The 150th Anniversary Of St Paul’s
On the weekend of 25-27 April 2008 the parish celebrated its 150th anniversary. Events included:
Friday night : A welcome and mix ‘n mingle
Saturday : A bus trip and Bible Class gathering, and in the evening a celebratory dinner
Sunday : a celebration service
A NARRATION OF THE HISTORY OF ST PAUL’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, NAPIER
AS PRESENTED AT THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION DINNER
SATURDAY 26TH APRIL 2008.
What a grand evening, what an august gathering of dignitaries and guests we have sitting before us wondering what the heck we are about to do. As the Hymn goes “We Have the Whole World in Our Hands” now they are really wondering what sort of an evening they are in for.
Tonight reminds us a little of the Academy Awards. We have no statuettes or Oscars to hand out but as presenters we have the honour and privilege this evening of gathering up and presenting memories of the life of St Paul’s Presbyterian Church here in Napier. Memories of the past, many of them going back well beyond any of our memories, and some of the more recent past.
We remember with gratitude those pioneers who, led by the Rev Dr David Bruce back in 1858, had the faith, vision and foresight to establish St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Napier.
They could not have foreseen how the parish or city would develop, but had faith in God and the future. Like many organisations founded in the city of Napier, St Paul’s had its beginnings in the Royal Hotel in Carlyle Street, - bet you they had communion on a more regular basis.
We are grateful for those who at various stages throughout our 150 years of history sought to embody their faith in the buildings that were erected, and sadly in the case of St. Paul‘s, often burnt down! To quote the etchings inscribed on the three arches on Napier’s Marine Parade
• Without Vision The People Perish
• Courage is the thing, All goes if courage goes
• The Pathway to Power Lies through Service
Each of these quotations are equally applicable to St Paul’s as they are to the city for with the Courage, Vision & Service displayed by all those in this parish who have gone before us, we, the parishioners of St Paul’s, today are the recipients and beneficiaries of the sacrifices made by many many people in the past and for that we are eternally grateful.
We know that a church is all of its people. A minister does not a church make. All the same we would like to personalise the 11 ministers we’ve had, to try to give a face to the congregations of the time.
Like us, these men had varied talents and experiences. There were: scholars, a horseman, cricketers, and fathers, and one who sailed on sailing ships for 4 years. There were moderators of the National Assembly, missionaries, sick men, probably some sick-of-committee men. There were five born in Scotland.
There were stern men, funny men, all of them fine men. No women but there were 10 wives, and their children, who had to live with the varied, and possibly conflicting expectations of the congregations.
1. The Rev Dr Peter Barclay, appointed by the Colonial Committee of the Free Church of Scotland arrived in New Zealand, aged 29, in 1859. For 6 years he was the only Presbyterian minister in Hawke’s Bay. St Paul’s Church was the second christian but first Presbyterian Church built in Hawke’s Bay. However, more important than a building was the building of the congregation. At the 1866 General Assembly he suggested hymns be added to psalms and paraphrases in worship.
2. Our second minister, Rev George Morrice persevered and seconded such a motion about hymns at the next Assembly. Change doesn’t always happen quickly in the church. St Paul’s helped lead the way to hymns! Mr. Morrice contributed to Napier’s life by holding popular Shakespeare evenings. In the late 1860s he traveled to Wairoa each month to take services there.
3. The Very Rev Dr David Sidey was a powerful preacher and a renowned teacher of students for the ministry. He was Moderator of the General Assembly in 1878. He once told his granddaughter, “Never shirk responsibility, for the power will be given to you.”
4. The Rev James Paterson was inducted in 1884 and saw the church enlarged twice. Perhaps this was because on Monday mornings he visited all those who hadn’t attended the Sunday service! The visits no doubt had a light-hearted touch as apparently Mr. Paterson would have rivaled our much loved Ernest Brown with his anecdotes.
5. The Very Rev John Asher was said to have an outstanding literary gift and a life enriched by friendships. His 37 year ministry at St Paul’s saw the congregation face disasters. The old wooden church, with its magnificent organ burnt down in 1929. The new church, before it could be used, was destroyed by the earthquake and fire of 1931. An undaunted optimism in the future prevailed and a new church was built again to accommodate 450 people.
6. The Very Rev Donald MacDairmid’s ministry here was cut short when he was appointed first Director of Missions. He was a remarkable man; this I know because he was married to my grandmother’s sister. He was one half of the Uncle Don and Auntie Phoebe team, so let’s not forget the ministers’ wives and their contributions!
7. The Rev Stuart Francis is said to have brought with him the “dew and enthusiasm of youth”…a bit like Colin! Remember? The war years made his pastoral role important for many grieving families. It’s reported that he had a bright and cheerful disposition that brought a renewal of spirit to those around him.
8. The Rev Angus McKenzie was an able Maori scholar. His sermons were well-prepared and had a strong evangelical note. His health was not good yet he is remembered for his unstinting work to meet the needs of his parishioners, still affected by World War II.
9 The Very Rev James L Gray (notice we’re up to our fourth “Very Rev”, our fourth moderator, I wonder if their kids thought they were very reverant reverands) J.L. Gray was a warm-hearted, scholarly man. Communicant membership in the early 1950s stood at 511.
I remember the Grays from their time in India. Incidentally, his wife Marion was present for the birth of my father over 86 years ago in Jagadhri and also at his 70th birthday party. She used to wear red lipstick, liked to dance was terribly funny and witty with a strong Scottish accent. From her I learned it could be fun to be a Presbyterian.
