CHURCH BIRTHDAY PARTY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18386, 2 May 1934, Page 7

CHURCH BIRTHDAY PARTY

21ST ANNIVERSARY MANGAPAPA CELEBRATION The twenty-first birthday of Knox Church, Mangapapa, was celebrated by a partv held in the church last night. JjVoin 150. to 160 people sat down to tea, followed by a social and the cutting of a 21-candled birthday cake. '1 lie gathering was representative not only ot Mangapapa Presbyterians, but also those from the main church, St. Andrew’s, and St. David’s, Kaiti, as well as other denominations. The chair was taken by the Rev. James Aitkcn, of St. Andrew’s. The birthday cake was cut at the conclusion by Mrs. W. J. McCliskie, one of the oldest members, after the 21 candles had been lit by Mrs. Moir, and in the interval between the tea and the cutting of the cake, several speeches were made, speakers reminiscing over the events of the past 21 years. The tea tables wer.e loaded with good things, and were attractively laid out and decorated with flowers.

The minister in charge of the church, the Rev. ,J. H. Boyd, said that at one time, Knox Church was attached to St. Andrew’s, and for that reason lie extended a very hearty welcome to the Rev. James Aitkcn. lie especially welcomed the lay preachers, without whom the church could not function as it had done. He was glad to see representatives of St. David’s Church, Kaiti. He expressed appreciation at the magnificent work of the ladies, due to whom the expense of the feast was only 13s 9d. At the services on Sunday, when the collections were a special effort for the church fund, a total of over £l2 was contributed. ■

Re was also glad to have Mr. and Mrs. D. Douglas present, for manifestations of their generous spirit were to be seen both inside and outside the church. Thanks were expressed to Miss Steele for an enlarged photograph of the late Rev. W. Grant, who was minister at St Andrew’s when Knox Church was built.

Continuing, Mr. Boyd said that there as always a danger of a church resting oh its past reputation. Knox Church had a past that it could be proud of, but this must not be depended upon to carry it through the next 21 years, If they could keep working together on common ground, even though they differed on. some aspects, they could not help progressing. WORK OF THE CHURCH

The Rev. James Aitken hoped the church was as proud as it should be on its twenty-first birthday. Although it had readied its twenty-first birthday, the church must remeniDer that it was only one of 375 charges in New Zealand, the church of which was only one of 60 or 70 in the world, the Presbyterian Church, most 1 catholic in the world, extending! all over the universe, including China and even Russia. He knew Knox Church was fully alive to the major work of the church, such as foreign missions. Another major work was in the home mission, and here the speaker said that there was even more paganism in New Zealand than in England or Scotland, where school children were given Bible lessons, while thousands in New Zealand never heard a Bible lesson, more particularly in the country schools; this was one reason for the home mission. A third important work was tile social service that was going on actively, earnestly and quietly with those who were down and out. He was glad to know that l\nox Church was growing ia its Responsibility, and he hoped tliht that responsibility would increase,'ho that the future of the church would be full of great usefulness. Mrs. W. J. McCliskie, representing tne Ladies’ Guild, said that the guild had only six members 21 years ago. They Uien had the church, but no furnishings, to raise funds for which the guild’s six members held a sale of work which realised £l3, the chair occupied by the xhairman at the gathering being one of the first purchases. Next year the guild raised £4l, and in all had raised a total of *IBSO. (Applause.) ' ENLARGEMENTS Mrs. A. Skillen, representing the Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union, said that this organisation was one of the youngest in the church, and was formed in 1926 with Mrs. Norrie ns the first president, followed by Mrs. C. Louden, and now by Mrs. J. H. Boyd. Mrs. Lang Was the first , vice-president. In the eight years, the P.W.M.U. had put through its books over £IOO, and as well sent parcels of new and second-hand clothing valued at £ls to Maori missions.

Mr. Grant,, a .member of the session, said he had not been associated with Knox Church for the full 21 years, but for most of the time, and had watched its very interesting growth’ from small beginnings. The committee during his first association with it included about an equal number of women as men. Mr. Boyd was fourth, or fifth rnissioner at the church, which had been enlarged as the years went by. Mr. W. M. Hall, representing St. David’s Church, Kaiti, said' he was pleased to see so many of the sister churches represented. That showed a fine spirit and a friendly feeling amongst the churches, moire pronounced now than previously, and he believed tliat there should be even more co-operation among the churches. He often thought that creed should be thrown overboard, for after all they were worshipping the same Christ.

Mrs. M. Orr, speaking for the young women's. Bible class, said that she was at the church at its beginning. The Bible class was formed out of the senior Sunday school class held at the school across the road. Miss Rose Steel was the first leader, followed by Misses Grace S’arreo and May Gardner (now Sister ay, of Nuliaka), the speaker afterwards taking! over the work for 14 years, Miss Anderson following till her departure from the district, the speaker again taking over the class. Mr. J. Peach, representing tile boys’ Bible class, said that he took part in the lay services at the Mangapapa school 30 vears ago, the Sunday school being conducted by the late Mr. McLeod and Me«srs. Moody and Haddock. Mr. Allan Gardner was leader at Knox for a time, and became a great organiser, doing great work jn this district, later in New South Wales and after the war at Palmerston North and in tlie South Island, where he waij now a minister. SOME HISTORY Mr. A. Skillen, speaking on behalf of the management, committee, said that the section on which the church wa c built was given by the late Mr. Malcolm McLeod. St. Andrew’s Church provided money for the building, which was put in hand in 1913. Tlie first record lie could find of a committee meeting was November 2, 1916, when the following attended: Mesdames McCliskie and Scott. Miss Johnson, Messrs. Redstone.; Matthews, Marshall, and Hood, presided over by Rev. James Aitken. Early

in 1£23, Knox, was made a full mission charge, and the first success was due mainly to the organising ability of Mr. Grundy, followed by Mr. and Mrs. Norrie* Mr. and Mrs.'Loudon, and now by Mr. and Mrs. Boyd. The Ladies’ Guild had kept a promise to make interest payments to St. Andrew’s, and had also helped the church finances in many other ways. At the beginning of the Rev. Mr. Loudon’s, ministry, the church was enlarged and electric light installed at a cost of £239, this money having been collected during Mr. Nome's ministry. Later, a loan of £3OO was raised to enlarge the. porch and Bibleclass rooms. Mr. and Mrs. Douglas had helped the church in many ways. Air. Douglas put u)i the belfry, gave a Government bond for £IOO, and a pulpit cloth and beautiful bowl. (Applause.) The birthday cake for tlie occasion was also given by Mrs. Douglas. Mrs. Booth, a very old member who unfortunately was absent through illness, had helped the church in many ways, particularly with the organ. Air. F. H. Forge, for tlie local preachers. Mr. A, T. Webber, for tlie choir, and Mr. A. E. Bull, for the Sunday school, were other speakers, the last of whom said that at one time Knox hud the. largest Sunday school in tlie district. During the evening selections were given by tlie choir, under the baton of Mr, J. Carrington Wellby, and other items were provided by Mesdames M. Smith and Sampson, duet; Aliss Nancy Caie, and Messrs. J. E, Mgrcei* and Carrington Wellby. songs; Master Lnurio Murray, recitation. The final act. was the distribution of the cuke after it was out by Mrs. McCliskie.