ANGLICAN CHURCH

Southland Times, Issue 20010, 26 October 1926, Page 5

ANGLICAN CHURCH

VALEDICTORY AT ATHOL. (From Our Correspondent.) On lhe last visit of the vicar to hold service at Athol the congregation decided that he must not be allowed to leave them without some recognition on their part of the appreciation and esteem they had for him. Mr J. Peterson in making presentations to both the vicar and his wife spoke in feeling terms of what had been done by Mr Bishop on his regular monthly visits to foster the spiritual life in this part of his parish. He stressed the fact that the church about to be built would never even have been thought of but for the definite teaching they had received from the vicar. They found it very hard to say goodbye but in doing so, he wished both the Rev. and Mrs Bishop every happiness in their new sphere of work. On behalf of the congregations at Parawa, Garston and Athol he had much pleasure in handing to the vicar a case of pipes and for Mrs Bishop a doulton bowl and plaque and he hoped that each would enjoy the gifts as a slight memento of their esteem. The Rev. H. Sholto Bishop, in returning thanks for their kindness and thoughtfulness said they had been very loyal right throughout his stay, and wished them every success in building the church which would in every way be an asset to Athol and its people. For the unbounded hospitality he had received at their hands he was grateful and hoped to be them when the church was an accomplished fact. Chr behalf of his wife he thanked them most heartily; it was largely due to the care and help of his wife he had been able to come so regularly, because in his absence from Queenstown she had taken his place in the Sunday School, thus doing much of his work.

The Rev. H. S. Bishop is shortly exchanging with the Rev. H. Parata, at Gore, the latter for health reasons being desirous of living at Queenstown.