CHURCH ANNIVERSARY

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 129, 22 August 1927, Page 12

CHURCH ANNIVERSARY

ST. JOHN’S, PAPATOETOE Special services conducted at St. John's Presbyterian Church, Papatoetoe, on Sunday, commemorated the anniversary of the first service held in Papatoetoe 73 years ago. It was on Sunday, August 20, 1804, when the Rev. John Macky with his wife and children, also_ his father, mother and sister, landed in Auckland. He was sent out by the Irish Presbyterian Church, having been minister of Kahau, in the Presbytery of Derry, for 12 years. The family came out in the ship Cashmere. He preached in St. Andrew's Church, Auckland, on the Sunday morning of his arrival, and in the afternoon at Baird’s store, situated on the banks of the Tamaki River. He thus began a ministry of some 36 years. Other ministers have been the Revs. J. Steele, A. Donald, C. Porter and the present minister, the Rev. T. H. Roseveare. The first church building was erected in 1855, and was also used as the school for some time. The next church was built in 1863, on the same section, which had been donated _by Mr. T. Baird. The third church building is the imposing brick structure which acts as a landmark on the Great South Road. This building was opened four years ago. The anniversary services were conducted by the Rev. T. H. Roseveare, who preached to large congregations at both morning and evening services.