From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979

Page 1

From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979

"FROM QUIET HOMES AND FIRST BEGINNING"* 1879-1979

A History of the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches in Upper Hutt who, in 1976, joined together to form the Upper Hutt Co-operating Parish.

By M. E. EVANS

Published by THE UPPER HUTT CO-OPERATING PARISH Benzie Avenue, Upper Hutt, New Zealand 1979

*Title quotation from "Dedicatory Ode" by Hilaire Belloc. Digitized by Alec Utting 2015

Page 2 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 CONTENTS Acknowledgements Introduction ... THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 1879-1976 St David's In the beginning, 1897-1904 .... Church Extension, Mission Charge and Home Mission Station, 1904-23 Fully Sanctioned Charge. James Holmes and Wi Tako—1924-27 The Fruitful Years—1928-38 .... Division of the Parish—1938-53 Second Division—The Movement North —1952-59 .... "In My End is My Beginning"—1960-76

Iona St Andrew's THE METHODIST CHURCH, 1883-1976 Whitemans Valley—1883-1927 .... Part of Hutt Circuit—1927-55 .... Independent Circuit: The Years of Expansion—1955-68 Wesley Centre and the Rev. J. S. Olds .... Circuit Stewards of the Upper Hutt Methodist Church—1927-76 OTHER FACETS OF PARISH LIFE Women's Groups Youth Work .... THE CO-OPERATING PARISH, 1976-79 To the Present And Towards the Future

SOURCE OF INFORMATION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

PHOTOS AROUND THE PARISH IN 1979

OUTREACH TO THE FUTURE BROWN OWL CENTRE

Page 3 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS It is my pleasure to thank Mrs M. E. Evans, on behalf of the parish, for writing this history. It is a work well done, and I am sure it will be appreciated by many readers. Time was against her and records have not always been carefully kept and this made it all the harder to achieve a balanced account. Be that as it may, Mrs Evans has brought "minutes" and "resolutions" to life, so much so that readers will discern something of the faithful witness of many people who lived and worked for their Lord in the past. Thanks also to those who made photographs available and those who contributed in other ways to the interest of this book. I. A. MILNER Thy hand O God has guided they flock from age to age; The wondrous tale is written, full clear, on every page; Our fathers owned thy goodness, and we their deeds record; And both of this bear witness, one Church, one faith, one Lord.

My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings and in quiet resting places. Isaiah 32, 18

Today’s ministers with their support team. From left: Mr Noel McCarthy, Rev. Ian Milner, Mrs Esme Baxter, Mrs Gwen Johnston, Rev.Dr. Colin Sherriff, Rev. Graeme McIvor

Page 4 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 INTRODUCTION The Co-operating Parish The Upper Hutt Co-operating Parish includes the three Presbyterian parishes of Iona, St David's and St Andrew's together with the Upper Hutt Methodist Circuit. It extends to the top of the Rimutaka Range down through Kaitoke, Akatarawa, Te Mania, the Mangaroa and Wallaceville Valleys and the Upper Hutt Valley to the northern boundary of St Margaret's Presbyterian Parish of Silverstream. So far as its Methodist members are concerned, the Co-operating Parish includes Silverstream, Pinehaven and Whitemans Valley. In June 1979 the parish had 1,000 homes under pastoral care, 561 communicant members, three main worship and Christian education centres, 260 Sunday School pupils with 30 teachers, 94 Bible Class members with 12 leaders, 200 members of the Girls' and Boys' Brigades with 27 leaders, as well as a Friday evening club attended by some 150 young people for most of whom this is their only connection with the church. There are five groups that cater specifically for the women of the parish and a variety of study groups for adults are held from time to time. The parish has a team of four ministers and works through a Parish Council with its Executive, Pastoral, Christian Education, Life and Work and Property and Finance Committees. At each of the three main centres there is a Domestic Affairs Committee. . . . All this from quiet homes and first beginning.

Supporting Committee of the 17th Hutt Valley Company, Girls' Brigade, taken at the Silver Jubilee of the Company, May 1977. Included in this photo are Tom Wright, (4th from left, front row) and Hazel Wright, (3rd from left, second row) both of whom have been on this committee since its inception and in the front row (far right) is their daughter, Mrs Ann Thomas. Mrs Ann Thomas led the Company for 19 years and, among other positions in the movement, has held the positions of District Commissioner and National Commissioner. Page 5 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN UPPER HUTT 1879-1976 ST DAVID'S In the Beginning—1879-1904 The first minister of the Hutt Valley Presbyterian Church, the Rev. William Dron, a member of the Free Church of Scotland, arrived in New Zealand on 1 December 1852 to become minister of a separate Hutt congregation. A church was built in High Street, Lower Hutt, in 1858 and the following year, at a meeting of the Kirk Session, it was resolved that the parish should be divided into Upper and Lower districts. The Upper district extended from Mangaroa in the north and Mr Andrew Yule, storekeeper, was appointed elder "from Mangaroa to the second river bridge".1 Settlement in the Upper valley was slow but by 1878 there were enough Presbyterians living in the Upper district to warrant the building of a church in Upper Hutt. On 25 September 1878 a "working committee" met "in connection with the erection of a Presbyterian Church at the Upper Hutt".2 Mr Robert Burns was elected chairman and members of the committee were Messrs Brown (Snr and Jnr), Sinclair and James Grant. Collectors were appointed for various districts and Mr Grant was made treasurer. Trustees appointed "to hold the ground and building" were Messrs Brown (Jnr), Burns and Sinclair.3 The building site, section 117 of the Upper Hutt District, was on the main road and was donated by Mr George Brown. It was in the middle of farm land. A church, St David's, was designed by Thomas Turnbull, whose two best known churches are St John's and St Peter's, Willis Street, Wellington. St Peter's is also celebrating its centennial this year. Turnbull designed St David's free of charge. It was described at the time as a "handsome, plain, gothic structure".4 It was a plain little church with none of the elegant features of its Wellington brothers, but the Upper Hutt Presbyterians were not able to afford a more elaborate church. A building committee was set up which decided to accept Turnbull's plan and advertise for tenders in the "Evening Post". Mr McIntosh. A Lower Hutt builder, was consulted about building materials and it was decided to order timber from Messrs Cruickshanks and Gorrie Bros. "in proportion to their respective subscriptions".5 The successful tenderers, Primrose and Scully,6 built the church for £350, but this price did not include linings.

1 Knox Presbyterian Centennial Booklet, page 5. 2 Minute Book of St David's Board of Managers, 1878-1907. 3 Minute Book of St David's Board of Managers. 4 "N.Z. Mail" (newspaper) 30 November 1878. 5 Minute Book of St David's Board of Managers, 1878-1907. 6 Minute Book of St David's Board of Managers, '1878-1907 Page 6 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 In February 1879, the Rev. James Paterson of St John's preached the sermon at the first service to "a large audience".7 James Grant, a divinity student who had worked enthusiastically for the erection of St David's, left in 1881 to take up an appointment with the Church of Otago8 and later became head-master of College Street School in Palmerston North.9 Although the church was free of debt by 1881, it remained unlined for another two years. In July 1883 the Management Committee decided that "when the good weather should set in a hearty effort should be made to the lining of the Church"10 and Messrs Brown and Roger were nominated to canvas the district "to solicit subscriptions". The first timber ordered had to be returned because it was unsatisfactory. When the work was finally finished, the outside of the church was painted "stone colour" and the inside "French White".11 In 1884, Miss Annie Symonds, the fourteen-year-old organist, was presented with "two handsome volumes", one being "Presbyterian Psalms and Hymn Book" in appreciation of her services as harmonium player. Miss Symonds in reply said "that the work she had done was a pleasure and a delight".12 She remained organist for another five years, when she married Alfred Scholes. One son, Frank, had a long association with St David's and the Wallaceville Church, and another, Ralph, was the builder who erected the first St David's manse in 1913 and carried out the renovations to the church in 1933. The Upper Hutt Church often had divinity students looking after its members. One of the most popular was Andrew Gray. In 1892 the Management Committee asked Session to "permit Mr Gray, a student of Divinity, to remain in charge of the District until he is ordained."13 He remained until 1899 and under his chairmanship, the committee negotiated the purchase of two acres of land on the south side of the Wallaceville Hill for £10, to be used as a cemetery.14 The Presbyterians who lived on the other side of the Wallaceville hill felt they would like a church of their own and in 1893 plans were laid before Presbytery and approved. By November the church was finished. It was designed by a Mr Hall of Lower Hutt and built by "Mr Whitcher of Petone at a cost of £97".15 The church was

7 "N.Z. Mail", 26 April 1879. 8 Management Committee Book, 1881. 9 J. A. Kelleher, "History of Upper Hutt", page 80. 10 Management Committee Book, July 1883. 11 Management Committee Book, 1883. 12 Management Committee Book, 1884. 13 Management Committee Book, '1892. 14 Management Committee Book, '1899. 15 Photostat of history compiled by Mr L. Gorrie. Page 7 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 opened by the Rev. Ogg of St Andrew's Church, Wellington. Mr William Gorrie was the first elder from Wallaceville to represent the church at Session.

Wallaceville Presbyterian Church. Built in 1894 for a cost of £97. This church is still used for monthly services.

Part of the Wallaceville Cemetery for which 2 acres was purchased in 1899 at a cost of £10.

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Church Extension, Mission Charge and Home Mission Station 1904-23 During the first twenty-five years, the Upper Hutt Church was always in financial difficulties, so much so that in 1902 a concert was arranged to pay off the deficiency in the previous year's balance sheet. Nevertheless, by March 1904, a congregational meeting considered it time to sever their connection with Lower Hutt "and create this district as a Church extension station".16 Each of the four areas in the Upper District— Upper Hutt, Wallaceville, Akatarawa and Kaitoke set about raising a sustentation fund. Presbytery agreed to the request and in April 1904 the Rev. J. S. Thomson was welcomed to the charge. He remained for a year and was replaced by J. S. Webber. Difficulty was experienced in collecting the minister's salary and Mr Webber remained only until the following March when he was moved "at short notice and without consulting the Moderator or Committee" by the Rev. J. Paterson.17 Mr Webber was followed by Mr Rumgay, who resigned in September 1907. In October 1907 the Management Committee recommended "the building of a Manse on the Church site"18 and a manse fund was begun. F. Shaw, another student, arrived in November 1907 for six months and it was he who first brought up the necessity of having a bell. It was decided to "wait upon the General Manager of Railways asking if the Department had a suitable bell for a church to dispose of".19 The Railways were unable to help and the matter was left for the moment. The committee decided not to extend Mr Shaw's term of office and the congregation asked that Mr Webber be transferred back to Upper Hutt, and he returned for a time. The committee was empowered in April 1909 to buy a bell and have it erected at the back of the church. In June an order was placed for a bell "at a probable cost of £10.3.4". 20 Later in the year the manse sub-committee began negotiating with the Brown Estate for a site for a manse. Although the land "one eighth of an acre behind the Church for £50"21 was bought in November 1909 it was not until 1913 that the manse was built. The Parish was in grave financial difficulties and one minister was rebuked by the committee for raising the matter from the pulpit. When he left in 1911 Presbytery was asked to tell the incoming minister of the difficulties experienced in finding his

16 Management Committee Book, 1904. 17 Management Committee Book, 1904. 18 Management Committee Book, 1907. 19 Management Committee Book, December 1907. 20 Management Committee Book, May 1909. 21 Management Committee Book, May 1909. Page 9 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 salary. Services were suspended at Kaitoke until that area found its quota of the minister's salary.22

The Church bell at St David’s, purchased in 1909.

