CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3111, 22 March 1883, Page 2

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.

Last evening the members and friends of the Congregational denomination assembled in the Barnard Street Hall to celebrate the sixth anniversary. A plentiful supply of comestibles was provided. The following ladies attended to the wants of about 300 guests :—Mesdames Huggins, E. Foster, Thomson, Slater, Mcllroy, Shephard, Claphain,T. Smith’, J. Hill, Huggins senr, Hollow, Bourne, North, Bussell, Jones, Haggett, and Hillary. Later in the evening an adjournment was made to the Church, where a sacred concert was given, the same being under the direction of Mr R. Foster, Mr Bilton officiating as organist. The Rev. G. W. Sharp occupied the chair. The concert was opened by the choir singing the anthem, “ Oh, how Amiable are They,” efficiently. The oratorios of “Judas Maccabeus,” “ Messiah,” and “ Creation” were laid under contribution, the Misses lanes, Statham, and Haigh, and the Messrs Ziosler, R. Poster, and Warrington taking part in the singing of the several morceaux. The Misses Innes, Haigh, Warrington, Clarke, and Musker contributed the succeeding solos and duets.

Mr Jones, on behalf of the pastor and congregation, took advantage of the occasion to present Mr Haggett, jun., with an illuminated and framed testimonial, upon his retirement from the office of organist of the Church. The testimonial was accompanied by a puree of sovereigns. Mr Haggett suitably acknowledged the presentation. The rev. Chairman warmly thanked those who had variously assisted in making the anniversary a success, and the concert was ended by the choir singing the anthem, “Let the people Praise Thee, O God.” The honors of the evening are certainly due to Miss Innis for her excellent singing of “He was Despised and Rejected ” (“ Messiah.”)