10 Our beloved Rev W. Ron Hay, supported by his gentle wife Eileen, was our 10th minister from 1957 to 1982. For one day he was also minister for the Queen! It was during his time that St Peter’s, later to become St Stephens, was established in Onekawa. Many here will remember and value Ron’s well-considered sermons. We remember his smile, his kindness and service.
11. Colin and Barbara. How could you possibly follow in these footsteps? The pioneers, the scholars, the centuries of service? It has been clear to all that there is only one set of footsteps you wish to follow. For 26 years you have taught us about the grace of God. You were a signatory to the Inner City Churches’ Covenant. You have challenged us to change with the times, while keeping the essence of the past.
You combine intellectual depth with clarity and simplicity and also a personal engagement with others. I would go as far as to say you are one of the finest teachers in our church. Barbara, we appreciate your contribution and also your hymn writing. Thank you both for your part in our history.
We recall the vast number of people who have worshipped at St. Paul’s over the years. The different styles of services, the different lengths of services, oh yes there were some lengthy ones, but all arising out of a common faith. Like our Ministers the main office bearers of the Parish have been long stayers.
Session Clerks - 7 recorded over a 111 year period, commencing in 1897 with
James King followed by
William McCulloch
James King
John S Butler
C.D. Wilson
Bruce McConnochie
To our current Session Clerk Alan Hoggarth
Secretaries to Board of Managers - 9 recorded over a 111 year period, commencing in 1897 with
W. Armstrong followed by
J.R.Crerar
R.C. Runciman
M.S.Spence
A.R.Arnold
C.Boyd
R. Sanderson
E.Godfrey
To our current Secretary to the Board of Managers Miss Liz Willis, who has held the position for some 17 years.
Parish Treasurers - 9 recorded over a 111 year period
J.W.Craig followed by
R.A.Wilson
R.C.Runciman
W.G.Bell
P.R.Fulton
R.C.Runciman
M.S.Spence
F.S.Ashton
Then to our current Treasurer, Mrs. Jill McConnochie, who has held this office for some 31 years
Just a word of advice to anyone considering taking on any of these offices in the future just remember you will be expected to stick around for some considerable time.
Also worthy of mention are folk like the Tebay’s .the Hayward’s. the Boyd’s, the Mulder’s, the McConnochie’s, the Morgan’s, the Arnolds, , the Davidson’s, the Wall’s, the Brown’s, Alison & Jack Wright, Flora Wilson, Betty Avison, Marjory Davies, Shirley Bell, and many others like them who were or are still stalwarts of St Paul’s and who had & have special relationships and outreach with parishioners and community alike.
We remember the leaders in various fields in the life of the parish Please put a name or a face to:- the Musicians, Sunday School Teachers, Bible Class Leaders, Elders, Managers, Church Officers, Child and Family Worker, Thrift Shop Helpers, Church Cleaners, and a host of others who have helped maintain the work and mission of the congregations both past and present.
We also acknowledge the rich diversity of groups: Women’s groups, Fellowship and Guild, Stitches Group, Bowls, Badminton, Bible Study Groups, Philemon Fellowship, Scouts, Cubs, Guides and Brownies. These are all an integral part of life within of our parish.
We are grateful that ours has been an ecumenical journey with our brothers and sisters in Christ, and especially of more recent years our fellowship with the other inner city churches, the people of St. John’s, St. Patrick’s and Trinity Methodist.
Closer to home has been the recent coming together of St. Paul’s and St. Stephen’s. Life sometimes seems to move in circles and just as Napier West Parish was established by the people of St. Paul’s some 40 plus years ago. With the shifting of the old wooden St John’s Cathedral moved from the city out to the new suburb of Onekawa, and Rev Ron Hay, Miss Flora Wilson, and former St Paul’s Elders like Duncan White, Rod Easthope, Peter Jacka, Charles McManus John King, and many others involved in establishing and leading St Peters, as the church was first known, into and through what was to be an incredible journey of faith.
It has been good to see the two parishes again come together as one family with the combined strength that the two groups give to the parish working for the Glory of God & the community of Napier.
From this unification we acknowledge the outreach being done by the Napier Family Centre which now occupies and operates from the former St Stephen’s church complex. All this has been an enriching part of our journey and long may it continue.
It is interesting to note when one has researched some of the history of St Paul’s that during the time of the 1931 earthquake the congregation of St Paul’s worshipped with the Congregationalists at the former Congregational Church in Carlyle Street with the Congregational Minister Rev Frank de Lisle and our own Rev John Asher preaching in turn.
The Congregational Church Family when it closed its church in Napier in 1969 united with what was then the Napier West Parish and we acknowledge that many are strong members of the St Paul’s congregation today.
1973 saw the amalgamation of St David’s Presbyterian Church with Napier West and again many of those folk are now belong to and are worshipping at St Paul’s.
So our ecumenical journeys have been many and varied but all have been journeys of faith and unity in God’s Great Work.
The most important part of our journey has been people, and that is why it is so great to have everyone here this evening. We in turn represent friends and loved ones no longer with us, too many to name individually. We remember them with great warmth and affection.
Where ever the future may lead us, and whatever our future may be, it will be with our fellow-Christians and as always, upheld and guided by God.
Yesterday is already a dream,
And tomorrow is only a vision
But today, well lived,
Makes yesterday a dream of happiness
And every tomorrow a Vision of hope.
