ST JOHN’S CHURCH.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 573, 20 April 1876, Page 2

ST JOHN’S CHURCH.

The annual meeting of the parishioners of St John’s was held last evening, in the school house opposite the church. The incumbent, the Rev H. C. M, Watson, occupied the chair, and there was a very good attendance of parishioners, including several ladies.

The following report was read : “ The Vestry beg to present the report for the year ending March 31st, 1876: —1n accordance with the recommendation of the report of last year, the Vestry obtained the assistance of the ladies of the congregation to establish a parochial fund. Very great success attended the efforts of those who, in response to the invitation, became collectors. A sum of £220 11s was collected by them during the year (see statement annexed). Of this amount the sum of £129 8s 6d (including £ls Os 6d organ recital offertory, £144 9s) is still available for the purposefor which it was collected. In this counexion it should be mentioned that one lady undertook, at her own responsibility, to improve the organ front, and for this object contributed the sum of £lO. The handsome screen work, which completes the additions to the organ, is due to her labours. It is to be hoped that other ladies will follow this example, and undertake some special work to improve and beautify the fabric of the church. Should any be disposed to do so, it may be suggested that a new set of choir surplices is greatly needed ; that the seats of the church require cleaning and staining ; that the gas burners might be improved ; that a stained window is not beyond the means of one who has some time at her disposal. All the ladies above referred to deserve the hearty thanks of the parishioners for their continuous and disinterested efforts. It will be seen from their financial statement that the receipts from parochial sources have been larger than in previous years. The following comparative statement clearly shows this. Receipts for the year ending March 31st, 1874—Offertories, £460 5s 5d ; seat rents, £269 3s 4d ; total, £729 8s 9d ; for the year 1875—Offertories,, £497 18s 9d ; seat rents, £293 ; total, £772 18s 9d ; for the year 1876—Offertories, £482 13s 6d (omitting offertory at organ recital, £ls 6s6d); seat rents, £3Ol ; total, £783 13s 6d, The Easter offering is omitted from each year’s receipts. From all parochial sources the total amount received during the year has £ll6l 9s. The increase of nearly £IOO to the indebtedness of the parish is due to the expenses attending the establishment of the Waltham mission. The vestry are glad to believe that the services and Sunday school established in that locality are likely to be successful. They are at present conducted by the Revs H. B. Cocks and B. H. Wyatt. An application has been made to the standing committee for the sum of £451 towards repairing and enlarging the parsonage. No reply has yet been received. Signed on behalf of the vestry. John Aikin, churchwarden, W. Wilson, vestryman. St John’s vestry room, Easter, 1876.” Mr Leech proposed, and Mr Rose seconded, the adoption of the report and statement, and the motion was carried unanimously.

Seme discussion arose as to whether all the balance in hand should be expended in the purchase of a bell or not. On Mr W. Wi’son offering to present a bell to the parish, it was resolved on the motion of Mr Holloway, seconded by Mr Cunningham—“ That Mr W. Wilson’s generous offer be thankfully accepted." Mr W. D. Carruthers was appointed clergyman’s warden, and Mr Aitken parishioners’ warden.

The following gentlemen were elected to serve on the vestry:—Messrs Thompson, Hargreaves, Hesketh, Hobday, Holloway, Rose, Murphy, Packer, and W. Wilson, Votes of thanks were passed to the choir, the teachers of the Sunday school, the lady collectors, to the lady contributor to the organ fund, to the retiring warden and vestrymen, and to Mr Anthony, the late verger’

A vote of thanks to the Revd chairman concluded the proceedings.