PARISH CHURCH JUBILEE

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXI, Issue 2781, 28 November 1931, Page 5

PARISH CHURCH JUBILEE

COMING WEEK’S CELEBRATIONS TRIBUTE TO PIONEER PARISHIONERS. In the fifty years that have followed the consecration of the Parish Church of S. Andrew, many stalwart parishioners have passed on, and therefore with the celebration of the Jubilee of consecration during the coming week, it is certain that generous tributes and references will be made to the pioneer parishioners, who are referred to in a special article on page (5 of this issue.

It was a tribute to the early parishioners, and to those who faithfully administered the church in the early and difficult times of settlement, that the actual fiftieth anniversary of the consecration of the Parish Church was suitably observed on Sunday, August 31, together with special services in connection with the laying of the foundation stone of the now Parish Hall, on the following Monday. However, some years ago, the vestry decided that the observance of the dedication festival be transferred to ,S. Andrew's tide in the coming week, and very complete arrangements have been made for an appropriate festival. Commencing To-morrow. The celebrations will commence to' morrow evening with the first evensong of the jubilee, the preacher being- the Vicar, Archdeacon G-. Gordon Bell. What will bo recognised as the actual jubilee day will be held on Monday (S. Andrew’s Day). The offering of the Holy Sacrifice and holy communion will be held at 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. with the consecration of the jubilee altar. The Lord Bishop of the Diocese will celebrate Holy Eucharist at 11 a.m., the preacher being Rev. Father Ralph Bell, C.R. At midday there will be luncheon for visiting clergymen, and at 2.30 there will be the administration of Holy Baptism. Festal evensongwill be held at 7 p.m., the preacher being the Lord Bishop of Waikato. At $.15 p.m., the new parish hall will be officially opened, followed by a “housewarming” social evening.

During the following days of the week there will be Holy Sacrifice and 'Holy Communion at 7 a.m. and 7.30 a.m. and evensong at 7 p.m.

On the religious side, the week will conclude on Sunday, December fi with special services all day, as advertised on posters issued. At 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., on this day, the Rev. Canon Mor-timer-,!ones, of Hastings, and formerly Vicar of Cambridge, will preach.

The Social Side.

The social side in connection with the jubilee, is being well provided for, and will commence with a children’s party this afternoon at 2 o’clock, on the Vicarage lawn. A dance for adult parishioners will be held on Wednesday next at 8 p.m., also a dance for young people on Friday, December 4. The outstanding feature on the social side will be the Pageant of Saint Andrew, to be hold in the new Parish Hall, on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday of the coming week. No effort has been spared in this connection, and the Pageant will be presented in all its beauty and spiritual significance. Details concerning admission, etc., in connection with the pageant, arc advertised.

Special music is being arranged for all festival services, and the offerings throughout the festival and pageant will go to the jubilee fund for debt extinction and the parish hall building. With special buses running from Hamilton, there is the prospect of very large attendances at all services, and especially at the pageant. Thcwhole movement is a very ambitious one, but such is the energy and forethought of the vicar, Archdeacon G. Gordon Bell, and all associated with him, that jubilee week is certain to be a great success, both spiritually and socially, and will provide an outstanding milestone in the history of the parish and mother church.