Presbyterian Jubilee

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 379, 28 May 1918, Page 1

Presbyterian Jubilee

IX PUKEKOHE. SO YEARS OF PROGRESS. Sunday last formed a red-letter day in the history of the Presbyterian churchgoers of Pukekohe for fifty years previously the first place of worship in Pukekohe, namely that of the Presbyterian body, had been opened, the same being replaced in course of time by the handsome edifice that now adorns the junction of King and West Streets. INTERESTING HISTORY. The old original building was known as the " Slab Church " and was built on a section of five acres given for the purpose by the Government on land (now owned by Mr John Tozer) situated in what is now known as Nelson Street. In those days the greater part of Pukekohe consisted of standing bush and the timber for this little Church was sawn in the bush by the hands of loyal and faithful settlers. The building was not large ; the floor consisted of Mother Earth, and a small window in the gable admitted light. A table was provided, and a few roughly improvised forms provided suitable sitting accommodation for the worshippers, whose attire was in keeping with the character of the building. j At the time of the opening of the Church in 1868 there were only sixteen Presbyterians in the village, and of those who attended the opening ceremony very few are now living. Mr. William Wightman (of Pukekohe), Mrs. H. Wylie (of Buckland), Major Harris, M.L.C. (of Auckland), Mr. Macdonald (of Takapuna), Mrs. TYm. Routley (of Pukekohe) and Mrs. M. Routley (of Pukekohe) are the only known representatives. ■» Referring to the opening of the Church the " Daily Southern Cross " of May 26th, ißi>B, stated as follows :

The New Presbyterian Church and School at Pukekohe West was formally opened tor Divine Service on Sunday, May 17th inst., on which occasion tile Kev. Mr. Xorrie preached a suitable discourse 011 Ps. 87, verse 5, lo a large and attentive audience. The building was crowded in every corner by a goodly number of the resident settlers, and also bv a numerous company from Pukekohe Kast, and the neighbouring settlements. A collection was made at the close of the service 011 behalf of the building fund and amounted to £2 I2s. Ijd., and which was liberal considering the circumstances of the place and the previous effort put forth in money and labour by these struggling settlers. It is to be remembered also that with the exception of the little aid thus given by the neighbouring settlers on the opening day, 111 e erection has been got up by the immigrant population in the neighbourhood ; and though it is a plain building yet it is comfortable and without debt, and will be a great benefit to the settlement in many ways. Services indeed in connection with the Presbyterian Church have been regularly held in this district for more than two years ; and these have been conducted in Mr. Moore s house kindly granted for the purpose, but no opportunity was afforded for a school which was much required. Happily that difficulty is now overcome, and a day school has already been established under the care of Mr. Bates, who promises to be an acquisition to the district. He has already sixteen scholars and expects a good many more; and it is to be hoped that the settlers will encourage him in his efforts, as his fees are low and he can only be supported by having a goodly number of pupils. The site of five acres of excellent land upon which the Church is built will, in the course of time, be an important help, but in the meantime it has to be improved. A Sunday School is about to be formed, and we hope that the religious and educational progress may be somewhat in keeping with the rapid advancement and growing prosperity of this fertile district."

For a number of years all Protestant Denominations held services within the walls of this First Church of Pukekohe. A Sunday School was immediately inaugurated in connection with the Church, by the Rev. Mr. Norrie, and a Superintendent was found in the person of the late Mr. Joshua Robinson, father of Mr. Watkin Robinson of Pukekohe East. Every Sunday morning, wet or dry, for three years, Mr. Robinson walked over to Pukekohe to conduct the schipol, which began with 16 scholars who had as their teacher Mr; Bates, a gifted and cultured man. Having qualified as an architect Mr. Bates came to New Zealand to seek his fortune. As in those days there was no need for men of his profession, he had to resort to manual labour for a living; and in the capacity of flax-heckler he was discovered by Mr. Norrie, working in a swamp at Papakura. The settlers had no money with which to pay him for his services. He lived in a small nikau whare, and his food was supplied by the mothers of his pupils, diflerent homes contributing butter, bread, cgK s - etc., while the kind-hearted women of those days washed and mended his clothc-s. Mr. Bates was ultimately fortunate in securing a lucrative position under the Government. His position at the school was filled by a remittance man named Brown, who had the reputation of being a highly accomplished penman. He was more fortunate than his predecessor in that he was able to maintain the services of a cook, popularly known as Bob East, who attended to his wants. Mr. Brown was suceeded by Mr. Chilman who, apart from his scholastic duties> formed the first Pukekohe Brass Band which for a number of years proved to be a great acquisition to the township. During the time of the Rev. T. Norrie's ministry Pukekohe was attached to the Presbyterian Charge of Papakura but in the year 1873 it was transferred to the Waiuku Charge under the Rev. James Galloway. In the following year a Manse was built beside the Church at Pukekohe, and Rev. Mr. Galloway went to reside there. During his ministry the increase in the number of worshippers demanded a more commodious building, and in the year 1875 a new and larger Church was erected 011 the site of the first Church. It was not till the end ol the year 1880 that the Charge of Pukekohe was formed with the Rev. T. R. Forbes as minister. In those days the Church and School were in the centre of the settlement, but with the advent of the railway business interests centered round what is now King Street, and by and by it was found necessary to remove the Church to a more central position. The present Church site was secured on behalf of the congregation by the late Mr. James Roulston, and 011 January 2nd, 1898, the present Church was opened for public worship. The old Church with Manse and glebe were sold, the Church building finding a purchaser in Mr. John Bilkey, on whose farm it still does nood service as an onion shed although it was partially destroyed bv fire some 18 months a'. r o. Ministers in Charge. [n the ~>o years there have of course been many changes of Ministers. As previously stated, the Rev T. Norrie was succeeded in 187:5 by the Rev J Galloway. On the hitter's death in iMi the Rev T. R. Forbes was inducted but he resigned in lssl. The siibs" pient appointments were as follows Rev T. VV. Dunn (inducted ISS|. resigned 1^87); Rev W. F. Findlay (inducted 1888, translated to Waikaka 190i);Rev Wm, Watt (inducted 1901, resigded 1904); Rev James Ervine (inducted 11)06, resigned 1907) ; Rev C. A Wedderspoon (inducted 1907, translated coTauranga 1909) •♦and the hev S. Nixon (inducted April 23th. 1910)