St David’s House. The original manse, built in 1913, was converted for youth work and other parish activities on the completion of a new manse on the rear of the property in 1969. The Rev. Buchanan, who came to the parish in 1911 and stayed for a year, was blessed with a very energetic wife. Mrs Buchanan is given the credit for starting a Ladies Guild for the purpose of building up the manse fund.23 A series of fund raising activities, socials, concerts and sales of work, were organised. By August 1912 the Board of Managers decided to apply to the centenary fund committee for a loan of £200 "to erect a house at the rear of the Church".24

22 Management Committee Book, May 1911. 23 Minute Books of Ladies' Guild, 1915 (note on cover). 24 Managament Committee Book, 1912. Page 10 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 The Board of Managers at this time had members who were to give the church long service. Messrs G. H. Guthrie and W. Greig were both appointed in 1901 and served the committee for almost forty years, Mr Guthrie being secretary on several occasions. In June 1913 Presbytery resolved that "it was expedient that a Kirk Session should be formed at Upper Hutt".25 A meeting was called to elect three elders with the Rev. James McCaw of Knox Church presiding. Due to "certain irregularities", the elections were "declared void" and another election held after the conclusion of morning worship on Sunday, 6 July.26 All the male communicants were nominated and on the next Sunday it was declared that Messrs Gibbs, Matthews and Gorrie were elected. Mr Gibbs was appointed Session Clerk, a position he held for ten years except for a break of one year when he went to England. During the time when Mr Climie, a bachelor, was minister. Session meetings were held at Mr Gibbs' home, "Mountain View". Mr Gibbs was a firm believer in temperance and for some years was Superintendent of the Sunday School. He died at Featherston in 1924.27 During these years the congregation of the church was steadily growing and with the closure of the Methodist church in Whiteman's Valley, many Methodists came regularly to services at St David's. As there was no Baptist church, the congregation counted Baptists among its members. In 1924, Mr Purser, a Methodist, was on the building committee. The Rev. Francis Usher was ordained Home Missionary of St David's in June 1913 and he and his family were the first to occupy the manse. He remained in Upper Hutt until 1918 and was known in the town by his sombre dress and the flat, black hat he wore.28 He was minister during the First World War and helped the padre at Trentham Camp run services at Trentham racecourse from September 1917. During his term of office the first services were held at Silverstream in a private home. When the Rev. Usher left to take up an appointment in St Andrew's, Wellington, he was followed by Angus Climie, a Scot with bright red hair. During his term of office the manse was let on condition that the tenants boarded the minister. During these years the Wednesday night Bible Class was a welcome social event for the young people in the district. Mrs Florence Scholes, then a teacher at Upper Hutt School, remembers going with two other teachers to the Bible Class. It was so dark that to light the way, each carried her own lantern.29 It was here, Mrs Scholes, a Baptist, met her future husband, Frank. Frank Scholes was a manager and then an elder of St David's until his untimely death at the age of thirty-

25 Session Minute Book, 1913. 26 Session Minute Book, 1913. 27 Session Minute Book, 1924. 28 Mrs F. Scholes, Mangaroa. 29 Mrs F. Scholes, Mangaroa. Page 11 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 five in 1932. Mr Climie also met his future wife at the Bible Class. She was Miss Rennie, daughter of one of the managers, and when he left in 1921 she became his wife. Mr Climie was succeeded for a short period by an older minister, the Rev. John McCaw, brother of the minister of Knox Church. By 1918 the Board of Managers agreed that Upper Hutt should be made a fully sanctioned charge. However, several years passed before this happened due to lack of financial support. During that year the church was closed for two Sundays due to the influenza epidemic. It was also in 1918 that Session decided to serve "a non-alcoholic red wine for communion" due mainly to the influence of Mr Gibbs.30 Church union with the Methodists and Congregationalists was discussed favourably in 1919, and to show the "openness of the Presbyterian Church",31 session agreed to other religious bodies conducting services at Wallaceville cemetery. The move to make Upper Hutt a fully sanctioned charge was furthered in 1922 when Session decided to seek the co-operation of Silverstream and Trentham residents in making it possible. There were already thriving Sunday Schools in both places and the war had brought an influx of people into the Trentham area. The camp's chaplain, the Rev. Hardie, kept closely in contact with St David's. He held services at the Y.M.C.A. rooms at the camp and visited the inmates of Wi Tako prison. When he left, the task of visiting prisoners was taken over by the minister of St David's. At the end of 1923, the Rev. John McCaw resigned and his place was taken by an Englishman, the Rev. James Holmes. He was to "supply" for six months but stayed for four years until his death from cancer in October 1927. His appointment was an end and a new beginning. Fully Sanctioned Charge James Holmes and Wi Tako—1924-27 On 10 January 1924 the commission on Upper Hutt met with the St David's congregation and agreed: 1. That St David's should be made a sanctioned charge; 2. A grant should be made available from the sustentation committee; 3. Rev. G. A. MacKenzie be appointed as Interim Moderator. St David's was at last able to "call" its own minister and the name of James Holmes was inserted in the call. On 29 April 1924 he was inducted into the ministry of St David's. James Holmes was one of the most interesting of St David's ministers. He was English and had been a Congregational minister before deciding to emigrate to New Zealand

30 Session Minute Book, December 1918. 31 Session Minute Book, May 1919. Page 12 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 to give his four sons "a chance in life". He lived in Havelock North for some years before entering the Presbyterian ministry. His short stay in Upper Hutt was full of meaning and energy.

St David's Church in the mid 1920s. The parish bicycle, referred to in the text, can just be seen in the bottom left of the illustration.

Rear view — St David's from the back paddocks in the mid 1920s. The board of managers often recorded its thanks to him for keeping the grounds and lawns so tidy. While Francis Usher had hired a gig to drive around the parish, James Holmes pedalled many miles on the old church bicycle. He urged his congregation to upgrade the church, which had fallen into disrepair. He told the managers that he held "a church should be equipped in such a manner as to make it the very best place and a building worthy of our faith".32 An inspection was made to test the soundness of the piles and in spite of objections from the new Session Clerk, J. O. Duff, extensions were built on the back of the church to assist in accommodating the youth work. In

32 Board of Managers' Minute Book, 1924. Page 13 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 addition the church was equipped with electric light. In 1924, the Wallaceville church was also renovated, and at the re-opening service in July, the church was full.

Rev. James Holmes and Mrs. Clara Holmes, 1924-27. At the annual meeting of the congregation in 1924, Rev. Holmes said that Upper Hutt was the only church in the Wellington Presbytery which had two churches, and four preaching stations—Trentham, Silverstream, Mangaroa and Wi Tako prison. It was at Wi Tako prison that James Holmes put in some of his hardest work. "The work at Wi Tako is of a special character," he told his congregation. He conducted services there on Sundays at 9 a.m., initially going by bicycle. After the service he gave personal advice to the prisoners and corresponded with their relatives. When he received replies, he would read them to the prisoners. Mr Blyth accompanied him to the services as organist and transport was provided by Mr Oliver Robinson. Once the Rev. Holmes conducted a marriage service at the prison for one of the inmates and some of the church ladies served a wedding breakfast.33

33 Mrs F. Scholes, Mangaroa. Page 14 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 Mr Holmes was very interested in prison reform and contributed articles about his experiences to various newspapers. When he died in 1927, his passing was deeply felt by his prison congregation and a cairn was erected at the prison to his memory. His body is buried in the Wallaceville cemetery.

The cairn erected by Wi Tako Prison inmates in memory of Mr. Holmes. During his time as minister he was ably supported by his wife, Clara. She put new spirit into the Ladies Guild and, as a gifted needlewoman, contributed many fine articles to the sales of work. The Fruitful Years—1928-38 In March 1928 the Rev. George Hunt was inducted at St David's and remained for a period of ten years. The Rev. Hunt came from Maheno, having been a grocer before he entered the ministry later in life. He was married with three children, two boys, Ian and George, and a daughter, Inez. He is remembered as a kindly man who in his later years took pleasure from making little animals from driftwood.34 Mrs Marsh of Trentham remembers waiting for him on Sunday mornings with her mother, Mrs Hines, who was organist, for the services held at the Y.M.C.A. rooms. Mr Hunt would pick them up in his car and take them to the camp. In March 1928, the managers had been authorised to borrow £200 to purchase a car for the minister. By 1928 there had been a steady growth of population in the Upper Valley, particularly at Trentham and Silverstream. In 1928 another elder, Mr R. McKenzie, was appointed to help Mr McDougall in Silverstream. Meanwhile, due to a decline in population, services were discontinued at Mangaroa and bi-monthly services instituted at the Wallaceville church.

34 Mrs P. McNab, Mangaroa. Page 15 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979

St David's Combined Bible Class, 1928. Back row: T. Wright, G. Mummy, E. Butler, A. Cheshire, H. Humprey, E. Mellville, G. Croft, E. Milligan. Second row: R. Milligan, B. Humprey, M. Ross, M. White, D. Youngman, E. Crofts, M. Watson, N. Castle, C. Ellender (Secretary). Third row: K. Ross, A. Jones, E. Taylor (Treasurer), C. Dalton (Leader) M. Mountier (Assistant Leader), C. Hathaway, R. Duff, B. Rennie. Front row: W. Gellen, F. Castle, J. Jones. In June 1930 a congregational meeting was called at Mr McDougall's home, Silverstream, "to consider the question of building a Church or hall".35 Three and a half months later the foundation stone of St Margaret's was laid by the Hon. Downie Stewart, M.P. The church which was built of brick was designed and erected by Fletcher Construction, Andrew Fletcher being a member of the parish. On 23 November 1930, "the door of the Church was opened by Mrs F. Castle",36 president of the Ladies' Guild. The moderator of the General Assembly, the Rev. G. Budd, gave a short address. The first Sunday service was conducted the next evening by members of St Stephen's Bible Class, Lower Hutt. The building of St Margaret's was a milestone in the life of the parish and an achievement of which the members were

35 Session Minute Book, June 1930. 36 Board of Managers' Minute Book, 1930. Page 16 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 proud. The annual report of 1930-31 described "the building of a beautiful brick church at Silverstream" as "the outstanding event of the year".37

A wedding party at St Margaret’s , Silverstream, in 1936 A separate church was built for the Trentham congregation in 1933. St Andrew's was built on a small section in Tawai Street, next to the corner shop, on land belonging to Mr J. Purvis, who was a stalwart of the church. Mr Purvis gave the congregation an interest-free loan for five years and the building was erected with voluntary labour. Although it was a more modest church than St Margaret's it came to be greatly cherished over the years by its members. One of the most interesting features was the communion table, made specially for the congregation by prisoners at Wi Tako. Both St Margaret's and St Andrew's remained part of St David's for the next two decades. Mr Hunt carried the burden of preaching with the help of Mr J. O. Duff and a divinity student, Mr W. H. S. Warin, who in 1934, was appointed to help in St David's during the long vacation. He took two services at Silverstream and Trentham each month. The years prior to World War II were fruitful in another way. The ten years of Mr Hunt's ministry were years of great activity for the youth of St David's. Miss Emma

37 Annual Report, 1930-31. Page 17 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979

Mr. Frank Scholes, a St David’s manager and elder in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Taylor re-members the social evenings and anniversary parties held in the guild room at the back of St David's. A photo of the 1928 Bible Class has many well known faces in it. Mr Croft and his future wife; Miss Taylor; two members of the Castle family; and C. Dalton, who was leader of the group. In the back row stands George Nummy, Iona's first minister. Miss Rose Duff, daughter of the Session Clerk, is also there having asked her father if she and Miss Taylor could leave Sunday School early to have the photo taken. It was reported that Mr Duff was irate that the photo was being taken on a Sunday.38

Church picnic in the Paddocks behind St David’s n the early 1930’s. Rev. George Hunt minister from 1928-38, is in the back row, (4th from right) and Mr. J. O. Duff, Session Clerk and Sunday School Superintendent, is also in the back row on the far right. Among present church members are some who camped at Kaitoke and Akatarawa with the Bible Class in early days. Some of the boys bought a model "T" for 10/- as

38 Miss Emma Taylor, Trentham. Page 18 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 part of a fleet of transport to carry their members to take the Sunday School at Kaitoke39 and some were members of Fred Chappell's gymnastic team. It was not a coincidence that so much activity was centred around the young people during these years as the Rev. Hunt was particularly interested in youth work. He had two teenage sons who were actively involved with the Bible Class and for some years one son, George (who was killed in the war), led the Bible Class at Silverstream. In addition, there was an "enthusiast" in the congregation, Fred Chappell, secretary of the Y.M.C.A. at Trentham Camp. In 1936, when Fred Chappell retired for the first time as leader of the Bible Class it was noted that "he has seen his class grow until it has become one of the largest classes in the Dominion". During the time Trentham members were building their church, the members of St David's were busily renovating theirs for the second time. A special meeting decided to call tenders for renovation and "the addition of a vestry" and to employ "where practicable, unemployed Presbyterians". During the time of renovation, services were held in the Druid's Hall, which had been built on the main road in 1928. All groups in the church contributed in some way to the new appointments and the Chappell family gave a new communion table.

