function there that day. He said that he was.very glad to be again among so many of his old friends. Each of the five gentlemen who laid foundation stones was presented with a e-mail, oaken, silver-mounted;mallet. There were prayers,, hymns, and leading of the Scriptures, the.-Revs-. G. Knowles Smith, E. Bandy, James Charteris, and J. B. Suckling taking charge of these functions. . .;.:'... '..'.' „.,