GREENDALE BAPTIST CHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17181, 26 October 1923, Page 8

GREENDALE BAPTIST CHURCH.

JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS The sons and daughters of the Greendale ' Baptist Church celebrated its jubilee on Sunday and Alouday by a series ' of gatherings. On Sunday unusually large congregations were present at all the services. The Rev C. Dallaston, an old and esteemed friend, occupied the pulpit morning and evening, and delivered admirable discourses. The morning subject was base 1 upon I. Kings viii. 57: "The Lord our Go i be with ua. as lie was with our fathers Let Him not leave us, nor forsake us." The three points of emphasis were: —The voice of the past, the voice of prayer and the voice of promise. The evening subject wa-. “ is the Gospel Still worth Preaching'" a topic exciting profound interest and appreciation. The Rev W. E. Lambert, Thame*, a former pastor, presided over the after noon service. His subject. " AF© are Debt- : ors." was a message of staying power, cal culated to impart and strengthen faith an! ' The reunion gathering of Monday will j long be remembered, when former and pr« : sent members of the church and congrega- j tion assembled from various parts of the ! Dominion. The proceedings opened with \ devotional service, conducted bv Mr Tl. U R. Twose. This service, which was marke ; by the deepest earnestness, was followed h*- , a season of social intercourse. The Rev W * H. A. Vickery gave the visitors, in th«* j name of the church, a cordial welcome. Afternoon tea was served by the ladie.s. and the social element wa c brightened with pianoforte solos by Mr Harold Partridge and vocal solos bv Miss Avice Shiplev an i Mrs Vickery. Public tea was provided m a large tent whiCh had been erected for the purpose, and which greatly added to the w convenience of the ladies in their work The spread was partaken of by an exceptionally large company. The church wag crowded to its utmost capacity for the praise service in the evening, and a number found accommodation i:. the schoolroom. The Rev W. IT. A. A ickerv presided. The heartv singing of the Doxology gave a good start to the service, and the Rev C. Matthews, of Ashburton led the devotions. The chairman read a number of greetings from old members ant friends. Greetings were also received from the Baptist. Union of New Zealand. th-» Canterbury Auxiliary of the Baptist l nior._ Rpreyrion Baptist Church. Thames Baptist Church, the Revs C. T>. Gardiner. Guv Thornton. E. E. Smith, former ministers, and the Rev .T. J. North. Greetings were also given by the Rev O. Burnet, on behalf of the Methodist Church, and the Rev J- T. Rates, of Sheffield, for the Presbyterian Church. The financial statement, given bv j the secretary and treasurer, Mr H. Taegt. showed a substantial credit balance. ! Mr G. IT. Holland, who has been connected with the church since its inception, gay? an interesting statement, of its parly history and of the difficulties which confronted the early settlers. These men did not forget God, and within four years of their settlement regular religious services had been established The early Bettler? were men of strong convictions, but great lovers of God and humanity. In recognition of the lone and faithful service rendered by Mr Holland to the church. Mr W. Shipley (senior deacon) asked him to accept, as a slight token of the members' appreciation, an illuminated address. This was signed bv the pastor an l church officers. Mr Holland feelingly responded. Addresses were al3o given by the Revs J. E. Lambert, Thames. H. C. Goring. Timaru (former pastors). Rev .T. K. Archer and Rev C. Dallaston. Musical items were rendered by Mr Relgrave and Mis Rudd duet. Miss Avice Shipley and Mrs Vickery: quartets. Miss A. Shipley, Mrs Vickery. Mr j E Ridgen. Mr Watson. Mr IT. Partridge ; presided at the organ, and also accompanied the soloists. Mr C. Adams moved a hearty vote of thanks to all who had rendered assistance in making the services such an unqualified success. Mr 17.l 7 . Compton seconded, and it was carried with acclamation. A successful series of service-' were brought to a close bv the singing of “ God be with you till we Meet Again.” A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. Greendaie first began to be settled by a farming community in the year lebu. wue i the late Mr T. VV. Adams commenced farming in the neiglibourfiood. In 1886. seven others had come to reside in the distric.. but these were all unmarried men, anu