St David's Bible Class Gymnastic Display Group at St David's Garden Party held at Balquidda, Martin Street in the late 1930s. Back row: Mr Fred Chappell (Leader), Clywd Scholes, Arthur James, Dave McKenzie, John Hedley Brown, Keith Hercock, Rod McKenzie, "Binks" Stainton, Jim Scholes, Ian Hunt, Captain (later Brigadier) Queree. Middle row: "Ginger" England, Tom Leckie, Tom Clyma, Kevin Cropp, Jack Anderson, Clif Oram, Don Streeter, —, —, Front row: Ian Watson, — Brown, Sam Stuart, Peter Stevens. It was during these years that Mr J. O. Duff was Session Clerk at St David's. Mr Duff was a strong character. He was the brother of Oliver Duff ("Sundowner") and worked in the Railways Department. When he came to live in Upper Hutt in the 1920s he

39 Mr Clif Oram, Upper Hutt. Page 19 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 became a member of the Borough Council and the local school committee. He was Session Clerk for nineteen years and as Sunday School Superintendent kept a stern eye on the scholars. He often voiced his opposition to various projects, believing in the principle of "all things being lawful but not expedient".40 Mr Duff was an energetic lay preacher and conducted the evening services at Trentham Camp. When he died in July 1941 it was the end of an era. In June 1938 Mr Hunt's only daughter, Inez, died at the age of sixteen and in September of the same year Mr Hunt accepted a transfer to Miramar. When he left, Session recorded that "his pulpit ministrations were of the highest order. His visitation of the sick and the consolation he brought to the bereaved have endeared him to all".41 His daughter, Inez, is buried in the Wallaceville cemetery and the headstone also commemorates the death of George Hunt Jnr on active service. Division of the Parish—1938-53 In 1938 St David's congregation decided to call the Rev. J. Badcock to the parish. However, before the call could be sent, Mr Badcock accepted another call. In March 1939 a call was extended to the Rev. James Crawfurd McCaw, son of the celebrated minister of Knox Church. The Rev. McCaw was to become the longest serving minister of St David's, remaining until 1956. J. C. McCaw was an energetic man who had to cope with a variety of problems produced by the war. He enjoyed the company of other people and was at home in a variety of social situations. During the war he kept in contact with the families of servicemen overseas and in addition to his other duties, was for many years Superintendent of St David's Sunday School and leader of the young women's Bible Class. His wife, Lorna, was a capable, lively woman who ran a private kindergarten for some years in the guild room. The McCaws had two daughters, both of whom took an active part in the Bible Class.

Rev. John McCaw, 1921-23.

40 Session Book, July 1941. 41 Session Book, 1938. Page 20 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 Even during the war the parish was expanding. In 1944, an arrangement was made with Knox Church to supply Silverstream on the second Sunday of each month so that Mr McCaw could conduct some evening services during the week at Haywards. The Rev. Lopdell from St Stephen's and a chaplain from Silver-stream Hospital took the Silverstream services.42 After the war there was a shortage of adult leaders in the church. The population in the Trentham area continued to grow and to assist with the work in the southern part of the parish help was obtained over the long university vacations from Messrs McLeay and Battersby, who were divinity students. In 1948, the Home Missionary Committee approved the appointment of a full-time home missionary assistant with duties at Silverstream Hospital. Mr A. F. Taylor, who had been elected Session Clerk in 1941 on the death of Mr Duff, died in June 1948. He had had a long association with St David's, as Secretary of the Board of Managers and then as an elder and Session Clerk,

Rev. James Crawfurd McCaw 1939-56 with members of the Wallaceville Church Committee. Back row: Mr George Keyes, Mr Harold Clifford, Mr Keith Lyndsay, Mr Les Lyndsay, Mr Len Gorrie. Front row: Mr Henrv Gorrie. Rev. James McCaw, Mr Bill Lyndsay. His place as Session Clerk was taken by Mr Clif Oram. Mr Oram had led two Bible Classes, one at St David's and one at St Andrew's prior to 1940. On his return from overseas, he resumed leadership of the St David's Bible Class, resigning to become Session Clerk. He retained this position until the Co-operating Parish came into being in March 1976.

42 Session Book, March 1944. Page 21 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 In 1949 Mr McCaw was granted four months' leave of absence to act as chaplain on the immigrant ship "Atlantis" and during his absence the Rev. Gladstone Hughes was Interim Moderator. Sister Christabel Waddell began her duties in July 1950. Her salary was paid mainly by St Margaret's and St Andrew's members with a contribution of one quarter from St David's. She worked in the area south of Cottle Street (Moonshine Road), where a new housing development was to be opened up. However, she stayed only eleven weeks and was replaced by Sister Leila Burns, an Australian, in November 1950. Sister Leila accomplished a great deal during the eighteen months she was in the parish. She established a Women's Club at St Andrew's, held a weekly prayer meeting at Silverstream and acted as Superintendent of St Margaret's Sunday School. There was a great deal of pressure from Silverstream and Trentham to have a separate parish. The Stokes Valley church indicated that it was prepared to build a manse at Stokes Valley but Trentham and Silverstream members felt that a separate community of interest lay north of the Taita Gorge. In February 1950 Presbytery indicated that loan assistance would be avail-able to provide a manse at Silverstream. On 1 July 1952 the area south of Moonshine Road and Beth Street was separated from St David's and incorporated, with Stokes Valley, into the separate parish of Heretaunga. In one sense it was a new beginning. However, the effects of separation would be felt later and would be a factor in whether St David's could continue as a parish. Second Division—The Movement North—1952-59 Population distribution has always had an effect on institutions like the Church. In 1950 there were 12,700 people in the Upper Hutt area. In 1953, with Heretaunga cut off, 7,000 were left in the area serviced by St David's.43 The land between Moon-shine Road and Golders Road, which had been predominantly farm land, was cut up for housing development. The area around St David's, which included Pursers' dairy farm, was subdivided and the area stretching from Redwood Street back to the river became sections for housing. In 1956 a school was opened in Fraser Crescent. Meanwhile, housing sections were being opened up in the northern part of the parish, around the Oxford Crescent area, where a new school had been opened in 1953. The effect of the new housing was felt in the increasing numbers of children attending Sunday School both at St David's and at Mrs Taylor's branch. To ease the strain on the limited accommodation at St David's, it was decided to build a new hall while in the north it was decided to move classes to the new Oxford Crescent School. In 1946, a quarter-acre section on the main road next to the church had been purchased from a Mr Ulman for £230. In April 1954 St David's celebrated its seventy- fifth anniversary and the fiftieth anniversary of its separation from Knox Church.

43 Annual Report, 1953-54. Page 22 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 Celebrations were held in the church and at the Druid's Hall. The lack of space for the anniversary highlighted the need for more accommodation. Instead of building a new church, a congregational meeting decided in April 1954 to endorse "the proposal to build a hall as an immediate objective".44 Plans and specifications for the building were drawn up by Mr W. Pearson, and the congregation set about raising money for the project. It was decided to build the foundations, framework, external walls and roof initially. A hall committee, consisting of the Van der Velde brothers (one of whom left St David's to study for the ministry), W. W. Jensen and P. Sharpin was set up. Meanwhile, the church was inspected and it was decided the belfry should be removed and the rotting boards on the south side replaced by fibrolite sheets. Work proceeded on the hall site and on 3 December 1955 the foundation stone was laid by the Hon J. R. Marshall. Afternoon tea was served to the official party by members of the Ladies Guild.4845 Mr McCaw had left St David's soon after the foundation stone was laid and on 15 December 1955 he was inducted into the new parish of Raumati South. The Rev. A. J. Wardlaw of St John's Union, Taita, acted as Interim Moderator for six months. The manse was found to be in such a bad condition that at one stage the Management Committee talked of moving it to another site for sale. However, it was decided that it was cheaper to renovate it, and the work was carried out by the Van der Velde brothers. In June 1956 the Rev. Peiter De Bres was inducted as minister of St David's.

The De Bres family. Rev. Peiter De Bres 1956-61, Conducted an active ministry at St. David’s and during this period there was a large increase in Church Membership and in Sunday School rolls.

44 Board of Managers' Minutes, April 1954. 45 Board of Managers' Minutes, 1955. Page 23 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 The Rev. De Bres had been assistant at St Stephen's, Lower Hutt. He was Dutch, a mature man with a strong sense of leadership and a conscientious attitude towards his work. Because English was his second language, he would prepare his sermons early in the week and take them along to Denis McEldowney, whose father was on the Session, to edit his English. He was a family man and there were now seven children at the manse. Mr De Bres' mature and flexible approach to his work attracted new adult members to St David's. During the first year of his ministry the number of communicant members increased by 85 to 332.46 It was decided to conduct a stewardship campaign in 1957, culminating in October of that year with a "visitation". It was felt that the campaign stimulated "a fresh interest in the church. Many of our congregation pledged time, talents and money for the work of our Lord", said the annual report of Session for 1957-58. From the beginning of 1958 teams of seven or eight men were available each Saturday morning to help with the hall construction. There were eleven teams and gradually the hall advanced towards completion. A loan of £4,000 from the South British Insurance Company was used to complete the work. It was finally completed and dedicated at a service in February 1959. The church was repaired (some piles were replaced), repainted and the belfry taken down. An inspection by a civil engineer, Mr Tocker, showed the building to have a ten-year life. During this period the northern part of the parish had also been developing. In September 1955 Mrs Taylor's Sunday School celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary with a concert at St David's. There were 112 children and a staff of nine. In 1956, the General Assembly had stressed the need for smaller, more efficient parishes. In November 1956 the Board of Management decided to release a section in Oxford Crescent purchased in 1950 for the church and buy one on the corner of Exchange Street and the Main Road. During the long vacation in 1956 a divinity student, Graham Drummond, worked in the parish in the area between Gibbons Road and Henry Street. As a result of his survey, Session applied in April 1957 for a deaconess for a period of two years and Sister Marjory Bent began work late in July 1957. It was anticipated that within the next three years a new parish would be formed. In July 1958 the Management Committee agreed to place before the annual congregational meeting the "purchase of a section in Ebdentown Road owned by Mr F. A. Spiers"47 on which a manse for the new parish would eventually be built. Meanwhile it was decided to proceed with the building of a hall on the Exchange Street comer site, to be completed by mid-1959. The original architect for the project was Mr Van Melle, and it was decided to give £1,500 to the new parish towards the cost of its buildings.

46 Annual Report, 1956-57. 47 Minutes of Board of Managers. Page 24 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 Events moved quickly and Presbytery approved the establishment of a new parish to be bounded on the south west by a line along Gibbons Street and including the Mangaroa-Wallaceville Valley. The new parish therefore included some of the oldest as well as some of the newest settlements in the district. It would also be responsible for the Wallaceville cemetery. The name Iona was chosen by parish members within the boundaries of the new parish. Until a hall was built, services were to continue in the W.D.F.F. Hall in King Street. When the Iona parish began its life on 1 July 1959, 137 communicant members of St David's were transferred to its roll. St David's was left with 284 communicant members and the two parishes combined in a stewardship campaign in 1960. "In My End is My Beginning"—1960-76 The parish of St David's was in good heart after the separation of Iona. An extra service at 9 a.m., "Morning Praise", was introduced in September 1959 and proved popular. P. C. Van der Velde, who had left the parish in 1957 to study for the ministry, was inducted into his first parish in Porirua East. In November 1961 the Rev. De Bres resigned to take up a position with the Maori Mission and the Rev. George Nummy of Iona served as Interim Moderator. On 5 April 1962, the Rev. E. K. Orange, M.A., was inducted into the parish. He was the son of the Rev. Orange of St Giles, Kilbimie, whose Bible Class had shared many experiences with the St David's pre-war Bible Class. Ken Orange was a scholarly man who combined his scholarship with an effective pastoral ministry. He was ably assisted by his wife. Jenny, who took a leading role in the women's groups and was leader of the Girls' Brigade for some years. The Oranges had a family of three daughters.

