BALMORAL PRESBYTERIANS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1052, 16 August 1930, Page 10

BALMORAL PRESBYTERIANS

ANNIVERSARY OF CHURCH Tomorrow is the forty-second anniversary of the Balmoral Presbyterian Church. It will be a “red letter” day for tho congregation, special services being conducted by the Rev. G. H. Gilbert, of Hamilton. The church was founded on August 6, ISBS. Some years before this Mr. Duncan Macpherson started a Sunday school and held services in a house. Mrs. Agnes 1 Dick, who is the oldest living member of the church, recalls the commencement of services in the district. Valuable assistance was given by the congregation of St. David’s. Several ministers—the: Rev. J. Lothian, the Rev. W. Rule, the Rev. J. Fraser, the Rev. A. Miller and the Rev. J. D. McKenzie—have played a large part in the church’s development. Since the induction three years ago of the Rev. W. Gilmour, the congregation has been almost doubled, the old church enlarged, two halls finished and the old manse pulled down, a new building being erected. Many outstanding men have been connected with the community enterprises of the church during the last three years, including the Moderator of the General Assembly, the Rt. Rev. George Budd; the Mayor of Mount Albert, Mr. L. E. Rhodes; Mr. G. C Munns, M.P.; Mr. Cutten. S.M.; Sir Harry Lauder, and Sir Charles Fergusson, the former Governor-General. At present there are 22 activities carrying on their work in the buildings of the church. The choir, under the leadership of Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Harvey, is considered one of the best in the City. On Wednesday -evening a congregational social is to be held.