METHODIST CHURCH

Southland Times, Issue 22009, 8 May 1933, Page 3

METHODIST CHURCH

CELEBRATIONS AT NIGHTCAPS. (From Our Otautau Correspondent.) The 40th anniversary of the Nightcaps Pioneer Methodist Church was celebrated in the church on Thursday evening, when a large and representative audience assembled to take part, including visitors from Riverton, Otautau and surrounding districts. The following history of the church is interesting: In 1883 the Revs. Fairclough and Buttle went on a tour of observation in the Riverton and surrounding districts, and presented maps and statistics to the Synod and Conference. A year later Rev. W. B. Marten and Dr. Morley went through the same area, and all were impressed with the possibilities. The result was that the Invercargill circuit was encouraged to begin work there, and local preachers loyally supported the minister in doing so. In 1888, the Rev. T. J. Wallis was appointed to reside in Riverton. During that and the following month preaching stations were established at Riverton, Thornbury, Otautau, Wairio, Nightcaps, Oraki and Wreys Bush, the credit of this advance being largely due to Rev. W. B. Marten and Mr G. R. George, an earnest local preacher. The Methodist cause was opened at Nightcaps in May, 1888, 45 years ago. Churches were later erected at Riverton and Aparima, and in 1893, Mr E. Grant, senior, canvassed for funds to build a church at Nightcaps throughout the districts of Wairio, Wreys Bush, Opio and Nightcaps travelling on horseback, and raised the greater portion of the original. cost of £l2O. Donations were also given by other liberal donors, such as the late Messrs J. Grant, sen., W. Guttery and J. Bell. At the Nightcaps coal mine a quarter-acre section was given by Mr W. Reed in 1894, and with great vigour the late Mr W. Guttery, assisted by his son and others, built the church, Mr Guttery being later a local preacher, choir-master, and Sunday School superintendent for many years. The late Mr James Grant was a local preacher, circuit steward, Sunday School teacher and consistent member. The late Mr D. Sinclair was a trustee, faithful attender and helper in the services and activities of the church. Mr T. Borland, now residing in Riverton, was one of the earliest local preachers, taking his first service in Nightcaps on September 1, 1894. Riverton was a part of the Invercargill circuit till 1891, when it became a separate circuit under Rev. J. T. Nott, 8.A., Rev. T. W. Newbold was appointed in 1893-94, and was the minister in charge when the Nightcaps church was built. Other ministers who followed were Revs. J. A. Lochore, A. Ashcroft, J. T. Burrows, and F. W. Boys. In Mr Burrows’ time the minister’s residence was removed from Riverton to Otautau, the latter place being the more central. Otautau was the name of the circuit in 1903, Rev. Boys being still the minister. In 1904 the Otautau circuit was divided, the new circuit being called the River-ton-Orepuki circuit, and the Otautau circuit comprised Otautau, Drummond, Aparima, Nightcaps and South Hillend. In 1907 Mr G. N. Wheaton was the first home missionary to reside at Nightcaps. In 1915, it was resolved that Nightcaps be separated from Otautau circuit and constituted a separate home mission station to include Nightcaps, Opio, Beaumont, Wairio and Heddon Bush, and to be known as the Nightcaps Home Mission Station, and from that year the following were in charge: Revs. J. E. Weir, J. H. Edmondson, T. Skuse, G. T. Peapies, W. E. Sleep, C. Duncan, G. F. O. Whittlestone, H. Dyson, V. R. Jamieson and the present minister, Rev. J. C. R. Ashworth. The Rev. Ashworth welcomed the visitors, stating he felt grateful that they had responded so whole-heartedly. Particularly would he like to mention the fact that they had present with them that evening Rev. G. T. Campbell (Presbyterian), Captain Morley and Lieutenant Armstrong (Salvation Army), Rev. and Mrs Prosser (Riverton), and Rev. and Mrs Malcolm (Otautau). It was quite a unique occasion in the history of the church. They were pleased to have with them that evening the “mother” of the church, Mrs J. Grant, sen., to commemorate the 40th birthday. Mrs Grant expressed her pleasure at being connected with the church since its inception, and hoped it would continue to prosper. Mr Peter Grant, on behalf of his mother, also thanked the chairman for his kindly expressions of goodwill, and said he was sure his mother had done her best and had done it willingly. In closing, Rev. Ashworth said it was only fitting that mention should be made of the splendid work done by the Ladies’ Guild, which had been responsible for the excellent arrangements, and mentioned that the function would not have been possible without their aid. Mrs Ashworth (president) in reply, said she knew something of the

splendid work which had been done by the ladies, and the splendid spirit prevailing throughout. Mrs Grant had superintended the operations, and had done wonderful work. The members were pleased at all times to assist in the work of the church. Mrs Grant then lit. the 40 candles which adorned the huge birthday cake, after which a piece was handed round to all present. A social hour was spent, when the following programme was given: Songs, Mesdames McLeod, John Grant (encored), and J. D. Sinclair, Rev. Prosser (encored), Miss Dyson (encored), Mr Young (encored); duets, Rev. and Mrs Prosser (encored), Mr Sinclair and Miss Dyson, and Mesdames McLeod and Burgess; and tt concertina solo by Captain Morley (encored). Mrs Capitaneas presided at the organ.