Rev Ken Orange and Mrs Jenny Orange, 1962-73.

Page 25 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 By 1964 the Board of Managers considered that "a new St David's is of great urgency"48 and £837 had been collected for this purpose. From 1960 to 1967 the population in the parish grew steadily from 7,500 to 10,000. The influx of new residents could be seen in the steady increase in the numbers of children attending Sunday School. By 1966 a record number of 425 children were enrolled and the Bible Class, which had been considered large in the 1930s with more than thirty members, was twice that number. And yet the number of adult communicant members began to fall away. The increase in adults which had occurred under Mr De Bres' ministry slowed and after 1962 a steady decline became evident, reflecting an overall change in attitudes towards church going which is still apparent today. It was unfortunate for St David's that this situation developed at a time when members realised that the old church appeared to have passed beyond the stage of renovation and a new church should be built. A fair was held in 1966 and the proceeds put towards the building fund. Meanwhile there were increasing discussions between St David's and the Methodist Circuit regarding church union and it was decided that there should be pulpit exchanges and opportunities for combined worship. It was about this time that the Rev. Orange exchanged pulpits for three months with the Rev. R. K. Heriott from Melbourne, with the Rev. W. G. Clark from Iona acting as Interim Moderator during this exchange. Negotiations continued between St David's and the Methodist Circuit over the possibility of church union but St David's considered that any proposal to build should be left until negotiations were finalised. However, early in 1968, the Methodists withdrew from negotiations having taken a decision to build a new church on their Benzie Avenue site.49 By 1968 the St David's building fund had reached $9,700, and after a reassessment of priorities a decision was taken to proceed with the erection of a new manse. An architect was asked to draw up plans and the women's organisations in the church were consulted. At the annual meeting the congregation was advised that sketch plans prepared by the architect had been approved by Presbytery.50 While some members wished the manse to be built of brick, wood was finally chosen and the original estimated cost of $14,500 escalated to $18,000 by the time the building commenced. The new manse was sited on a section at the rear of the church property and the laying out of the grounds was carried out by voluntary labour. The Board of Managers was authorised to raise a loan of $8,000 to finance the building, which was dedicated on 25 May 1969 with the Orange family moving in a month later.

48 Board of Managers' Annual Report. 49 Session Minute Book, 1968. 50 Board of Managers' Annual Report, 1968-69. Page 26 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979

St David’s Hall, completed in 1959, is still used by Parish organisations and other groups within the community. The decision to build a new manse meant that the old one could be used for a variety of parish activities, including youth work. Repainted and renamed St David's House, it became a useful asset to the parish. However, the building of the new manse meant an end to the prospect of a new St David's Church in the immediate future. The pioneers had built a church first, knowing that a manse could follow as the parish grew. In more recent times the declining membership (down to 302 by 1969) could see difficulties in supporting the extra expense of a modem church building. The old church was again inspected, passed as safe for use and in 1970 the interior was renovated with the estimated life of St David's Church then set at a further ten years. Meanwhile, discussions took place between St Andrew's, St David's and Iona as to possibly amalgamating the three parishes. At Assembly in 1969, parishes were asked to try the type of parish committee organisation envisaged in the Union Church. In February 1970 St David's Session agreed to establish a Parish Council comprising four committees: Pastoral, Christian Education, Finance and Administration, and Building and Works. The Parish Council would meet quarterly with the committees meeting monthly. The new organisation, under the able guidance of the Session Clerk, Mr Oram, and the Rev. Orange, functioned smoothly. Over the next three years the number of communicant members at St David's continued to drop, as did the number of children enrolled in Sunday School. There was little new building in the area served by St David's and church members who left the district were not necessarily replaced by other Presbyterians. Support for St David's fell away. In May 1973 the Rev. Orange left to take up a position in a Union parish in Cambridge and the Rev. D. C. Boyd from Naenae acted as Interim Moderator. During the vacancy, a committee was set up comprising representatives of St David's and Iona Sessions to consider the feasibility of merging the two parishes51 and Messrs Elliott, Oram and Stevens were appointed from St David's. At the annual meeting the Rev.

51 Session Minute Book, 1971-73. Page 27 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 Boyd spoke to the congregation about the role of the church in a period of rapid change, high mobility, insecurity and challenging of standards, at a time when St David's was approaching its centennial. At the meeting it was decided to extend a call to the Rev. Neville Creighton of Redcliffs, Christchurch. Services were conducted by the Very Rev. S. C. Read and lay preachers from Naenae during the period the parish was vacant. In November 1973 the Rev. N. T. Creighton was inducted. Mr Creighton was married with four young children. He was keen to try innovations, both in worship and parish organisation. He expanded the number of committees on the Parish Council to eight and increased its membership to provide for forty members. This was modified later and the number of committees reduced. The Rev. Creighton placed strong emphasis on Christian education and emphasised this aspect of his ministry in his services. He was ready to experiment in different styles of worship, not always well received by all in the congregation, but his services brought a new interest into the life of the parish. He restarted the Bible Class, which had closed down through lack of numbers, and with a small team of leaders and young people meeting on Sunday evenings laid the foundations for the development of the present evening youth group. A building committee was established in 1974 to investigate the possibilities of building a new church with the hope that a suitable building could be erected in time for St David's centennial celebrations. The committee reported to Parish Council that after viewing the amount of capital already invested in new worship centres on Fergusson Drive the investment required to establish a new worship building for St David's could not, in its opinion, be justified while there was any possibility of union between the Presbyterians and Methodists in Upper Hutt. After consideration Parish Council decided in May 1974 that "negotiations should be reopened with the Methodist Circuit and that a union parish be formed" and that St Andrew's and Iona be included in any negotiations.52 A congregational meeting authorised further discussions with the churches concerned. Subsequently, it was decided that a "Co-operating" parish should be formed between Iona, St Andrew's, St David's and the Methodist Circuit with Iona and St Andrew's retaining their identities and St David's and the Methodist congregations amalgamating with the Benzie Avenue site being used as the worshipping centre. A vote was taken in December 1975 after the draft constitution for the Upper Hutt Co- operating Parish had been circulated to members with 74.74% of the congregation voting in favour of the formation of a co-operating parish. The Rev. Creighton resigned from the Ministry in December 1975 to return to teaching at a community college in Auckland. Early in 1976 Presbytery approved the

52 Session Minute Book, 1974. Page 28 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 formation of a co-operating parish "which would begin with an inaugural service in the Upper Hutt Civic Hall on Sunday, 14 March".53 In July 1976, four months after the Co-operating Parish's inaugural service, St David's Church which had stood on the main road for almost one hundred years was demolished, an act which took but a few short hours to complete.

An interior view of St David’s Church shortly before its demolition.

St David's Presbyterian Church as it will be remembered by many in the congregation. Standing in attractive grounds and sited on Fergusson Drive, the main traffic route, it provided an effective witness from the time of its erection in 1879. The church building was demolished in July 1976 but the Hall, St David's House (the old manse) and the new manse at the rear of the property, still stand and are well utilised by the Co-operating Parish.

53 Session Minute Book, 1976. Page 29 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 IONA All the Presbyterian churches in Upper Hutt started with the establishment of a Sunday School. It is thought that one was being run in the Rose of Sharon Lodge Hall for about eighteen months before St David's Church was built. However, Iona is perhaps the best example of this. Mrs A. F. Taylor, wife of the Session Clerk of St David's from 1941-1948, began a small branch of St David's Sunday School at her home in Exchange Street in September 1934. She established it to cater for the needs of five children who lived in the northern part of the borough. From these small beginnings the Sunday School grew until, in 1948, larger premises were found at the Red Cross rooms in Logan Street. The number of children attending continued to grow as the northern part of Upper Hutt developed and when the Oxford Crescent School was opened in 1953 the Sunday School moved there. In 1955, to celebrate its "twenty-first" birthday, the children gave a special concert at St David's. As the Sunday School numbers grew so did the number of St David's members living in the northern part of the parish. To cater for their needs, services were held for a time in the Oxford Crescent School. However, some members of, the school committee were not happy with the school being used for religious purposes and from August 1957 a 10 a.m. service was held each Sunday at the W.D.F.F. Hall in King Street. In addition to her Sunday School work, Mrs Taylor had established a Ladies' Friendly Society for the women of the area and this group held sales of work, the proceeds of which were to provide the basis for a building fund. In 1950 St David's had purchased a section in Oxford Crescent and in 1956 the Board of Managers decided to release this section and buy a larger one on the comer of Exchange Street and the Main Road. The Rev. De Bres took an active interest in the development of the northern part of the parish and from October 1956 to February 1957 a divinity student, Graham Drummond, worked in the parish between Henry and Gibbons Streets. He reported the need for more attention to be paid to this part of St David's and in July 1957, Session's application for a deaconess saw Sister Margery Bent appointed for two years in anticipation of a new parish being formed. She remained with the parish until November 1959. In July 1958 the Board of Managers decided to place before the annual congregational meeting "the purchase of a section in Ebdentown Road, owned by Mr F. A. Spiers". The section was to be used to build a manse for the new parish. Presbytery approved the establishment of a new parish to come into effect from 1 July 1959 in the northern part of St David's parish from a line north of Gibbons Street and including the Mangaroa and Wallaceville Valleys. The area administered by the new parish included the Wallaceville cemetery.

Page 30 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 Plans were made to have a hall completed by the middle of 1959 with the manse completed by the end of that year. The name "Iona" was chosen by the members who would be part of the new parish. Although Iona became a separate parish on 1 July 1959, the building programme had not proceeded as planned despite a donation of £1,500 from the St David's members. The St David's Management Committee had engaged Mr Van Melle to act as architect for the new hall but his plans did not meet the Upper Hutt Borough Council's bylaws requirements. Moreover, prices tendered for the building were far in excess of that which had been expected and so the new parish was without buildings when it came into being and services had to be continued in the W.D.F.F. building in King Street. The first meeting of the Iona Session was held in the St David's guild room on 7 July 1959 with the Rev. De Bres as Interim Moderator. Mr J. A. Dangerfield was elected Session Clerk and the Interim Moderator told Session that the Rev. George Nummy from Eltham "was taking steps to be appointed minister of Iona parish" but, due to family commitments he could not take up an appointment until the end of the year. Session decided that steps must be taken to have a manse built. A congregational meeting was called for 9 August and at this it was decided to accept a tender for the manse and to secure the nomination of the Rev. George Nummy. The manse was not ready when the new minister was inducted on 3 December 1959 and he and his family took up temporary residence at 13 Elm Street. It was fitting that George Nummy should be the first minister of Iona. He had come from Ireland to work in Upper Hutt in the 1920s, first on Mr Purser's farm, next to St David's, and later for Mr Scholes in the Mangaroa Valley. He was an active member of St David's Bible Class for some years and it was after he left Upper Hutt that he entered the ministry. One of his first tasks was to help with the completion work on the new manse which was finally dedicated on 30 April 1960. The Rev. Nummy is specially remembered by members of the Iona Session for the introduction of a short period of Bible study at the beginning of each meeting. The new parish was still having difficulties with its building programme. In January 1960 Session had decided to continue to hold services in King or Logan Streets rather "than commit the Iona congregation to an unsatisfactory building" and it was decided to "pay off" the architect and to "start again from scratch". A new architect, Mr R. Henderson, was appointed to design a more practical building. Meantime Session decided to keep the Exchange Street section as it did not want its new church "hidden away in a side street". A congregational meeting urged that the building be finished before Christmas and it was decided to canvass for funds. However, by November 1960, it had been realised that the Exchange Street site was too small and Session therefore decided that it should be sold with the proceeds applied to the purchase of a property at 11 Ebdentown Road belonging to the estate of Mrs Benge. In October 1961 a hall was opened on this site. In 1965 a building was

Page 31 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 placed on the site which was divided into two rooms known subsequently as the Bible Class rooms. While the original site plan provided for a church to be built later on to the hall, this has never eventuated.

