PRESBYTERIANS HOLD HISTORIC MEETING

Taupo Times, Volume IV, Issue 196, 28 October 1955, Page 7

PRESBYTERIANS HOLD HISTORIC MEETING

Local Church Union Planned On Tuesday, October 11, an historic event in Presbyterian Church annals took place in Taupo when, for the first time, the Bay of Plenty Presbytery held its bi-monthly meeting in St. Paul's Church. The immediate occasion of the visit was the dedication of the new manse in Wheretia Street. The Rev. J. A. Park, of Edgecumbe, presided. At the same time the Presbyterian Association, consisting of representatives from all the Presbyterian Women \s Missionary Unions in tne Bay of Plenty, met in the supper room of the War Memorial II all, Ihe two meetings bringing some 60 visitors to Taupo. Botli Presbytery and P.A. members were entertained to morning tea, lunch and after noon tea by the Taupo P.W.M.U. From the local point of view the most important business before Presbytery was an application from St. Paul's Church to be made an Aided Charge, this meaning that it would be under the control of a fully orciained minister. Presbytery granted the application and steps were taken for the appointment of a minister at an early date. For some time past Taupo members of the Methodist and Presbyterian Cliurches have considered the question of forming a single church. and an application came before Presbytery asking that the necessary steps be taken to establish a Union Church in Taupo accordingly. This being a matter to be dealt with by the Methodist Conference and the Presbytery Assembly, it will be some time before finality is reached, but it is confidently hoped that the two churches will be able to joiu forces in the near future.