OBITUARY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5004, 23 July 1926, Page 2

OBITUARY.

REV. JAMES PATERSON. The Rev. James Paterson, the veteran Presbyterian minister, passed away at his residence, in Buller Street, Wellington, shortly after one o’clock on Wednesday morning, at the great age of 97 years. The late Rev. James Paterson was a native of Argyllshire, Scotland. He was born in the parish of Kirkosr walde, and was primarily educated at the Grammar School, Girvan, studying afterwards at the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. He received his theological training at the Free church College, Edinburgh, and having passed through the regular course of study prescribed by the Church, he received a call to St. Peter’s, in Liverpool!, in connection wit the Presbyterian Church in England, and was ordained and inducted into that charge in April, 1857. In 1866 a large body of his, congregation moved to a new church in Everton. Valley, where Mr Paterson continued until 1868. He then resigned that charge to accept a call to the, pastorate of St. John’s Church. Wellington, He arrived there in August of that year, was inducted in November following, and retained the position until his* resignation, when he was succeeded by the Rev, Dr. Gibb, but continued to hold the position of senior minister until his death. Mr Paterson was a trustee of the Presbyterian Church, and at one time was convener of the Church Extension Committee for New Zealand (Otago and Southland excepted).. He had held the position of moderator of the presbytery, and in 1876 was moderator of the general assembly of the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand. In former yeai*S he was actively interested in educational matters, was a. fellow ot the New Zealand University, and rendered valuable service as a. member of the Education Board ■a'lnd the Board of Governors of the Wellington! College and Girls’ High School. After his retirement from the pastorate of St. John’s Mr and Mrs Paterson revisited the Old Country, and on their return Mr Paterson, finding his energies -unimpaired,- did a good deal of relief work in the North Island, Mrs Paterson died about fifteen years ago. The family consists of two daughters, one of whom is Mrs E. W. PoiTitt, of Paeroa, and one son.