ALFRISTON CHURCH CELEBRATES JUBILEE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 212, 26 November 1927, Page 11

ALFRISTON CHURCH CELEBRATES JUBILEE

FIFTY YEARS IN PAPAKURA VALLEY Tucked away in the Papakura Valley is the little church of Alf riston. Fifty years have passed since the church was built, and to-mor-row Archbishop Averill will preach at the jubilee celebrations. The Papakura Valley has seen stirring times, dating back to the days when the Maoris were troublesome. Just near where the Alfriston Hall now stands the Forest Rangers met : and dispersed a number of unfriendly Maoris. The early history of the ministrations by clergy of the scattered districts round Papakura is one of endurance and fortitude. Away back in 1850 Church of England services were conducted once a quarter at Pukekohe, Papakura Valley, Drury, Hunua and Ramarama by the Rev. J. F. Lloyd, who afterwards went to St. ' Paul’s Church, Auckland. Until IS6O clergy from Auckland visited the scattered districts, but in that year Bishop Selwyn appointed the Rev. R. A. Hall to Howick and services were held more regularly. Ten years later it was decided to build a church in the Papakura Valley. The building was completed in the following year and the first confirmation took place on November 11, 1876. The Rev. W. C. Wood took charge of Christ Church, Alfriston, in 1910 and in 1921 it was decided to create a separate district there. A few years

ago the parochial district of Clevfdon was formed and the Rev. W. H. Rattray, the present vicar of Christ Church, had charge of it. To-morrow the morning services at Christ Church, Alfriston, will be taken by the archibshop and tho evening service by Archdeacon Simkin. There will be a social reunion next Tuesday.