EKETAHUNA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 October 1939, Page 7

EKETAHUNA

METHODIST CHURCH GOLDEN JUBILEE SERVICES. ("Times-Age” Special.) The golden jubilee services and celebrations of the Eketahuna Methodist Church began on Sunday, when three services were held. A number of former members were present, and extra accommodation had to be provided for the large congregations. The church was decorated with masses of beautiful flowers, and the .preacher at all services was the Rev. Angus Mcßean, president of the conference and former minister of the Eketahuna church. The celebrations continued today and tonight. Methodism in the Wairarapa dates back to 1875, when occasional visits were paid by the Rev. E. Neilsen and his successors. In 1880, a Wesleyan preacher, Mr William Bayliss, settled in Eketahuna, and in June of that year regular weekly services began. A church was started in 1888, and the first service held in the ' newly-completed building on January 27, 1889. Later a new church was built and the original building was converted into a schoolI room. The foundation stone of the new building was laid by the Rev. W. G. Parsonson, president of the conference, on September 1, 1898. and the church was officially opened the following month. From that day the work of the Methodist Church in Eketahuna has gone forward, and its present flourishing condition is a tribute to the work and selflessness of its workers. The first minister appointed to Eketahuna was the Rev. S. H. D. Perryman in 1894 and his successors have been 1896-7, L. J. Ryan; 1898-1900. W. Dawson: 1901. T. -Testrail; 1902-4, J. W. Worboys; 1905-7, G. T. Marshall; 190811, J. J. Pendray; 1912-15, A. Mcßean; 1916-17, C. B. Jordan; 1918-21, J. W. Parker; 1922-3, S. S. Green; 1924-27, H. Spencer; 1928-30, J. H. Bailey; 1931-35. H. Benny; 1936-37, S. Hindmarsh; 1938. R. P. Keall. In October, 1894, the trustees agreed that there was need for the church to I be enlarged, but at a later meeting the suggestion of the late Mr C. E. Daniell, of Masterton, was approved that funds be gathered to erect a new church and so make the original church available as a schoolroom.