The Iona Centre in Ebdentown Road, opened in October 1961. The first Session Clerk, Mr Dangerfield, resigned in May 1960 when he was transferred to Dunedin and his place was filled by Mr T. L. McNab, who retained this position until his untimely death in 1967. When the number of Session members was in-creased in 1961, Mrs Florence Scholes became the first woman member of the Iona Session. The Rev. Nummy resigned in November 1964 and the Rev. Orange from St David's acted as Interim Moderator. In 1965 a call was made to the Rev. W. G. B. (George) dark, who had just returned to New Zealand from North America, and he was inducted into the parish in September 1965. He remained for nine years. It soon became obvious that housing development in the northern area of Upper Hutt was going to extend several miles north of Iona and that the church would be on the edge rather than in the middle of the development. When St Joseph's Orphanage cut up its farm at Akatarawa for sale in 1965, Mr McNab accompanied the convener of the Home Missionary Committee to look at the sections. Session recommended to the Committee that certain sections be purchased for future expansion and it is on one of these sections that the new Brown Owl centre is at present being built. In 1967, not long after Mr McNab's death, Mr W. A. Lindsay, one of the foundation members of the Iona Session, died. Like the Scholes and Gorrie families, the Lindsay family had had a long association with the Upper Hutt Church, first through St David's, then the Wallaceville Church and Iona. Session placed on record its appreciation of this long service. Page 32 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 During 1966 Session discussed with St Hilda's and the Methodists the ways in which maximum co-operation could be achieved between the churches in the Upper Valley. When St Hilda's lost its hall, the two churches discussed the joint use of Iona's buildings. The friendly relationship built up over the years between Iona and St Hilda's was reflected in 1974 when Iona supported St Hilda's objections to the city district scheme of that year which made no provision for the establishment of churches. However, it was among the other Presbyterian Churches that Iona discussed the question of amalgamation. In 1973 discussions had taken place between St David's and Iona Session representatives on the possible amalgamation of the churches. In 1974 Iona decided to be officially represented at a meeting to discuss possible union between Iona, St David's, St Andrew's and the Methodist Circuit. At this stage the Rev. Clark decided to accept a call to Fairfield, Dunedin, and he left Iona in June 1974. Session put on record its appreciation of his services to the parish over the previous nine years. The Rev. I. McCallum became Interim Moderator and at the annual meeting chaired by him in August 1974 the members voted "to view favourably the present draft proposals for an Upper Hutt union parish and encourages negotiations to continue". In 1975 a call was extended to the Rev. Dr C. B. Sherriff, of Blenheim, and he was inducted into the parish on 5 June 1975.

Rev. Dr. C. B. Sherriff and Mrs Wanda Sherriff. Dr. Sherriff was inducted as minister of Iona in June 1975. Proposals for the formation of a co-operating parish comprising Iona, St David's, St Andrew's and the Upper Hutt Methodist Circuit were put into draft form and the Iona congregation voted on the proposals in December. The number of votes cast in favour of a co-operating parish indicated members' favourable acceptance of the proposal. At a Session meeting on 17 February 1976 five members of Session were nominated to represent Iona on the Parish Council of the Co-operating Parish.

Page 33 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979

Margaret Satoreli, Judy Lyndsay and Milton Lyndsay, preparing the preserves for the Iona Fair in 1975.

Another view of the Iona property shows the old cottage, in the front, used for Sunday School classes with the more recent building behind, known as the Bible Class rooms, used for youth work today. Session Clerks of Iona 1959-1976 1959-5/1960—J. A. Dangerfield 1960-1967—T. L. McNab 1967-1968—P. Maxwell 1968-1970— J. G. Russell 1970-1976—Mr Cotter

Page 34 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 ST ANDREW'S A church named St Andrew's was opened in Tawai Street on 11 February 1933. However, it was not until 1 July 1966 that St Andrew's became a separate parish. Following the church opening, the St Andrew's congregation met on 14 February 1933 and the following were appointed members of the St Andrew's Church Committee: Mr and Mrs Groves, Mr and Mrs Pierard, Mrs Gray, Mrs Kitchen, Miss Chapman and Messrs Harrington, Williams and Dow. Mr Dow was appointed secretary and treasurer and when he died in October 1933 his place was taken by Mr Pierard.

The first St Andrews Church, Tawai Street, Trentham, was opened in 1933. The new committee placed on record its appreciation of Mr Hunt's services and for the zeal "which has inspired others in creating and dedicating this church to the glory of God". A vote of thanks was also given to Mr Campbell, who supplied the timber. Many people were associated with St Andrew's over the years before it became a separate parish. Perhaps because youth work was so dear to the hearts of St Andrew's members, it would be appropriate to mention the junior choir under the leadership of Mrs Hines, Mrs Withell's foundation and leadership of the junior girls' Bible Class and the leadership of the Brigade movement given by the Shakespeare family. St Andrew's still takes pride in its Boys' and Girls' Brigades. When the Heretaunga parish was separated from St David's in July 1952 it comprised St Andrew's, St Margaret's and Stokes Valley. The new parish shared one minister who was stationed at Silverstream. The Tawai Street section was small and there was little room for expansion, but St Andrew's people still have fond memories of their first church and there was a strong community of feeling among them. It soon became obvious that their interests differed from those of the members of St Margaret's. They felt they had special obligations towards the people in Trentham Camp and the prisoners at Wi Tako. Moreover, it was considered that the Trentham area was large enough in size to support a separate parish.

Page 35 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 In March 1956 a congregational meeting discussed the question of buying a larger section on the main road. The site chosen was "the Salvation Army section next to Kent's Nursery on the main road. The section was quarter of an acre . . . the price asked was £1,250". It was decided at the meeting that as the old church was too small, a new one would be built in the future and the Tawai Street property sold.

The Boys’ Brigade parade outside St Andrews, Tawai Street, in 1962. An active building committee led by Messrs F. Aipe and T. Clyma, was, set up and funds raised for the project. In 1963 an architect, Mr R. Henderson, from Stokes Valley, who had also designed Iona, agreed to draw up plans for a new hall on the Main Road site and the hall was completed with voluntary labour. The Tawai Street section was put up for sale and was sold to the Moonshine Playcentre who had the old church moved to Ward Street, where it is still in use as a playcentre.

Morning tea break for one of the many working parties during the construction of St Andrews.

Page 36 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 At the annual meeting of the congregation in 1965 it was decided to apply to Presbytery to become a separate parish. The suggested date was 1 July 1966. Presbytery recommended to the Heretaunga Parish that a new parish, "named St Andrew's Presbyterian, Trentham" be formed. It was established as an "aided charge" and was to consist of "that part of Upper Hutt Borough (north) between a line along Moonshine Road and John Street" and south to Bathurst Street. With a five-year loan approved by Presbytery, a manse had already been started in March 1966 and by the time St Andrew's Parish came into existence was well on the way to completion.

St. Andrews Centre, Trentham. Built by voluntary labour, the building was dedicated in March 1965. The first service of the new parish was conducted on 3 July by the Rev. Alan Quigley, of Stokes Valley (which had already become independent from Heretaunga). Mr Quigley, as Interim Moderator, "preached the parish vacant". When he took up an appointment in Fiji his place as Interim Moderator was taken by the Rev. George Clarke, of Iona. The Rev. G. A. D. Spence, a recently retired minister, was appointed "part-time temporary minister" and ably undertook the duties of preaching and visiting until the first minister was appointed. Ten elders had been elected by the congregation. They were Messrs Aipe, Bilby, Borrows, Faulkner, McLachlan, Murray, Park, N. Shakespeare, Shields and Snyders. At the first Session meeting on 26 July 1966 Noel Shakespeare was elected Session Clerk, an appointment he held until January 1974. Mr J. Kemp replaced him and was Session Clerk when St Andrew's entered the Co-operating Parish in 1976. The Rev. Cyril Viggars, from Hamilton, was St Andrew's first full-time minister. The new manse was dedicated on 7 May 1967 by the Rev. J. K. Fairbairn, minister of St John's, Wellington, and eighteen days later, the Rev. Viggars was inducted as minister of St Andrew's.

Page 37 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 By 1972, St Andrew's faced a major financial crisis and there were serious doubts as to whether it could continue as a separate parish. The Methodists had already found that because the expected increase in population had not occurred in the Trentham area, St Stephen's had to be closed in 1968. Much the same position beset St Andrew's four years later. The total area of the parish was substantial but much of it was taken up by the racecourse, Trentham Camp, and the Memorial Park, and where once it was expected houses would be built, a large secondary school stood. The expected subdivision at Craig's Flat across the river did not take place and the population of Trentham had become static. By 1971 St Andrew's had only 93 members. A visitation committee in 1972 suggested that St Andrew's consider a merger with St Margaret's and while discussions took place, the merger did not eventuate. Meanwhile the Rev. Viggars had become ill and tendered, his resignation. It was decided not to replace him meantime and instead plans went ahead for extending the hall to provide much needed space for the Sunday School. In the long vacation of 1972 a student, Mr Jack Foster, and his family, lived in the manse. Mr Foster became involved in the pastoral work of the parish with such enthusiasm that he put new heart into St Andrew's. The extensions to the hall took shape and in March Session decided to call a new minister. The Rev. Winston Baker, M.A., was selected. He had been working as an industrial chaplain prior to a two-year period with the Presbyterian Church of Ceylon. St Andrew's was his first New Zealand parish. He was married with two young children and was inducted on 5 July 1973. He came at a time when there was a small but significant increase in church membership. The Rev. Baker kept up his industrial interests by working among the employees at Dunlops and he was St Andrew's minister when the parish entered the Co-operating Parish in 1976. Although a "parish council" type of organisation was tried in St Andrew's in 1972, as a result of the General Assembly suggestion, it was decided in 1974 to revert to a simpler form of church organisation. Financial troubles continued to be a worry to the members and it was decided that a continuation of its ministry to the area could be better assured by entering into some form of union with Iona, St David's and the Methodist Circuit. Discussions were begun in 1974 and a vote on the draft constitution of the co-operating parish was taken in December 1975. A large majority voted for joining the co-operating parish. St Andrew's brought with it a closely knit body of worship-pers. A feature of St Andrew's has been the positive part taken by members in church affairs, including visiting, active participation in services and a continuing interest in Wi Tako Prison.

Page 38 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 THE METHODIST CHURCH IN UPPER HUTT 1883-1976 Whitemans Valley—1883-1927 The history of the Methodist Church in Upper Hutt began in the early 1880s in Whitemans Valley, which is a valley running almost parallel with the Upper Hutt Valley. There were several Methodist families among the farmers and sawmillers who came to work and settle in the valley. The enthusiasm of lay people in the Methodist Church has always been important and it was two lay people, Richard and James Prouse, who offered their home for the first services held in Whitemans Valley. In March 1883 Whitemans Valley was placed o,n the Hutt preaching plan and Richard Prouse elected society steward.54 The Quarterly Meeting in March 1885 sanctioned the building of a church. The land for the church was given by another dedicated layman, James Swanson, a farmer. The church, to seat one hundred people, was designed by the Rev. Samuel Garlick, of Lower Hutt, who was also the builder and he was helped by local settlers with the timber being donated by the Prouse brothers from their mill. When the church opened in 1885 it was debt free. The original Trustees were James, Richard and Charles Prouse, Walter Smithson, James Devine, James and Joshua Knight and Charles Hollard. Services were held regularly on Sunday afternoons and "Old" Mr Clements from Stokes Valley, one of the best preachers in the district, used to walk from Stokes Valley to preach.55 Within a decade changes were taking place in Whitemans Valley. The timber having been worked out, the Prouse brothers' sawmill closed in 1891 and the Prouse families moved to Levin. By 1900 there were only six members of the church left in Whitemans Valley and that number had dwindled to two by 1905. The population had moved over the hill to Upper Hutt. An attempt was made in 1909 to start fortnightly services at Upper Hutt and it was hoped that a section could be found. However response to the services was disappointing and nothing was done. Fortnightly services were continued in Whitemans Valley until 1913, when they were reduced to a monthly basis, and in 1917 the church was leased to the Anglicans. From the early years of the century, until 1927, Methodists in Upper Hutt worshipped with Presbyterians and Baptists at St David's. Some of the best known Methodist families in Upper Hutt, like the Pursers, were active in the St David's Bible Class.

