Methodists Celebrate Thirtieth Anniversary Of Church Building

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 6, 12 December 1947, Page 4

Methodists Celebrate Thirtieth Anniversary Of Church Building

On Sunday the Methodist congregation is celebrating its 30th anniversary of the building of its church in Whakatane the actual date being December 17. Before building of the church in Whakatane the services were conducted from Taneatua in the Presbyterian Church which was then in McAllister Street. The Methodist Church was first built in Commerce Street during the ministry of the late Rev. P. J. Mairs who had the work not only of the church but also of the town at heart. As many residents know he did much to beautify the domain, many of the shrubs and the trees being set out and planted under his planning. The late Rev. Mairs will be remembered and his name cherished by many of the town’s old identities. The secretary of the Trust was Mr C. Reid, one time Clerk to the Town Board in Whakatane, and he and Mrs Reid are well known to many. They are living at present at Mission Bay, Auckland. It was in 1927 during the ministry of Rev. Thornley that the church people felt that better service could be given if the church was brought to "King Street to a more suitable situation. The minister and his officials put their plans into effect and the church was shifted to its present site. Later on a much-needed Sunday School was added, this work being under the supervision of Mr J. Hellyar. This coming week-end special thanksgiving services will be conducted by the Rev. C .H. Olds, B.A. chairman of the South Auckland district, who will come through from his church in Cambridge for. the occasion.