BUILT IN A DAY.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 773, 6 October 1922, Page 5

BUILT IN A DAY.

CHURCH ON PUKEKOHE HILL. PROGRESSIVE CHURCH OF CHRIST. Some months ago a few members of the ChOrch of Christ., resident on the Pukekohe Hill, discussed the possibility of starting a church and Sunday school on the Hill. A visiting student suggested a fellowship meeting in a house, which, la/ter, resulted in services being held regularly in Mr A;. Donald’s house. A committee was formed consisting of Messrs A. Donald, Ei. Pook, T. E. Commell,- C. Scadden, and Mrs Gathercole, Mr A, Donald being appointed secretary;, and for some months successful meetings were held. Enthusiasm increased and it was later, decided to accept Mr Donald’s offer to lease a corner of his section and erect a building. Nearly ,£IOO was promised for material by the friends and it was resolved to proceed immediately with the building. A good deal of assistance has been given by Mr F. Perkins, who supplied the timber;, etc, at cost price, which willing helpers carted free. Others prepared the ground, levelling and putting in blocks. On Saturday, the 32r.d September, all hands were at work at dawn, and about nine o’clock a char-a-banc containing 30 he/pers from Auckland arrived to help to erect the church in one dajj, under the supervision of Mr JT, E. Cammed. Everybody was given a job, pajLnt flew, nails disappeared;, thumbs were made sore and by noon the structure was up with some boards on, and keen competition raging between the floorers and roofers. The ladies rendered excellent service preparing meals for the workers, who were entertained royally, People returning from Pukekohe in the afternoon were surprised to see a church erected where a few hours before! there was no building. Photographs were taken as the work progressed!, at 10, 12 and 4 o’clock. By 6 o’clock the church was prac'tially ready for worship. Sunday was a beautiful day and' a good cirowd met to worship in the new church for the first Slime. The morning addresses were delivered by Messrs R. Bebbie, B.A. and T. Turner, of the Ponsonby Road Church of Christ, Auckland. At both services an enthusiastic send off was given to the new cause.

After a song service in the evening Mr Gebbie reminded his hearers that there was no other church within itwo miles and that the! Church of Christ stood for church unity, All were welcome who went to no place of worsh/p and others were invited who were not able to travel the distance to their own churches He said some people were dogmatic over non-essentials in church dbctrine, and slack over the principals. The church stood for dogmatism on the Fatherhood of God, the brotherhood of man,, sinful man’s need of Godt God’s love, manifested in CWrist and the| Kingship of Jesus Christ. The preacher concluded by urging his hearers to make Jesus Christ King of /their lives. The services are to be continued and at present Mr T. Turner is officiating on the platform. It is expected that continued assistance will be given from Auckland' in the way of preachers, who will be assisted by local brethren. The community sing before the evening services is to be continued.