54 "Flickers The Flame", by William Greenwood, 1946. 55 Quoted in the above. Page 39 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 In 1927, the Methodist Conference decided that "a Home Missionary be established at Upper Hutt for the purpose of working Upper Hutt, Trentham, Haywards, Silverstream, Wallaceville and Stokes Valley".56 The mission was to be under the supervision of the Hutt Circuit. As no church was available, services were held in "the old picture house and drill hall".57 After three months, a decision was taken to move the White-mans Valley church over the hill to a section purchased for £125 in Benzie Avenue. It was shifted in the pouring rain by Messrs Hall Brothers of Lower Hutt. Voluntary labour was used to renovate the building and it was ready for the first service on 1 July 1927.

An early photo of the Church sited in Benzie Avenue. Originally built in Whitemans Valley in 1885, it was moved to its present site in 1927. Part of Hutt Circuit—1927-55 The opening of the church was conducted by the Rev. Charles Olds, who "introduced the home missionary, Erick Alexander, to the congregation".58 Mr James Swanson, who had given the section in Whitemans Valley for the church, addressed the congregation on "the history of the old building".59 The "old building" still stands on its site in Benzie Avenue and is used for church purposes. The first business meeting was held on 9 August 1927 when Messrs Purser and W. O. Thomas were elected Circuit Stewards with the Rev. C. Olds, of Lower Hutt, chairing the meeting. Mr Alexander remained until 1928. In 1929 the congregation had three home missionaries, Messrs Greenslade, Harding and Brady. Messrs Strand and Haigh also supplied, as did two students, Messrs Payne and Jenkin, over the long vacation. In

56 Upper Hutt Quarterly Minute Book, article on cover. 57 "Flickers The Flame". 58 Minute Book, article on cover. 59 Minute Book, article on cover. Page 40 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 1930 Mr B. Kirkland supplied for two months and he was followed by Messrs Harding and I. Thomas.

Mr. W. O. Thomas elected Circuit Steward in 1927. Later in 1930, Mr G. S. B. White was home missionary and he stayed until 1932. Mr White was a Canadian who had previously "been to sea".60 He became a cub master and enjoyed living in Upper Hutt. However, after eighteen months, a meeting was called because it was felt the quality of Mr White's preaching was falling off and he was delivering his sermons "in a monotone". The meeting decided that Mr White should "move on". "On account of his age he should concentrate on his studies . . . and if he moved on he would be able to do more studying by preaching his old sermons".61 From 1932-35 Mr H. A. Cochrane was at Upper Hutt. It was Depression time and often the small congregation was hard put to find the home missionary's salary. He was paid at the end of each quarter with the collection of the previous three months.62 Mr Richards, a retired minister, replaced Mr Cochrane but he lived in Lower Hutt. The first home missionary to remain any length of time in Upper Hutt was Sister Edith Beer, who stayed from 1936 until 1940. Sister Edith is still remembered with affection. She lived in the back of the Plunket rooms and was a great visitor with a delightful personality and perhaps best of all, was an excellent preacher. Sister Edith took up all sorts of causes during her stay, in particular she promoted Bible in Schools and took a special interest in the Railway63 workers at Kaitoke. She took a strong stand on "Sabbath desecration" in relation to the letting of Maidstone Park "for picnics and organised games on a Sunday",64 and organised a meeting with the Presbyterians and Anglicans to protest to the Council on the matter.

60 Mr Noel MCarthy, Upper Hutt. 61 Minute Book of Quarterly Meetings. 62 Mr Noel McCarthy. 63 Minute Book of Quarterly Meetings. 64 Minute Book of Quarterly Meetings. Page 41 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 During the war the congregation undertook special work in relation to Trentham Camp, organising services and functions for the soldiers stationed there. Sister Edith left in 1940 and Mr A. H. Ivory was welcomed to the church on 10 April 1940 to replace her. Mr Ivory was a very tall man who had decided to enter the ministry later in life after being an accountant. The church members decided they would like to retain Mr Ivory's services permanently but felt they "were unable to provide adequate remuneration for a man of his status and ability". The Home Missionary Board was therefore asked for a grant. Stokes Valley was a part of the Upper Hutt preaching plan, but services there were not satisfactory and there was a very small attendance at the monthly meetings. The congregation decided to recommend Mr Ivory as a candidate for the ministry. He was accepted and farewelled at a function in July 1942. Over the years a number of Upper Hutt Methodists have been licensed as lay preachers. Mr Keall, a retired minister who lived in Lower Hutt, "filled in" for the next four years and during the time he was home missionary Mr McKay was licensed as a lay preacher. In 1946 Mr Colin Clark was appointed home missionary. He remained for a year and during this time presented a plan for church extension and co-operation in Upper Hutt. When he left to enter theological college in 1947 he said, "there was no chance of wealth but an unlimited chance for joyous service".65 In 1947 the "Upper Hutt Methodist News" was started. A stalwart of the church, Mr H. W. Heyhoe, was editor. Mr Heyhoe, who died last year, was a Circuit Steward from 1938 to 1941. He was actively involved in all aspects of the church's work. He left the Upper Hutt district in 1948 and his place as editor was taken by Mr Divers. Church membership in 1947 was between 45 and 55. In addition to the services at Stokes Valley there were preaching places at Pinehaven and Akatarawa. The Methodists had two sections at Stokes Valley but services were held in the Presbytrerian Hall. At Akatarawa, services were held at the Anglican Hall. The Sunday School at Pinehaven was very strong with a roll of twenty children in 1947. The Rev. W. L. Divers, who came to Upper Hutt in 1947, was a young man who was finishing his term as a probationary minister. He was married and it was recognised that there was a need for a parsonage. In April 1950 the Trustees decided that a parsonage should be built and the congregation was asked for subscriptions to put a deposit on a section, but sufficient funds were not available to begin building. Mr Divers left in 1950 and he died at a comparatively early age while on a scholarship to the United States.

65 Minute Book of Quarterly Meetings. Page 42 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979

Rev. W. L. Divers, Mrs Joyce Divers and their first son, Leslie. Mr Divers was minister to the Upper Hutt Methodist Circuit 1947-55.

Methodist Bible Class Camp, 1948 Back row: Alf Chote, Valda Doske, Joyce Divers, Rev. Lloyd Divers, Edith ---,Trevor Nixon. Front row: Iris Colclough, -----, Lois Duske, Ann Wright (now Thomas), Jean Colclough (now Taylor), Gwenda Laird. Alf Chote and Valda Doske married and are now missionaries in India. In November 1950 the Rev. Len Schroeder came to Upper Hutt. He was the congregation's first ordained minister and Upper Hutt was his first charge. He was a good preacher with a fine academic record. As he was unmarried, it was decided to postpone the building of the parsonage until more funds could be accumulated. During the next two years Upper Hutt bmccarthyegan to expand. In the Trentham area, the Cottle block was cut up into sections for housing development and it was Page 43 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 decided that a preaching station should be established in Moonshine Road to serve houses in this new subdivision. A site was selected by the Rev. McDowell from Lower Hutt, the Circuit Chairman, and the Rev. Schroeder in consultation with the Rev. J. C. McCaw of St David's. The section cost £450. It was also decided that a site should be purchased at Pinehaven.

Alan and Dora Pursers’ wedding, held in the original church with the Rev. L. P. Schroeder presiding. In 1952 a parsonage was purchased at 13 Fraser Crescent with funds from the peace thanksgiving appeal and it was dedicated on 11 May 1952. Mr Fletcher Thomas, whose father had a long association with the church, was licensed as a lay preacher in 1952. It was during this eventful year that Girls' and Boys' Brigades were established at Wesley Church. They were the first Brigades to be founded in Upper Hutt. When the Rev. Schroeder left in 1953 he was replaced by the Rev. Harry Shaw, who was to be the first minister of the independent Upper Hutt Circuit.

The addition in 1954 of extra accommodation for Sunday School and other use gave welcome relief.

Page 44 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 Independent Circuit: The Years of Expansion—1955-68 The Rev. Harry Shaw was one of the most colourful of the Upper Hutt ministers. He was young and "as strong as a horse".66 He was also very energetic and absolutely committed to the Methodist Conference's policy of expansion. In this commitment he was supported by a strong group of fully accredited lay preachers including Mrs A. Purser and Mr Noel McCarthy, who were licensed in April 1954. In October 1954 a special meeting was called to discuss proposed extensions to the church, and this much needed accommodation was built on the back of the church in the following months. In February 1955 the members of the Quarterly Meeting congratulated Mr Shaw on his ordination at Conference to the Upper Hutt Circuit. At the same Conference, the Rev. Mc-Dowell, of Lower Hutt, had been named as President Elect. The new circuit began with a membership of 108 and a bank overdraft of £50. Mr Noel McCarthy and Mr Keith Russell were the first Circuit Trustees. A church extension fund had been set up by Conference for "a vision of the need in many parts of New Zealand".67 The circuit decided to open a cause in the Cottle Block "on the agreed understanding that local Presbyterian families would be encouraged to attend the Sunday School and church services".68 A preaching place at Te Marua was considered to be an urgent priority and it was decided to hold regular services "in Miss Rockel's bach" until a church could be built. A section was purchased at Pinehaven in 1955 and this was followed in 1956 with the purchase of a section at Te Marua for £500. Meanwhile, the Cottle Street Church was well under way. An old building was available from the Ministry of Works' plant at the Rimutaka tunnel construction settlement. It was the single men's quarters and was eighty feet long. As only forty- two feet were required for Cottle Street the rest was cut up and disposed of in various ways. Mr Parry transported the required forty-two feet to Cottle Street (now Moonshine Road) site and a team of volunteers led by Mr Eric Andrews, a builder, set about renovating the building. In the centre of all the activity was the Rev. Harry Shaw. Noel McCarthy remembers him working on the roof when, requiring something in a hurry, he jumped down instead of waiting for a ladder. His second attempt at jumping ended in a broken ankle and he limped into church on crutches for the next few weeks.69

66 Mr Noel McCarthy. 67 Minute Book of Quarterly Meetings. 68 Mr Noel McCarthy. 69 Mr Noel McCarthy. Page 45 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 Despite such "accidents" the hall was ready for use as a Sunday School in March 1956. Mr J. L. Tobin was the Superintendent and Presbyterian children were also to attend. The first church service at the completed St Stephen's was conducted by the Rev. Shaw on 8 April 1956. Mr Shaw was greatly interested in young people and took part in many of their activities. In addition to increasing the number of preaching places in the circuit he approached General Motors for permission to speak to the workers during the lunch break. This period of great activity ended in 1957 when he left to take up a new charge. By this time there were seven preach-ing places in the circuit—Benzie Avenue, Te Marua, Cloustonville, Akatarawa, St Stephen's, Trentham Camp and Pinehaven. He was followed by the Rev. F. Parker, of Feilding, who was appointed to the circuit in February 1957. The Rev. Parker was quieter than his predecessor but he was a good preacher who was interested in pastoral work.

Rev. F. W. Parker, 1957-64, greets Mrs Colclough and Mr John Purser. The parsonage in Fraser Crescent was too small and it was decided to sell it and build a new one. A section was purchased in Redwood Street, plans prepared and a loan of £1,000 applied for. The new parsonage was opened on Saturday, 26 July 1958 by the Rev. E. S. Hoddinott, chairman of the Wellington district. It was of brick veneer with four bedrooms and a study and was built by B. C. Appleton Ltd. When Mr Noel McCarthy resigned in 1957 to take up an appointment in Australia his place as Circuit Steward was taken by Mr Matthews. During the long vacation of the same year a student from Trinity College, Miss Thea James, came to help in the circuit. She concentrated on the southern part of the district. During this period the Stokes Valley station was struggling and was unable to contribute financially towards circuit expenses.

Page 46 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979

Mr Noel McCarthy addressing the Stewardship Dinner held in Upper Hutt School Hall, 1957.

