CORNWALL'S FIRST ADVENTIST CHURCH
By R. W. DOUGHERTY
SABBATH, October 18th, was a very special day Soon after the end of the last war the conference in the history of our work in Cornwall, for on committee decided to give Cornwall a full-time that day the first Seventh-Day Adventist church in worker and Pastor Victor Benefield answered this the county was dedicated at Liskeard. A civic call. He was followed in turn by Pastors A. J. opening bad taken place on the Wednesday evening Timothy, R. A. Burgess, and R. E. Graham, who previous, when we were honoured to have with all did excellent work in building up the member- us the Mayor of Liskeard, Alderman C. M. Dennis, ship. and the Mayoress. We were also happy to have It has been evident for some time that the pro- Pastor J. H. Bayliss with us for this occasion. gress of the work has been retarded by the lack The progress of the work in Cornwall during of representative places in which to worship. Many the past thirty years has been steady and today a difficulties stood in the way of securing suitable strong membership exists. The pioneers of the mess- church buildings; the membership is scattered, the age in this beautiful western county were faithful groups who meet are comparatively small, and the colporteurs. One of these was the late Brother A. C. cost of property prohibitive. In spite of these diffi- Johnson of Croscombe, who started meetings at culties we are very happy that the Lord opened up St. Mabyn. As we visit Voice of Prophecy interests the way for the Liskeard group to have its own today we often come across books these men placed church building. About eighteen months ago our in the homes years ago. They are usually well attention was directed to a disused Primitive Metho- marked and worn with use. dist chapel, near the centre of the town. This build-
Pastor A. F. Tarr preach- ing at the Dedication Service of the Liskeard church. and Watford. We 'were again -honoured -to have the Mayor and his wife with us, and this time it was his pleasant task to welcome to Liskeard the visiting brethren from Edgware and Watford. We were privileged to have Pastor and Mrs. A. F. Tarr from the Division office, Pastor and Mrs. J. A. McMillan from the Union, and Pastor Bayliss our local con- ference president to be with us for all the services of the day. Pastor Tarr was the preacher at this service and his message was most, inspiring. The dedicatory prayer was offered by Pastor McMillan. The day's services opened as usual with Sabbath school led by Brother Sanders, and the lesson was ably taught by Pastor Benefield. In the afternoon a thought-provoking Bible study was conducted by Pastor McMillan, and this was followed by a testi- mony service led by Pastor Bayliss. Our worship was enriched by the quartet and solos rendered by the Bodmin Gospel Heralds, Mary Blackburn, Margaret Clee, and Leta Bunker. Brother Ken Bunker presided at the Selmer electric organ. It was Pastor Tarr's happy privilege during the morning service to dedicate baby Anita Jane Lowe, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Peter Lowe, who are returning soon to resume their duties in West Africa. Exterior of the recently dedicated church at Liskeard. The church was well' filled again on Sunday evening and we were glad to see many non-Adven- tists join with us in worship. The speakers at this - ing had become redundant about the time our work began in the county, and since 1925 has been used service were Mr. J. P. Bice, deputy Mayor of Lis- as a store. Although the building, was in a dilapi- keard, and Pastor Bayliss. The Mayor -and his dated condition we saw possibilities in it, and after wife joined us in worship for the third time over consultation with conference leaders it was pur- the -week-end. In his address, Pastor Bayliss said chased. that in the past the Gospel had been preached It has now been transformed once again into a in this chapel within the context of Methodism, beautiful church, and this time there is a pleasant now it would be preached within the context of blend of the past and the present. The distinctive Adventism,'- but it is the same Gospel that Wesley features of its external appearance remain un- preached. changed, while the interior which is finished in light Our opening activites were well covered- by- the oak, is completely modern. It has a seating capacity B.B.C. and the local press. On- the Thursday even- of 150. The official civic opening ceremony on Wednes- day evening, October 15th, was performed by the Mayor, and the platform party included the archi- tect, Mr. S. R. Edwards, the builder, Mr. R. Light- foot, and the foreman carpenter, Mr. S. Penter. Brother M. Harding, who played a very important part in the project, was also on the platform. After the opening ceremony these men were intro- duced' to the audience and thanked for their contri- bution toward the restoration of the building. Each suitably replied. We were disappointed that the Mayor was unable to stay with us for the whole programme due, to a previous appointment, but the Mayoress remained with us and accepted on behalf of her husband and herself a set of Pastor W. L. Emmerson's books, Footprints of Jesus. The architect, the builder, and the carpenter also received a set each suitably inscribed. Pastor Bayliss in his address reminded the audience that the light which once shone from this building, but eventually faded out, had been rekindled once again. This appealed to the older people present, for many of them had attended Sunday school in this building. The dedication service was conducted the follow- ing Sabbath morning, when the Cornish members were joined by visitors from Plymouth, Torquay, Interior of the beautifully appointed church. :4 BR,ITISII ADVENT MESSENGER ing the B.B.C. gave a good report of the civic whose sacrifice included many hours of hard work, opening in its West Region V,H.F. local news pro- for he was entirely responsible for the wiring of the gramme which follows the six o'clock national news. building. Every member, old and young, did some- The press gave us a total of seventy column inches. thing to help and did it willingly, and the Lord We enjoy a very cordial relationship with the press will bless them for it. We would also thank the in Cornwall, and we have been assured of their South England Conference committee for the co-operation in keeping Adventist activities before generous contribution they made toward the pro- the minds of their readers. ject. Most of all we thank the Lord for His abundant Today, Seventh-Day Adventists are well known blessing. throughout Cornwall, and we have good reason We extend to all who read this report an invi- to believe that we are highly respected by many tation to spend your vacation next summer in the influential people in the county. This new church relaxing and salubrious atmosphere of this beautiful will give us an even better standing with the Cornish county, and enjoy the happy fellowship of Cornish people, and it will give a sense of permanence to Adventists, whether at worship on Sabbaths or at our work. We believe too that it will contribute to recreation on Sundays on one of the many lovely a more rapid growth of our membership in the little beaches where our young people spend many days ahead. happy hours. We would again express our appreciation to all May we ask you to remember us in your prayers who helped to give Cornwall its first Seventh-Day too as we endeavour to advance the cause of God Adventist church, and especially to Brother Harding and hasten the coming of Jesus.