DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY

Evening Star, Issue 21748, 16 June 1934, Page 12

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY

EIGHTIETH ANNIVERSARY The celebration of the eightieth anniversary of the Presbytery of Dunedin is to be held on July 3. The original was known as the Presbytery of Otago, which was erected as a court of the church on June 27, 1854. There were hut five members—Rev. TCiomas Burns fModerator), Rev. William Will (ot die Taieri and Waihola districts), and Rev, William Bannerman (of the Clutha and Tokomairiro districts); with two elders, Captain William Cargill Superintendent of the province) and Mr John M'Glashan (clerk of the Presbytery) . The bounds of the Presbytery intended from the middle of the South r sland to the southern coast-line. Up that date the only congregation (the Virst Church) had been under the care if the Presbytery of Edinburgh, Scot'lo6! After the two fresh ministers •rrived, a Presbytery became possible, •nd was soon established. The district overed bv the first Presbytery is now ''copied bv six Presbyteries—that is. ’■olll the Waitaki River. • In place of he one original congregation there are •nw ninety charges, with many preach•ig places, and twenty-seven home mislou stations. Thus has the PresbyChurch grown and expanded nee 1854. The Presbytery of Otago eveloped in course of time into the vnod of Otago and Southland, which as established in January, 1866. The Yesbytery of Otago was the first to ■> established in New Zealand. Auck--nd followed it in 1856, Wellington in The historical importance of the

-ent which is to bo' celebrated on it'ghtieth anniversary is therefore evi'ant. Many representatives of oh 1 imilies in the country districts as we’’ s in Dunedin will be deeply intereste- 1 n the gatherings which are to tak' dace early nest month.