New Church at Waitotara.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7219, 20 September 1890, Page 3

New Church at Waitotara.

(Communicated.) For some time past the Eev. Mr Cameron has been pressing upon those attending divine worship at Waitotara the necessity of having a more suitable building than the schoolroom for that purpose, and having got a committee of ladies formed they undertook various mothods of, raising money, by way of tea-meetings, concerts, etc, The vestry also made a canvas for lubscriptions, and from these various sources something like £150 has been obtained. A section of land in the centre of the township was bought, and a meeting of those interested was then held to decide what sort of a building should be erected, whether a Hall, Church Room, or Church, and by a large majority, it was decided to erect a Church Hooin — one that could be used by all denominations for religious purposes, or for any purpose that may be of advantage to the district, subject to tho approval of tho Vestry of the Church of Englaud — in whom it was decided to place control. Plans were prepared by Mr De Clere, and the tender of Messrs Jago and Beaumont having been accepted for tho erection of the building (which is 37J feet long by 21 feet wide), and which they completed to the satisfaction of the Vestry and handed over on th*o 2nd September. It was decided to open the building on Sunday last 14th met, th» Rev. Mr Williamj, of Putiki, being present to represent tho Bishop (who was unable to attend), and, assisted by the Eev. Mr Cameron, the lntter preaching at the morning service, and the Rev. Mr Williams in the evening. Tho organist and choir, considering the difficulties they had to labour under, acquitted then. selves sstisfactorily, and the offertories for the day amounted to £6 18s. The Rev. Mr Williams n ado an appeal to tho attendants to be as liberal as circumstances would allow, as the only debt existing at the time of opening was the cost of the seals, and the rev. gentleman made- special remark, that during his connection with the Ministry for a ponod of ten years, it was tho first building used by Europeans for a placo of worship — that he had assisted to open — upon whicii there was no debt. On the Monday evening a social entertainment was arranged, "which turned out a complete success. It was expected Hint possibly 150 people might put in an appearance, but at one timo during the ovening there was over 200 persons in the building. Besides the two rev. gentlomen who attended on Sunday, the Eev. Mr McDonald, of Waverley, was aleo present, and the three gentlemen gave addresses during the evening, which seemed to carry tho attention of the meeting. A very pleasant evening was spent, the entertainment coneisting of songs, etc., furnished by Misses Dnrie, Brown, Warmington, Beaumont, Harle, Parsons, Mrs Loma* and Milno, and Messrs Brock, Malpas, and Eilers. The proceeds of the entertainment came to about £17, to that it more than covered the costs of the seating. Iho ontertainment was brought to a closo at 10 30 p.m. by singing the National Anthem, after a hearty vote of thanks had bcoa moved by Mr Wni. Brewer to the ladiej, the Vejtry, and the Clergymen, which was carried by acclamation.