The old Druid’s Hall in Fergusson Drive, built in 1928, was purchased in 1959 and renamed Wesley Hall. It is now linked to the other buildings at the Wesley Centre. In 1959 there were 125 members in Upper Hutt and twenty-eight in Cottle Street. A hard look was taken at the financial position of the circuit and it was decided that "for the next year or two we are faced with a policy of retrenchment and consolidation in order to accumulate funds for further work". A request was made for a deaconess to Page 47 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 assist Mr Parker, and Sister Gladys Thomas was appointed in 1961. She came to be known as "the deaconess on a scooter" because of her method of transport.70 For many years the Upper Hutt Circuit had argued that Stokes Valley should be part of the Hutt Circuit and not Upper Hutt. In March 1959 when the Stokes Valley Church was opened it was officially handed over to the Lower Hutt Circuit. During 1958, to increase the finances of the church, the "pledge" system had been introduced. In October 1959 the circuit learned that the Druid's Hall next to the church, which had been leased to the Labour Party, would be available for sale and the trustees decided to buy the property. Members were canvassed for their financial support and a circuit dinner was held. A loan of £3,000 was arranged and the Druid's Hall, which had been built in 1928, became part of the church property. It gave the church a frontage on the main road and provided much-needed accommodation for youth work. Nevertheless, conditions on Sunday mornings were so cramped that in 1962 the church accepted an offer from Mr Springay to use his funeral parlour "for Sunday morning meetings and church groups".71 Even though church membership had risen to 217 in 1961 the circuit was in debt and there was a need for a second parsonage in the Cottle Block. It was planned to have St Stephen's as heart of a second circuit, catering for the area south of Moonshine Road and including Pinehaven, but financially it was not possible to support a second minister at this stage. When Sister Gladys exchanged to Australia in 1963, she was replaced by Sister Janet Evans. Sister Gladys had been captain of the Girls' Brigade and leader of the girls' Bible Class at St Stephen's.

St. Stephen’s, sited in Cottle Street (now Moonshine Road) was opened in 1956. Closed in 1968, it was sold to the Upper Hutt Boxing Club.

70 "N.Z. Methodist Times", February 1963. 71 Minute Book of Quarterly Meetings. Page 48 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 Her motor scooter soon became uneconomic and the circuit provided a new car for Sister Janet. It was decided that a section should be purchased for a second parsonage and in February 1963 a section in a right-of-way off Hikurangi Street was purchased with a grant of £1,000. Tenders for a church at Te Mama were let in 1964. In December 1963 Mr Parker told the Quarterly Meeting that he would be leaving Upper Hutt. The meeting placed on record his "care and concern for people". Early in 1964 the Rev. Trevor Bennett was inducted. Mr Bennett came to Upper Hutt from a rural district in Mid-Canterbury and there was a family of four young children. The church took a good look at its financial situation and found itself deeply in debt. The areas in which the church had invested money had not lived up to the expected growth in population and the Cottle Street church was on the edge of a housing development, not in the centre as envisaged. Much the same thing had happened at Te Marua, but building of a church had already begun. At a meeting held at Upper Hutt on 9 June 1964, in consultation with the Rev. B. M. Chrystall, it was decided "that in view of the debt structure and the size of the circuit" two things had to be done. The Benzie Avenue buildings had to be replaced and the question of "a second agent" to be stationed in the Cottle Street area had to be settled.72 The meeting decided that February 1966 would be a good date for a new minister to start on the basis that Craigs Flat, across the river, would be developed for housing. It was also decided to have some discussion with the Presbyterians on church union. The Te Marua church was opened on Sunday, 11 October 1966 and it was decided to share this facility with the Anglicans. The building of a second parsonage was begun on the Hikurangi Street section and it was ready for dedication on 27 March 1966 by the Rev. W. F. Ford, of Wellington. The second minister appointed to the circuit, the Rev. Robert Te Whare, was inducted in February 1966, and as he was single, the new parsonage was leased to a couple who boarded the new minister. St Stephen's struggled on for a further two years but in July 1968 the leaders of St Stephen's recommended that "the cause should be closed as soon as suitable arrangements could be made".73 The church was eventually sold to the Upper Hutt Boxing Club. The members of the Upper Hutt Circuit decided that the mission of the church would be more effectively served at one centre in the district and henceforth all efforts would be geared towards upgrading Wesley Church. Wesley Centre and the Rev. J. S. Olds The Rev. J. S. Olds, his wife Viti, and family, took up their appointment at Upper Hutt in February 1969. In April of that year the Trust resolved to commission an .architect

72 Minute Book of Quarterly Meetings. 73 Minute Book of Quarterly Meetings. Page 49 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 to design a new building at Upper Hutt and Messrs Girdlestone and Milchell were appointed.

Rev. J. S. Olds, Chaplain of the 17th Hutt Galley Company, Girls' Brigade, with two Queens' award girls, Yvonne Middlebeek and Rowena Gibbons, May, 1977. Soon after her arrival Mrs Olds formed a children's choir to sing at the morning service and this choir is still in existence. The Rev. Olds, meantime, began to put new vigour and heart into the circuit. To gather together funds for the new building it was decided that the Te Marua property should be sold, with church members at Te Marua agreeing to use the local library for services. Although discussions were still continuing with the local Presbyterians on the question of church union it was decided at a congregational meeting that the development of the Benzie Avenue site "has much to offer the community and City of Upper Hutt". Further, that the development of the Benzie Avenue site should be considered "as part of the development of the church within the possible Union Parish".74 It was on this point that discussions with St David's foundered. The Presbyterians wanted to delay any building until after union and while discussions between the two groups continued the Methodist representatives reported that the meetings "did not seem to have much real enthusiasm".75 A major fund-raising effort was begun by the circuit in 1970, the main event being a queen carnival which raised $2,520. The architects' plans were approved subject to the results of discussions with St David's, but the congregation felt that in view of the effort made by them in raising funds, St David's be advised that Wesley could not further delay its building proposals. In July 1971 the Quarterly Meeting authorised the trust to apply to the Home Mission Fund for a loan. The new building began to take shape. In May 1973 it was decided to

74 Minute Book of Quarterly Meetings. 75 Minute Book of Quarterly Meetings. Page 50 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 open a thrift shop "which has the aim of providing funds for the church and charitable organisations".76 The revenue from the shop helped to bolster the new church building fund and it proved to be a useful venture which is well patronised still by a wide spectrum of the community. In October 1973 the new building at Wesley Centre was completed and it was opened on Saturday, 6 October by the President of the Methodist Conference, the Rev. W. S. Dawson. It was called a place for people, "building upon the past and for the future". 77At the first Sunday morning service the sermon was preached by the Rev. L. Schroeder, who had begun his work as a minister in Upper Hutt in 1950. The building of the new church owed a great deal to the enthusiasm and perseverance of the Rev. J. S. Olds. At its Quarterly Meeting on 24 April 1974 the circuit expressed "its grateful appreciation to Stan and Viti Olds. In particular it expresses its gratitude to Stan for his caring ministry, and preaching gifts and for his vision, leadership and drive, which have played such a major part in the establishment of Wesley Centre".78 In June 1974 St David's made a further approach to Wesley on the question of church union. A team of negotiators comprising the Rev J. S. Olds, Mesdames Whitton, Girven and Miss Middlebeek, and Messrs McCarthy, Bolitho, Park, Mason, Russell and Thomas was elected to negotiate on behalf of the circuit. By October 1974 the team had the first draft of a proposal to forward to the higher church court for comment and approval and negotiations continued throughout 1975 on the basis of a co-operating rather than a union parish. In August 1975 the opportunity arose for the circuit to purchase a property on one of its boundaries and the quarterly meeting in August gave approval to the purchase of 64 Martin Street in anticipation of further expansion, with the property being let meantime. Two months later, in October, copies of the draft constitution for the co-operating parish were available. After some discussion it was agreed "that we proceed to vote as scheduled".79 On 14 March 1976 the Upper Hutt Methodist Circuit joined St David's, Iona and St Andrew's Presbyterian Churches in the formation of the Upper Hutt Co- operating Parish.

76 Minute Book of Quarterly Meetings. 77 Minute Book of Quarterly Meetings. 78 Minute Book of Quarterly Meetings, April 24 1974. 79 Minute Book of Quarterly Meetings, October 1975. Page 51 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 Circuit Stewards of the Upper Hutt Methodist Church—1927-76 1927-1937; 1943-1950—W.O. Thomas 1927-1929—J. Purser 1929-1934—D. L. Lewis 1934-1941—O. B. Sims 1938-1941—H. Heyhoe 1941-1944—H. Reynolds 1943-1950—H. C. Christian 1948-1953—A. Purser 1952—Mr Andrews 1953-1955—Mr Ackroyd 1955—Mrs Wright 1955-1957; 1962; 1969-1976—H. N. McCarthy 1955-1957; 1963-1966—K. Russell 1957-1964—T. Matthews 1958-1961—J. Munro 1965-1968—R. Baxter 1969-1972—F. Thomas 1973-1976—J. Bolitho

Page 52 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 OTHER FACETS OF PARISH LIFE WOMEN'S GROUPS Presbyterian and Methodist women have always played an active role in church affairs. They were organists or choir members, Sunday. School teachers or Bible Class secretaries. Organisations founded specifically for women had a dual role, to provide fellowship and to raise funds for the church. The early records of St David's refer to the P.W.M.U., which was founded mainly to aid missionaries in their work but which often contributed to St David's uncertain budget. It was the need for a new manse which galvanised the St David's ladies into organising themselves into a special group. The wife of a home missionary, Mrs Buchanan, is given the credit of being the Guild's founder, in March 1911, to raise funds for the building of a manse. In September 1912 the Board of Managers allowed the newly formed group to have its own secretary and treasurer. The Guild proved to be an excellent money-raising organisation. During the First World War it collected funds to reduce the debt on the manse and, in addition, made flannel waistcoats for soldiers. In 1918, when the manse debt was paid off, the Guild set about raising money for a new organ. It became an accepted thing for the minister's wife to be president of the Guild, but there have been some notable exceptions, among them being Mrs E. Wallis, Mrs M. Robertson, Miss Elizabeth Dale, Mrs Forster and Mrs E. Neighbours. Mrs Clara Holmes made a great impact on members during her four-year presidency. She was a skilled needlewoman and organised a number of very successful sales of work. Some church members still remember the "double-backed flannel pyjamas" she made for sale. She also recognised the need for the Mangaroa women to have an organisation of their own where they could meet and work, and in 1925 the Wallaceville Ladies' Guild was started with Mrs W. Gorrie as the first president and Mrs F. Scholes as secretary. This group continued until 1957. As new churches were built, new Guilds were formed within the parish to cater for the needs of the women in their own community. Mr Hunt asked the St David's Guild members to assist St Andrew's ladies establish their own group. In 1950 the younger women in the church felt that the Guild did not cater for their special needs and a new group, the Women's Club, was formed for younger women. Similar clubs were formed at St Margaret's and St Andrew's at the same time. In the northern part of the district, Mrs A. F. Taylor formed a Friendly Circle to cater for the needs of young mothers in the district. This group decided to raise money for the building of a church.

Page 53 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 When Iona became a separate parish there were three separate women's groups, the Friendly Circle, the P.W.M.U. and a Fireside Group. A co-ordinating committee under the presidency of Mrs F. Scholes was set up in 1961. In 1964 it was decided at a national level to combine all the women's groups into the Association of Presbyterian Women. The St David's Guild and P.W.M.U. later decided to combine and hold afternoon meetings while the Women's Club continued to meet in the evening. When the Co-operating Parish was formed, the Evening A.P.W. at St David's and St Andrew's joined the Wesley Fellowship, while the Afternoon A.P.W. at St David's retained its identity, as did the Iona women's group. Iona now has .a day-time group and an evening group under the one president, Mrs P. McNab. The Wesley women's groups followed a similar pattern to those of the Presbyterian women. A Women's Guild was mentioned first in 1929, and in 1932 there was a reference to a Foreign and Home Mission group led by Mrs Purser. A group to cater for the needs of younger women was started in 1948. Called the Fireside Group, it met in private homes, with Miss Colclough as its first secretary. In May 1959 it was decided to merge the three groups into the Wesley Fellowship. The Fellowship met at the church and elected a president on a two-year rotation. The first president was Mrs Esme Baxter. One of Fellowship's first money-raising campaigns was to provide an oil-burning heater for the Druid's Hall. This year, Fellowship has set itself the task of raising $1,600 to pay for the chairs at the new Brown Owl centre. Members of Fellowship serve on a voluntary basis in the thrift shop and some started an entertainment group called Wesley Revue.

