OLD FOLKS AT HOME

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1023, 14 July 1930, Page 14

OLD FOLKS AT HOME

PIONEERS IN METHODISM DOMINION ROAD CHURCH A reunion of old people connected with the Dominion Road Methodist Church was held in the Centenary Hall, Dominion Road, on Saturday evening:. The function, which was attended by nearly 100 people, took the form of a tea and social evening:. A feature of the evening was the celebration of the 82nd birthday of Mr. F. C. Taylor, the “father of the church.” Mr. Taylor has been associated as a member continuously since the church's inception as a branch of the Primitive Methodist Church in 1895. During his membership Mr. Taylor has filled almost every church office available to laymen. He was the first superintendent of the Sunday School, which was opened in a private home prior to the erection of the first church building. Occupying the centre of the head table was a large birthday cake made and decorated in shape to represent a church. Congratulations to the chief guest of the evening were very fittingly expressed by Mr. J. Watkinson. an associate of Mr. Taylor from early youth. Mr. S. E. Chappell also briefly referred to Mr. Taylor’s valued services. Mr. Taylor, in his reply, expressed his pleasure in being privileged to attend the function. ORIGINAL MEMBER Among those present was Mrs. S Warren, the only other member of the original congregation remaining in membership of the church. During the evening bouquets wero presented to the two oldest women members present, Mrs. Smith and Mrs. France, 89 and 88 years of age, respectively. Mesdames S. Warren, J. Needham and A. Bridge, with more than 30 years’ association at Dominion Road, were also of bouquets. Mr. F. C. Taylor was presented with a silk handkerchief. Twenty-five other members present, who have attained 70, received flowers. In reply to a question regarding lengthy church membership a number claimed 50 to fiO years’ allegiance to the church, either in the Homeland or in the Dominion.

The Rev. W. Rowe, in expressing the thanks of the church to those who had been the pioneers of the Church in the Dominion, referred to the difficulties and hardships experienced in the early days compared with the comparative ease of the present day. On behalf of the old people. Mrs. Smith thanked those responsible for the gathering. The social portion of the function was opened with the singing of “O God Our Help in Ages Fhst.” Musical and elocutionary items were contributed by Messrs. R. T. Sando and F. Watts, and Misses D. Messer, R. Watt and A Bain. “Abide With Me,” and the "Doxology” concluded a most enjoyable gathering. The celebrations were continued yesterday, when special services were conducted by Mr. Rowe, his subjects being “The Spirit of the Pioneers,” and ‘‘The Noble Ancestry of the Godly Heritage.” A feature of the services was the singing of old hymns by the elderly people of the congregation.