PORT MOLYNEUX CHURCH

Otago Witness, Issue 3335, 13 February 1918, Page 24

PORT MOLYNEUX CHURCH

EARLY HISTORY. The Port Molynoux-Kaka Point Presbyterian Church building, which has been placed in its new resting place at Kaka Point, after remaining some 42 years on its original site at Port Polyneux, recalls much ancient and history of the church. The erection of the building was commenced in May, 1875, the contractor being Mr William Wilson, of Dunedin. Among the memorials placed in a stono pile was tho following document, which is still in a wonderfully fine state of preservation, considering its ago:— "This.church was begun to be erected in tho month of May, 1875. for tho worship of Almighty God, by the Port Molyneux congregation in connection with the Presbyterian Church of Otago and Southland, and forming part of tho Presbytery of Clutha. the Rev. William Bannerman being minister. 'James Paterson, J.P., elder, George Hay and James Shiels being deacons of- the oonerregation. all of whom were the first office-bearers of the congregation. The erection of the building was contracted for by William Wilson, contractor, Dunedin. and is being carried on by him at this date n,t which this document, with other memorials of the period, is inserted in a stono pile specially prepared for their formation. May the Gospel of the grace of God that bringeth salvation be faithfully and fully proclaimed within its walls; may the presence and blessing of the Gre:*t God our Saviour be abundantly vouchsafed to the worshippers there, and of many may it be recorded in the Book of God's remembrance that this man was born there, to the crlorv of God the Father. God tho Son, God the Holy Ghost. —William Bnnnerman. minister: J. T. Paterson, ehler: Georire deacon :~ James Shiels, deacon: William Wilson, contractor. May 27, 1875." OFFICIAL OPENING OF CTTTJRCTT. Despite inclement weather, there was a very fair attendance at tho official opening of the church on September 50, 1875. Dr Stuart conducted the services, and preached

an able discourse from Psalm lxxxviii, 5. A collection taken up at tho door realised £5. REOPENING OP THE CHTJROH. With the rapidly increasing- popularity of Kaka Point as a favourite seaside resort, it had for a considerable time been manifest that the schoolroom in which services were held on Sundays had become much too small to accommodate nearly the number who wished to attend tho Sabbath services, and it was finally decided to remove the old church from Port Molyneux to a site about midway between the original site and tho Kaka ' Point schoolroom. The removal operations were earned out by Messrs Porter Bros., Milton, contractors, and on tunday the reopening services were coiincted by the Rev. A. M. Dalrymple, who was the second minister to occupy the Port Molyneux charge, accepting a call to the church in 1885, a charge which he occupied for 25 years, until ho retired eight years ago. to reside at Morningtoik The sermons preached at both 'services (morninig and evening) were eloquent and appropriate. In the morning the building was taxed to its utmost capacity. Among those present were over a dozen members of the church who attended the original opening in 1875.