Page 54 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 YOUTH WORK Youth work is an integral part of any church and I have tried to incorporate many of the events in the main body of the text. However, there were people who were particularly involved with youth work, and it would be inappropriate to write a history of this kind without mentioning them. Sunday Schools When he established a Sunday School in the Rose of Sharon Hall eighteen months before St David's was built, Mr Grant was creating a precedent. In Upper Hutt, Sunday Schools be-came the forerunners of a church. Miss Emma Taylor, who taught Sunday School and Bible Class for many years, remembers coming to St David's Sunday School as a child in the first years of the century. She came with a friend, liked it, and stayed on. Eventually the rest of her family came to St David's. Her brother, Mr A. F. Taylor, was Session Clerk, while her sister, Mrs Gellen, was organist for many years. During the early years there were Sunday Schools at Akatarawa, Karapoti and Wallaceville. The Wallaceville Sunday School ran intermittently over a period of fifty years. At Silverstream, a Sunday School began some time before 1925 with Mr Godber as Superintendent, and in October 1932, the Trentham congregation asked for a Sunday School to be set up with Mr Moor as its first Superintendent. The history of Mrs Taylor's Exchange Street Sunday School has already been traced in an earlier chapter. It is hard to realise today the enthusiasm and zeal with which earlier teachers and superintendents regarded their jobs. Mr Duff was Superintendent of St David's for thirteen years from 1921, combining this job with that of Session Clerk. His successor, Captain Withell, who was Superintendent until 1940, was also choirmaster for a number of years. When he died at a comparatively young age in 1946, Session set up the Withell Memorial Bible Fund of £40 to enable Sunday School scholars to compete annually on a project. Today interest from the fund provides Bibles for some pupils. St David's and St Andrew's both had children's choirs for a number of years. The St David's choir was a regular feature of Sunday morning worship until 1966. Other offshoots of the Sunday School were the Young Worshippers League and the Busy Bees. The Methodist Sunday School dates from 1928. It had a small but steady number of scholars throughout the first twenty years. During Sister Edith's stay in the district she paid special attention to the Sunday School. A thriving Sunday School grew up at Pinehaven with Mr V. Ackroyd as its Superintendent in the 1950s. In 1955 extra rooms were built on the back of the Upper Hutt church "mainly for the use of the Sunday School".

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Mr. J. O. Duff, St. David’s Session Clerk, and Sunday School Superintendent. A Sunday School at Te Marua was opened in February 1956 "in Miss Rockels' bach" with Mrs V. B. Earle as Superintendent. It was open to children of all denominations. The Cottle Street Sunday School was opened in March 1956 and catered for children in Trentham who had previously gone to Sunday School at Trentham Camp. It was hoped that it would cater jointly for Methodist and Presbyterian children in the area. Mr J. Tobin was the first Superintendent. From 1969, when Mrs Viti Olds come to Upper Hutt, there has been a junior choir contributing to Sunday morning worship. Superintendents at Wesley Sunday School since 1954 have been F. Thomas, H. Gibbon, G. Heppleston and A. Hawke. Bible Class Bible Classes have been held for young people in all of the church centres and the support and level of activity has fluctuated over the years, largely dependent on the nature of the leadership available. At various times groups have developed into strong units, contributing to the life of the church, then tending to fall away, and in some cases ceasing to function altogether for a period. While little is recorded of the activities of these groups over the last one hundred years there is no doubt that they have played an important part in the lives of many of the people who have made the Upper Hutt Co-operating Parish what it is today.

Yesterday’s Hotrods: Boys from St David’s Bible Class with the transport used by the group to travel to Kaitoke to take Sunday School there in the mid 1930’s. Page 56 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 THE UPPER HUTT CO-OPERATING PARISH 1976-1979

TO THE PRESENT The inaugural service of the Co-operating Parish was held in the Upper Hutt Civic Hall on Sunday, 14 March 1976. The members of each of the four congregations had been able to elect people to represent them on the newly formed Parish Council. The three ministers already in Upper Hutt, the Revs. J. S. Olds, W. J. Baker and Dr C. Sherriff, became part of a team of four ministers. A board of nomination had already been set up to elect a fourth. The Rev. I. A. Milner was inducted into the parish on 9 September 1976. The ministerial team included two laymen, H. N. McCarthy and J. N. Kemp, and met weekly. Mr Kemp, who was formerly Session Clerk at St Andrew's, has now moved to Masterton. The present treasurer of the parish is D. N. A. Davis and the secretary C. A. Oram.

Rev. Ian Milner and Mrs Ruth Milner who joined the Co-operating Ministry Team in 1976. It had been decided that the St David's site should be sold and the proceeds contributed towards the development of the Wesley Centre site. In July 1976 St David's Church was demolished. During the same month, the old manse, St David's House, was let to a refugee family (the Espinoza family) from Chile. The family comprised two adults and four children. The site, which now comprised the two manses and a hall, was offered to the Wellington Hospital Board as a possible site for a health centre. However, negotiations fell through and the property is still in use for church purposes. In July 1977 the parish conducted a stewardship campaign and members responded to this appeal for increased financial support. Associated with this stewardship campaign was an appeal for pledges for the development of a new church centre at Brown Owl and the response in pledges more than met the $25,000 target that had been set.

Page 57 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 In August 1977 the Rev J. S. Olds, who had been Chairman of the Parish Council since its inception, died suddenly. His contribution to the development of the Upper Hutt Methodist Circuit, followed by his role in the development of the Co-operating Parish was acknowledged by all who were involved and his death was keenly felt by the parish. At the time of the inauguration of the Co-operating Parish, St David's members, being without their own minister following the departure of the Rev. N. Creighton, received much support and pastoral care from the Rev. Olds and the shared grief in his passing proved to have a unifying effect on the now combined congregation at the Wesley Centre. The vacancy created by the death of the Rev. Olds was filled by the Rev. Graeme McIver, who joined the parish from Timaru in February 1978.

Rev. Graeme McIver, Mrs Beatrice McIvor and their daughters Jennifer and Linda. Mr. MrIver joined the Co-operating Parish Ministry Team in 1978, and both he and Ian Milner are based at the Wesley Centre. From 8 to 15 October 1978 the entire parish was involved in "Centrepoint". This was a week when the whole parish had an opportunity to meet together and discuss various aspects of the work of the church in Upper Hutt. There were two guest speakers, the Revs. Warwick Gust and Duncan Jamieson, from Napier. The Rev. Jamieson is married to the daughter of J. C. McCaw, St David's longest-serving minister. In March 1979 the Rev. W. J. Baker resigned to take up a position as chaplain at Woodbourne Air Force Station. He has been replaced by the Rev. John Howell from Auckland, who will be based at Brown Owl. Dr C; B. Sherriff will retire at the end of this year and another minister is being sought to replace him. In addition, Mrs Gwen Johnston has been commissioned as an honorary lay worker. The new parish set itself three main objectives—to establish effective outreach and development in the northern part of the parish; the development of the Benzie Avenue site as the main centre; a mission in tertiary education institutions in the southern part of the parish. The first objective is well on the way to realisation. By June 1978 plans and specifications for a new church complex at Brown Owl had been approved by the Page 58 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 appropriate committees of both churches at national level. The section chosen was one owned by the Presbyterian Church on what had once been part of the St Joseph's Orphanage farm and the estimated cost for the building is $70,000.

Rev. John Howell who was inducted into the Upper Hutt Co-operating Parish ministry team on 2 August 1979. The official opening of the Brown Owl Centre will be an integral part of the parish centennial celebrations over the weekend 31 August-2 September 1979. The first service in the new centre is planned for Sunday, 9 September 1979. This further example of outreach is a fitting achievement to mark this, the centenary of our parish. M. E. EVANS, Upper Hutt. July 1979

With the completion of the new building on the corner of Fergusson Drive and Benzie Avenue, in 1973, the Wesley Centre is now an extensive complex linked as it is to the old Church and to the old Wesley Hall.

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Another working party. The ministers at retreat From left: Rev. Ian Milner, Mr Noel McCarthy, Rev. Dr. Colin Sherriff, Rev. Winston Baker, Rev. Graeme McIver.

AND TOWARDS THE FUTURE It is good to look back into our past to some of the events and people that shaped the development of what is today known as the Upper Hutt Co-operating Parish. The traditions and loyalties of each denomination are to some extent still apparent, and rightly so, but the melding of these traditions has become more and more evident. The last three years has been a time of adjustment and settling in and that period is now almost behind us. We have an extensive plant, both land and buildings, well utilised not only by the church family but by many community organisations. However, our greatest assets are our people, of all ages, drawn from all walks of life and at varying stages of commitment to the church and all it stands for. When we reflect on that which has been achieved by our people in the last one hundred years, achieved in the face of all manner of difficulties, the justification of their faith and conviction is clearly evident in the parish as it stands today. If that same commitment, enthusiasm and energy shown by the story unfolded in the history of the parish is carried forward into the coming years then those who write up the next chapters of our parish outreach to Upper Hutt should have much to record.

Acknowledging all that has come "from quiet homes and first beginning" the present gives thanks to God for the past and looks to Him for strength and foresight to go into the future.

Page 60 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Minutes of Quarterly Meetings—Methodist Church 1927-1976 "Flickers the Flame" by William Greenwood (cyclostyled 1946) St David's Session Books 1913-1976 St David's Board of Managers Records 1879-1976 St Andrew's Management Committee Minute Books 1933-1966 St Andrew's Session Books 1966-1976 lona Session Books 1959-1961; 1965-1976 Cyclostyled Jubilee Booklet—Seventy-fifth Jubilee of St David's (1953) Cyclostyled Notes by L. Gorrie for Sixtieth Jubilee, Wallaceville Church (1953) Note Books of Ladies' Guild, St David's Note Books of Mrs Taylor's Sunday School Records of Ladies Guild, Wallaceville "Upper Hutt" by J. A. Kelleher (1971) Miss Emma Taylor, Trentham Mrs F. Scholes, Mangaroa Mrs P. McNab, Mangaroa Mr and Mrs Clif Oram, Upper Hutt Mr and Mrs Noel McCarthy, Upper Hutt Mrs Marsh, Trentham Mr F. Aipe, Silverstream Mrs E. Baxter, Upper Hutt Rev. Ian Milner, Upper Hutt "1852-1952, Knox Church, Lower Hutt" Centennial Booklet

Page 61 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 PHOTOS AROUND THE PARISH IN 1979

A group of juniors from the Girls’ Brigade.

Boys’ Brigade inspection at St David’s Hall.

Meal line-up at the Parish Family Camp, El Rancho, Waikanae

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The Parish Treasurer, considering another request for funds?

Leaving worship at St Andrews.

The Junior Choir at Wesley Centre. Led by Mrs Viti Olds, this choir makes an important contribution to Sunday morning worship.

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A group at the Women’s Dinner, a Parish function held at the Wesley Centre.

At the Fancy Dress Parade, Parish Family Tea.

A demonstration by the professionals at the Parish Scottish Dancing Evening in St. David’s Hall.

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Discussion group at Parish Family Camp.

A group at the Friday Night Youth Club.

Settling in at the Evening Youth Group House Camp.

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Wesley Revue in action.

Washing up in the Wesley kitchen.

At a Tupperware party.

A leatherwork demonstration by the 3rd Upper Hutt Company.

Page 66 From Quiet Homes and First Beginnings 1879-1979 OUTREACH TO THE FUTURE BROWN OWL CENTRE

Laying the Foundation Stone. Planned as a family centre, the Wakelin family were invited to lay the foundation stone at a service held on 11 March 1979.

Centre under construction.

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Centre under construction.

Completion is assured for the official opening ceremony on Saturday 1 September 1979, Forming part of the Parish Centennial Celebration.

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