ANDESORN BAY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Otago Witness, Issue 3169, 9 December 1914, Page 69

ANDESORN BAY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

OPENING OF NEW BUILDING. A week ago c'i Sunday the valedictory pop. vices were Held in the church which, "w.th many repairs and sundry additions, had served its purpose for over 50 years. On July 11 the foundation stones —there arc two of them—were laid, one by Mrs Cameron, the other by Mcsdames Somerville, Wilson Samuel, McDonald, and Sanderson, all original members; and to these who are still surviving, must bo added Mrs J. Walker, who made the first Bible cushion. The old building is of wood, seats about 250 people, and in the early days was lit up with candles; the present one is of brick, covered internally with granite plaster, seats 500 people, and is lit by electricity. The heating and ventilation are arranged on the most approved principle. Thu edifice occupies a prominent position at the meeting of five roads, and the square louvred tower on one corner stands out clearly on the landscape. Of the total cost (nearly £4000), by special grants from the Synod, special collections, proceeds of bazaars, etc., about £3OOO has been paid off. Two outstanding features of the new church, as in the old, are the memorial windows giving a balance to each of the side walls, one in remembrance of Mrs Matthew Holmes, who was a staunch supporter of the church; the other in memory of Mr William Somerville, who came out in the Blundell, and was a steadfast and energetic office-bearer in the church up to the time of his death. On Sunday the new church was opened by three special services, at which there officiated gentlemen representing all phase! of church activities. Professor Dickie and the Rev. A. Cameron standing for Universitw and ministerial activities, the Rev. Mr Axelsen, the social work, now such a prominent feature in the work of the Otago Church, and Dr Bowie typifying the foreign missions, which, as Dr Bowie said, can be active only when worked from a strong home base. The three collections, which included a promise or two resulted in an addition of £76 to the building fund. Professor Dickie had charge of the morning service, and preached a most suitable opening sermon from the text II Chronicles, chapter vi, verso 40. In the afternoon » children’s service was held, when the Rev, E. A. Axelsen gave an interesting account of his work, and was followed by Dr Bowie, who held the children spellbound by a gaphic description of the manners and customs in the New Hebrides In the evening Dr Bowie took the service, and taking as his text Acts, chapter xiv, verse 20, and outlined the difficulties a missionary has to contend with before ho can fathom the mind of the native and gain his sympathy. For the services the choir, augmented by some friends, had prepared a selection of anthems, including “Te Deum” (Jackson), “Blessed Are They That Stand in Thy House” (Tours), “O Worship the Lord” (Marchant), “Thou Wilt Keep Him in Perfeet Peace ” (Lee Williams), “ The Day Thou Gavest” (Woodward), “God is a Spirit.” The hymns sung at the three services were specially selected on account of their suitability for opening services. Thd congregations at the morning and evening services taxed the holding capacity of the building, friends coming from far and near; though the afternoon service was sot apart for children, there were a good many adults present also. The opening functions will bo continued on Friday, when there will be another oldtime tea, to_ which all old friends of thff church aro invited. From 7 p.m. to 7.3 u p.m. Mr H B, Austing will give an organ recital in the new church, after which there’ will be a congregational and public meeting, when the choir will render a special programme, and addresses will be given by the Rev. Dr Waddell. Rev. H. H. Barton (Moderator of the Dunedin Presbytery), Rev. James Chisholm (clerk of Presbytery), Rev. R. S. Gray (president of the Dunedin Council of Churches), Rev. Graham H. Balfour, and the Rev. R. G. Coates.