ST. MARY’S CHURCH.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 4 May 1926, Page 9

ST. MARY’S CHURCH.

CHURCHWARDENS’ REPORT. The following report is to be presented by the churchwardens (Messrs. R. W. Simpson and C. G. Bryan King) to the annual meeting of parishioners, to be held in St. Mary's schoolroom, Bank Street, to-night:— The churchwardens regret having to report that the year ended with a debit balance of £lO2 11s Bd. The total ordinary revenue amounted to £2743 15s Od, the total ordinary expenditure being £2948 7s 6d. The oifertories constitute a record, £1617 8s 8d being contributed, as against £1503 13s Id for the previous year. The total sum received through the duplex envelope or freewill offering scheme, was £1295 11s 4d, of which £849 11s lOd is included in the above mentioned offertories. Whilst this must be considered very satisfactory, we must again point out that every effort must be made to increase the number of subscribers, for whilst the scheme started in September, 1924, with 365, the number declined to 325 as at the end of March, chiefly owing to deaths and parishioners leaving the district. We are pleased to note that since the commencement of the present ‘. .financial year a number of-additional subscribers have already been enrolled. It will be noticed that substantial grants have been made to outside objects from the “for others” portion of the. freewilloffering scheme. Messrs Turnbull and Rule having resigned their position as advisory architects for St. Mary’s Church, Mr Walter Panton was appointed in their stead, he having been resident architect during the completion of St. Mary’s. Acting upon a valuable report furnished by him, extensive repairs were made to the exterior of the church. Mr Panton also advises that it will be necessary to renew the slates on the new portion of the church during the next two oil three years, on account of the inferior quality of the slates used. In fairness to the contractor, the late Mr S. McBride, it should be stated that no i blame whatever attaches to him, the slates used having been specified by the architects, Messrs Collins and Harman, Christchurch, as the product of an apparently reputable English firm. The Vicar and Mrs Julius returned to the parish at the end of last November, after their seven months’ holiday trip to the Old Country, and received a hearty welcome at a gathering of parishioners a fortnight later. . During the Vicar’s absence the work of the parish was efficiently carried on by the Rev. K. D. Andrews-Baxter, with the able assistance of the Revs. G. V. Gerard, E. A. Osmers, and L. A. Knight. The Rev. K. D. AndrewsBaxter having been appointed Vicar of St. Martins, North East Valley, Dunedin, loft Timaru early last month, carrying with him our best wishes and appreciation of the valuable services he has given to the parish during the past two years. We are pleased to welcome the Rev. J. R. Young, Vicar of Ross, who has exchanged with Mr Osmers for a few months. Our new Bishop, Dr. A\est-Watson, preached at St. Mary’s on April 11, and on the following evening lie and Mrs WestAVatson received a hearty welcome by the parishioners at a public meeting, •at which there weie representatives from most of the parishes in South Canterbury. St. Mary’s Guild has been responsible for providing a new altar and reredos for St. Mary’s, which lias been greatly admired. A new window has also been placed in the ,south aisle, by his widow and family, as a memorial to the late William Priest, who was for so many years - a churchwarden and vestryman of this parish, and another in the clergy vestry by Mr H. B. Kirk, as a thank-offering. All these gifts add to the. beauty and dignity of St. Mary’s, and the hearty thanks of the parish are duo to the respective donors AVe have also to thank Mr A. S. Elwortky for Ins gift of a valuable section in Oxford Street, oil which it is hoped ultimately to build a new schoolroom for St. Michael s Further small additions wero found necessary to the schoolroom at All Saints, the Wairaataitai Council making itself responsible iox* interest and repayment of the necessary loan which was raised. As m tlio past, valuable assistance has been giver, in working this largo parish by the deaconess, Sister Janet, Sunday School teachers, lay readers, organist and choristers, members of the councils of the suburban churches and - various o-uilds; their self-denying labours must not be forgotten, nor the work den© bv the colleetrs for the stipend fund and" deaconess fund. The question of building a new schoolroom Inis occupied the earnest attention of the vestry, the present building having been erected nearly fifty years, and being bad y affected by the borer. A section in Church Street close to tlio church has recently been purchased, and proposals for building a schoolroom and well eqiiipocd parish hall will be befmo this meeting. these doubtless will receive careful, ann wo hope, favourable and sympathetic cousideiaiion by all parishioners.