Example Of Life In 1966

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31084, 13 June 1966, Page 1

Example Of Life In 1966

Before two senior trustees yesterday put a dedication stone in church centre, which is being built at Durham Street Methodist Church, a large green earthenware urn was put in a compartment underneath.

The urn, given by Mrs R. G. Robinson, was shown to members of the congregation at the morning services by the Rev. W. S. Dawson. He said it was hoped that when the new building was dismantled or removed, the

contents of the urn would tell the people of that time something about the way people lived in this time. urn~was“ a‘''letter"wntft?n’ t lB the utimate discovers. Mr Dawson and a trustee of the church, Mr M. F. Hunter, alternately read sections of the letter which told of the present size of Christchurch and current traffic problems, the inability of the nations to live at peace. New Zealand's relationship with Britain as “home” but her growing association with the United States, Australia and South-east Asia, and the movement towards greater unity among the Christian churches.

A booklet containing facts about New Zealand, a Christchurch Transport Board timeable, a National Airways Corpublished by the Progress League, a number of church documents, including a recently published history of the Durham street church, a last copy of the "Methodist Times,” a first copy of the new Methodist newspaper, the “New Zealand Methodist," and coins were among items. Mr Dawson was assisted at this stage by another church trustee, Mr L. J. Dale, who supplied a specially-inscribed Canterbury centenary coin. The dedication stone, which

will be in the floor of the foyer of the new building, was placed in position by Messrs H. deR. Flesher and Dawson said that if be was asked to suggest a name for the new centre it might be the “Crossroads Centre," having behind it all the time the cross, but also being in the centre of the city and having a role in reaching out to those outside the church.

Costing an estimated £35,000. its facilities will include a lounge, supper room, youth lounge, kitchen, cafeteria space and recreational areas.