ST STEPHEN’S CHURCH.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 697, 25 July 1882, Page 2

ST STEPHEN’S CHURCH.

A parochial meeting of the members of the above church was held last evening in the upper room of Saunders’ Buildings, to elect two {vestrymen in the places of Messrs Ward and Boyle resigned, and to consider the financial state of the church. There were about forty persons present. The proceedings opened with prayer, after which the Rev. E. A. Scott (incumbent), who occupied the chair, stated that the Yen. Archdeacon Harris had examined the Sunday-school children last Saturday and Sunday, and had awarded certificates to three boys and four g’rls for general knowledge. There were fortyone children on the books, with an average of twenty-five each Sunday who attended the Trevorton branch, at the Parsonage. Those ladies who had formed themselves into a sewing committee were doing good work, and had contributed LlO to his (Mr Scott’s) predecessor, which had been given by Mr Hands to him (Mr Scott), and had paid for pew rents a further sum of fifteen guineas since Mr Hands went away. He had held a service at Seafield last Sunday week, and intended to continue the services fortnightly. He had also founded a temperance society last Thursday in Ashburton, and proposed inaugurating a Bible class for young men, to be held at the Parsonage. The Sunday services at St Stephen’s were well attended, but he could not say so much for the Friday evening services. The election of vestrymen was then proceeded with, and resulted as follows: Messrs W. H. Felton, 1C; T. H. Zouch, 15; C. Seager, 10; W. Townshend, 2. Messrs Felton and Zouch wore therefore declared duly elected. The financial statement was read and approved. Dr Trevor referred to the original liability on the church of LIG6, and to help pay off the amount which had to be met by next Easter, the Yestry proposed to get out subscription lists. He trusted those present would lend their assistance to the object. One gentleman had very generously promised to give LSO if the Vestry could by any means raise L4OO more before Easter. That offer was made some time ago, and now the amount to be raised was only L 225. It was then resolved that a thorough canvass of members of the Church of England be made, and that those present form themselves into a committee to carry out the above object. It was also resolved to hold the parochial meeting once a quarter insteid of annually, as at present. The meeting terminated with the usual vote of thanks to the chair.

The Chairman then requested those wishing to act on the Canvassing Committee to remain, and more than thirty did so. The committee then adjourned to Saturday evening at seven o’clock, at the parsonage.