AFTER 75 YEARS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 93, 11 July 1927, Page 14

AFTER 75 YEARS

NEW HALL FOR BERESFORD ST. CHURCH

A sign of the progress of the Beresford Street Congregational Church, which is 75 years old. was the laying of the foundation-stone of the social hall and Sunday school on Saturday afternoon. The minister, Rev. Lionel B. Fletcher, and the oldest member and senior deacon, Mr. F. W. Matthews, laid the stone. The Moderator of the Congregational Church, the Rev. H*. Johnson, conducted a brief service in the church before the laying of the stone, and afterwards the addresses were given inside. Mr. Matthews, who was present at the opening of the church 75 years ago, said that the original school was built In 1864. Ten years later the building adjoining the present church was erected, and was used both as a church and as a school. At this time he was appointed superintendent of the school, but five years later his business carried him to Wairoa. In 1886 he returned to Auckland, and found there was a general lack of enthusiasm, and tl\e Sunday school building itself required extensive improvements. Before consenting to act ns superintendent for a further term \ he insisted bn these being carried out. and the school then commenced to make progress again. The Rev. Fletcher said that the schol had done great work in training young life to appreciate the Bible i and to be conscious of the love of Christ. “New Zealand at present is surrounded by conflicting forces,” Mr. Fletcher added. “On the one hand there are forces that seem to tear down all that is beautiful and sacred.” The Rev. Evan Harried, of St. James’s Presbyterian Church, and the Rev. Ivas S. Stebbins, of Green Lane Congregational Church, were also present. - =~