Te Henui Church.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7856, 23 June 1905, Page 2

Te Henui Church.

DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATION. It may safely be said that never since there has been a church at le Menu, has there been gathered within its walls such a congregation as that which filled the building to its utmost capacity on Thursday afternoon when the Diamond Jubilee erf tne Chun* was celebrated. In*«* t «? g had been sent to as many of Itcow inhabitants and church attendants of the district as could be thought ot, s». there was tho fitting co-mingling of past and present which such an icaision demanded. It all respects a memorable gathering, marking, not only an epoch in the history of church work, but also testifying, to the marvellous expansion and prosperity ot the district Bincc thq original primitive structure was built at tho cost of Bishop Selwyn, to whose memory a brass tablot, the gift of tho present Cumte*n-charge, was dedicated as part of the proceedings. The clergy who took part in the special Jubilee service on Thursdaj afternoon were :—The Ven. ArchJ-n----con Cole, the Rev. F. (5. Bvani (Uural Dean), Fowler (Curato-in-Dent (Vicar of Wnitarn), : Watson (Vicar of Stra«>rd>, Yousj , (Vicar of Okato, etc.), and lliac'i/urj

(Curate-im-charge of tho Wcstown district of St. Mary's). A large contingent from St. Mary's choir assifitttd tfl the choral service, ond Mr Kletchcr presided at the organ. Special psalms and lessons lent additional significance to tho special occasion. Thj sermon was preached by the Kev.

Vt'utson, who took for his text: "I i had nuther be a doorkeeper in the house of triy God, than dwell in the tents ol ungodliness." He eloquently contrasted the state of affairs which existed when the early "I'ilgrjui Fathers" first met to worship in the raupo-roofed churcS, tho only church in the district, and tho conditions which exist to-day, with good roads and churches planted in every township of Taranaki. He paid a warm tipbuta to Bishop Selwyn, and n»pressed on his hearers that if they were to bo true and loyal to the heritage they had received tinrough the noble work of that saintly Hishop they must fight for the faith and against sin. After the collection had been tako'n up in aid of the fund for a new bell, Archdeacon Cole pro-

nkninccd tho Benedlctiion, and the ci>i't'i>ogation adjourned to the church grounds, where a photograph was taken of the group of those present. Afternoon tea was supplied in tho Parish Hall, and ns many of tho visitors had come from a distance, this kindly attention was much appreciated. Amongst those present at tho Jubilee were representatives of the following families who were in the district at the time the first church was built:—Kcwlaud, Hamblyn, Barriuull, Voale, Smart, Carrington, Govett, Smith, Skinner, Dingle, Bayly, Webster, Cutfield, Chihnan. Devonian, Street, Rowe, Huberts. Pot*, Hoekin, Davy. Wataon, sitcr and James. MEMOIUAL TABLET TO BISHOP SELWYN. Tho tablet erected to tho memory of Bishop Selwyn, the hulWer of the, original church, was inscribed aa under : "Hcmember in the Lord Goo. Aug* Selwyn, Bishop of New Zealand. Ho Founded this Church in the Year of Our Lord, .1845.'!

The tablet ia placed on the northern wall of the church, immediately facing the entrance, and the solemn dedication prayers wero olTcred by Archdeacon Qole.

THE CONVERSAZIJONE. In tile evening a conversazione was held n the Parish Hall, a very large number of people interested 'in the church and church work being proscnU An cxcclletvL programme of vpcal and instrumental music had been arranged, and the various items were excellently rendered as follows:—Orchestral selections (2), Messrs Deare (flute). Salt and Jones (violin), Golding (piano) ; violin solos (2), Herr Locsch ; sang, ' Mjs» Nixon (encored); song, Mr itinnington.

The Hov. Fowler, who presided, gave a brief but very appropriate address, in which ho referred to Uw vast changes that had token place in To Hcnui and Newi Plymouth sinco Bishop Sclwyn's day, and the peculiar gratification it afforded him to tako part in the Jubilee service, and especially to do hkmour to Bishop Sclwjn. Us intimated his intention of collecting: all available information relative to tie Church and district, and compiling a journal as aiv h stone record. Ho warmly thanKed all thosa who had in any way assisted in the proceedings. Mr W. H. Skinner gave a most interesting account of the foundation of the church, and the early history of the district, details of whfch will be published in another Issue. After refreshments were handed round, a very pleasant evening w a s closwi with the National AlutiteL,