Church celebrates 75 years

Ruapehu Bulletin, 21 December 1993, Page 6

Church celebrates 75 years

St Andrews Presbyterian Church, Ohakune, held a 75th anniversary celebration on Sunday 12 December with a worship service and luncheon. The Sunday school children presented a Christmas play assisted by Carol Chapman. Visitors included: Jocelyn Labrum, Wanganui Presbytery moderator, who stressed the importance of the church family and the importance of the church to her as she grew up in the Waimarino, and Reverend Colin Sherriff, who reminisced

about his happy times as Parish minister from 195359, when timber mills and the Railway were large employers. During his ministry the two church halls were obtained from Carter's Mill at Potaka, joined together and refurbished. Included were letters written about the replacement of the church roof, finally the Right Honourable Bob Semple came up with the solution of concrete piles used for state housing as iron was in short supply till the 1950's. The anniversary cake

was cut by Jean Tocker who with E Thompson were in early Sunday school photographs. Six years of special dispensation by the Presbyte-

rian Church to administer the sacraments by a lay person end for Ces and Lola Goodwin who are retiring to Taihape at Christmas owing to ill health.