ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1935, Page 6

ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH

PROGRESS AT INGLEWOOD PARISHIONERS’ ANNUAL MEETING. IMPROVEMENT IN THE FINANCES. The annual meeting of the parishioners of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Inglewood, was held in the parish hall on Tuesday night, when the Rev. H. Boyd Bell presided over a fair attendance. The vicar in his report expressed thanks for the welcome given him. In every direction the parish showed a gratifying improvement over the figures for several years past. The country districts especially showed an almost phenomenal growth in several instances, and progress seemed to be the keynote throughout. It remained to consolidate the position and free the parish from the burden of debt.

During the ten months there were 33 baptisms, eight weddings and 18 burials. Twenty-one received the sacrament of confirmation on March 31 and made their first communion on Easter Day. Comparative statistics for the years 193435 and 1933-34 respectively were; Baptisms 33, 26; confirmations 21, —; marriages 8,8; burials 18, 5; services held 253, 234; receptions of Holy Communion 1254, 955.

In addition to the Sunday school, which had been revived, religious instruction was being given under the Nelson system, a boys’ choir has been formed, and a gymnasium for boys was scheduled to commence. Several other projects, notably Bible classes for both sexes, were being considered. The vicar received a great deal of help by the licensing during the year of Mr. R. W. Brown as a parochial lay reader. He had been of the greatest assistance and made it possible for the vicar to give more attention to certain country centres.

The financial statement showed that in most cases the general development was on a par with the financial Improvement. Tariki especially rivalled and even excelled the parish church in its congregations. Most of the debts were paid, and the road was clear for a forward move. The bishop had a scheme on foot to assist the six heavily indebted parishes of the diocees, of which Inglewood was one. A debt of gratitude was owed to Mr. A. G. Jenkins, parochial secretary, for his work SERVICE OF ARCHDEACON. The parish would be lost without the archdeacon emeritus and Mrs. Evans, who acted as guides, counsellors and friends for many years past. The parish regretted the recent indisposition of the archdeacon and hoped for his speedy return to health. During the year the parish had visits from the bishop of the diocese, Archdeacons Evans and Gavin, and the Revs. R. F. Clarke, H. S. Fussell, J. Templer, K. McFarland, W. Maioha and J. Raine. The vicar assisted at the ordination to the priesthood of the Rev. A. R. Wallace in St. Mary’s, New Plymouth. The ladies’ guild did splendid work during the year. In twelve years it had raised over £lBOO for the church, which was a magnificent effort. The vicar expressed his gratitude to all for their loyal assistance in the work and specially mentioned the work of Mrs. Feaver as voluntary organist. The churchwardens’ report presented by Messrs. A. C. Feaver and R. W. Brown stated that the Rev. J. C. W. Mutter, who previously resigned his appointment as priest in charge of the district, left at tiie end of May, 1934, and the board of nomination appointed Mr. Boyd-Bell. The year showed a great advance in the activities of the church in the parish, including the payment of long outstanding interest and insurance on''church property in the parish, the formation of a Sunday school under the personal super-, intendence of the vicar, the formation of a boys’ choir, and the projected formation of a gymnasium for all boys in the town, extensive alterations and improvements to the parish hall, and the comparatively healthy state of the finances. The wardens in common with the rest of the vestry felt it was time to make a determined move with the object of the total extinction of the debt which has been crippling for many years. The general expenses of the parish should be met by a full use of the envelope system, leaving the result of special efforts available for payment of principal and interest on the debt. In a district with 800 nominal Anglicans on the roll there should be no reason for the low stipend paid or for the continued indebtedness of the parish. The wardens expressed pleasure at the improvement in congregations throughout the district and congratulated Mr. BoydBell on the capable way he carried out his duties as vicar. PARISH HALL FINANCES. On behalf of the hall committee Mr. Carter presented a report that showed that the finances of the parish hall had considerably improved and so enabled the committee to make improvements. On the motion of Mr. Feaver it was unanimously decided to send a letter of appreciation to Mr. Henderson for his untiring services in connection with the parish hall and to wish him a speedy recovery from his illness

The election of officers resulted: Synodsman, Mr. R. W. Brown; archdeaconry board, Messrs. Dansie, Steggles and Carter; vicar’s warden, Mr. C. Fea’ver; people’s warden, Mr. R. W. Brown; vestry, Mesdames Evans, Crossman and Leslie and Messrs. Jenkins, Carter, Kivell, Baham, Feaver, Brown and Steggles. On the occasion of Archbishop Averill’s jubilee, the meeting decided to forward a letter of congratulation on his wonderful record of service to the church. Appreciation of their service was expressed to Mr. Jenkins (secretary), Mr. Carter (secretary of the hall committee), the ladies’ guild and Mr. Hellier for the way he kept the church grounds free of charge. The vicar said a parish magazine had been commenced about nine months ago and was proving very successful. The vicar also announced that a personal friend of his in England had made him an offer that if the vicar could wipe off half the church debt in five years he would be prepared to wipe off the second half. The meeting was very enthusiastic about the offer and all agreed that co-operation was needed. The Church of England Men’s, Society and St. John Ambulance Association were suggested as ways of attracting men’s interest in church affairs.

Mr. Burnip thought that in the past Inglewood had been neglected and badly wanted a leader. “It is now evident that we have the right man and so it is our duty to back him up,” he said. Mr. Basham said they should not look to the vicar for the financial side. The ladies’ guild had been striving with wonderful results but, he asked, what had the men been doing?