MORAY PLACE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 3584, 21 November 1922, Page 58

MORAY PLACE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY MEETING. Ihe sixtieth anniversary meeting of (he Moray place Congregational Church Was held :n the Jubilee llall on the loth, the Rev. W. Saunddfrs presiding over a good attendance. The annual report mudo suitable reference to the fact that this year was the diamond jubilee of the church. Not one remained alive of those who founded the church, but many of their descendants still remained among the congregation. In all the 60 years there had been only four ministers. The church membership had been fairly steady. Figures showed it to be lower this year than since 1890, but this was accounted for by the drastic purging of the roll. Unquestionably, however, the Sunday school was very much smaller than it was in those days. The report later states that the attendance is now slowly increasing The treasurer (Mr Peter Barr) said the total amount received during the year was £llll, and made humorous reference to an overdraft cf 2s lOd. Ordinary income had fallen short of expenditure, as it did the year before, by about £46, which proved that but for special efforts there would be a deficiency. Mr Barr stated that in the last three years the ladies had raised £450 by their sales of work, and other donations for the memorial window and church alterations brought the special total up to £697. He also mentioned, among other interesting facts, that £154 had been given fo the Presbyterian Social Service Association in that period, and £367 to the London Missionary Society. Tlie Hon. W. Downie Stewart, who was present by invitation, thanked them for the opportunity of taking part in so important a celebration in the history of their church. He envied them the successful conduct of their fina’nces, and had been wondering if they could not persuade Mr Barr to take charge of the dominion’s finances, because if he could show them a credit balance cf 2s lOd next year they would be very pleased.—(Laughter.) Mr Stewart paid a very high tribute to the value of the church in society, and especially in the building up of New Zealand, because of the ideals for which it stood, and wished them continued success. Short addresses were also given by the Rev. W. M. Grant, Rev. A. H. Wallace, and Rev. I. Sarginson. The choir fang “To Thee Great God” and “By Babylon’s Wave.” Mrs F. Anderson and Mr J. D. M‘Krohnie contributed a duet, and Mis 9 Alice Wilkinson and Mr W. Gemrnell songs. The proceedings throughout the evening betokened the warm spirit that evidently existed among the members of the church, and all present partook of a friendly supper before parting.