took no interest in religioub service*. Inc first person to conduct a public religious service in the neighbourhood was u Mr Parlane, who was engaged by a religious organisation of an undenominational character, and which had its headquarters m Christchurch. Mr Parian© himself belonged to the Plymouth Brethren. He made a, visit to Ureemlale once a month. The services at that time being held in th-.. ! house ot Mr T. W. Adams. By the year ' 1868 several others had settled in the vicinity, among whom were two or three Methodist families, and now an attempt was made to conduct weekly services. During 1869 a fairly regular order was being maintained. the preachers during this period being the Rev W. Pole. Mr T. A. Pannetr and Mr R. Pole. Mr T. W. Adams also took an occasional service in the absence of a* preacher. Others who rendered help at this period were: —Air Brinstead (Congrega tional). who took over the work of Air Parlane- Mr Rudd (Primitive Methodistl, Mr Readier (Free Methodist). Afr Ayers. Mr I Williams. Afr Lewis, all of whom were j Methodists, gave loyally of their service i There were seven Sundays during the year 1869 when no service was held. Another interesting feature to note was the long distances these men travelled in order that thev might preach th© Gospel and help their fellows. Mr Brinstead t ravelled thirty miles. Afr Pannett twenty. Afr Ayers thirty, whilst, the other brethren named came from twelve to fifteen miles each, and the roads were not of the best, there were no motorcars. and their steeds were not of the swiftest; but they were men of strong con viction. and were prepared to sacrifice tor the cause tluit was dear to their hearts. 1 During 1870 the services were continued the house of Mr Adams very much in the same order, except, that the Free Method- ; ists conducted a morning service in a house two or three miles away. In 1871 an attempt was made to form a class-meeting m | connection with the Free Afethodists. but ! the effort failed. In 1871 a. Sunday school on uudcnormnnj tional lines was started in the house of Mr Adams. The teachers were Miss Rudd 1 (Primitive -Methodist), Air R. Riseley (We* j leyan) and Air T. W. Adams (Baptist). Or. ! the first Sunday, July 16. only six scholar' ' i were present. It would seem, however. I that Sundav clothes had been procured bv ! the next week, for now thirteen were pre i sent, the names of whom are all on record. ! This school was continued until 1884 under i the .superintendence ot Mr Adam*. Iron. 187-2 it was conducted in the district school . j room. From now the religious life takes a . ! more direct denominational aspect. The i Baptist Sunday school was formed in lßot. i so that for thirteen years the work of th.* • Sunday school still retained its undenoun- ] national character. The Baptist Church j was formed by Mr J. W. Sawle in Decern ■ I her. 1872. with seven members. They were: - ! —Air and Airs C. Adams. Airs Jane err, i ! Charles Shepherd. Miss M. E. Adams. Mr j Alexander Nieholl and Air T. W. Adam-. ; Three of the foundation members are st i i ! living, namely. Airs Jane Orr, Mrs Guiding, j mee Miss M. E. Adame) and Air Nieholl. ; ' the last two being present at the juhilc > i celebrations. The first Baptist Church was I | opened in October. 1873. and was situated I on the main road, in what is now a sma i I plantation near the Domain. A great gale ' I in 1878 shifted the church from its founda- ' I tion and on its being put into position again a vestry was added to the buildin-: : ! The record adds that the church had hero > free of debt since October. 1574. The pre . I sent, buildiiis v.-as erected about twenty ' fire rears afio. and is an ideal villas-- | fhurch. well equipped and fitted for th * I work which is carried on by an enthusiI aptic band of workers. The old church iUtandß to-day at the bark of the newer . ! building, and is used as the Sunday school. Although fiftv years old. it is m a splemdi i s ■ state of preservation. wh:ch speaks well * i for the material used. 4 t , . ) I j n 1876 the church reported that it nsn twelve members, in 1878 it bad increase i to twenty-five: to-day it stands at fifty, but ' ' during those intervening years its member* -» * have been scattered north, south, east an 1 I west Since 1873 the church has l*ee-: I served by a number of earnest and devote 1 1 I ministers, anionc those of more reeen* years being the Revs . J. R. Bennett. (’ule. Guv Thornton. C. D. Gardiner. W. I-. I Lambert. F. K. Smith. H. G. Goring ail ! I W. H. A. Vickery.