St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Paeroa

Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 28, September 1984

1881 - 1981

By GRETA LOCKE

THE BEGINNING - 1881

Towards the end of the 19th century the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand was faced with the task of providing pastoral care to folk scattered over a large area. It was this concern that led the Presbytery of Auckland to appoint a student minister to work in the South Auckland district comprising Waihi, Waikino, Karangahake, Paeroa, Te Aroha, Morrinsville and Matamata. The appointment was made on February 2nd, 1881 and the student was Thomas A. Norrie who made his headquarters at Paeroa. The mode of travel was by horseback or by horse and gig.

By 1881 Paeroa had become an important terminal for River steamers which plied between Auckland and Ohinemuri. At the wharf in the centre of Paeroa, boats discharged passengers and goods destined for the gold-fields and conveyed thence by arduous road transport which depended on horse power.

Today, the area then covered by Mr Norrie comprises five separate parishes which together form the north-eastern part of Waikato Presbytery and it is difficult to imagine how one person coped with such a vast area.

During the 1880's Mr Norrie at first worked with the other churches in Paeroa by arranging fortnightly services in the old hall. Then the Presbyterians had a congregation of their own meeting in the school and later, with growing numbers, met in the Wharf Street Hall. After a year Mr Norrie left Paeroa to begin training at the Theological Hall in Dunedin. The charge of the parish was taken over by the Revs. W. Ferguson, J. McIntosh and later by Mr Meiklejohn.

In 1889, after completing his training in Dunedin and serving for a time in Nelson, Mr Norrie returned to Paeroa and was ordained as a minister. He and his wife moved to live in Te Aroha as it proved more central for his work. At Paeroa a church was built in Bradley Street.

FIRST ELDERS

The first elders at Paeroa were Mr J.S. Ingram in the town and Mr Brown in the Karangahake area. The Managers who served with them were Messrs. P. Austin and Robsin, the latter being the first secretary of the parish. The Bradley Street church was opened in 1896. The first Sunday School superintendent was Miss Renshaw.

For over eight years Mr Norrie conducted services over the far flung parish. He received hospitality in many different homes, conducting baptismal and wedding services in a variety of places. It was indeed a pioneering ministry. He is quoted as saying that his sermons were often composed to the beat of his horse's feet and that he was proud of the fact that he never failed to keep an engagement or to be late for church. (There must be some praise for the horse - a horse which not only kept its master on time, but also shared in sermon preparation).

DIVISION OF PARISH

When the Rev. Norrie left Paeroa in 1897, the charge was divided with Waikino, Karangahake and Paeroa becoming a separate parish. For seven years Paeroa was supported with short term ministries supplied by the Rev. E.O. Perry, J. Bertram, Dr. E. Kemp and the Revs. J. Fussel and J. McArthur. While Rev. McArthur was minister the charge became a self-supporting parish. During this period Waikino and Karangahake folk managed their own affairs, with Paeroa remaining as the central executive. A church was opened at Karangahake in 1902 and an enthusiastic Sunday School was fostered by Mr. Searle, Mr and Mrs Ritchie and the Miss Napiers.

ST. ANDREW'S FIRST CALL

In 1904 the Rev. H.J. Lewis accepted Paeroa's first "Call" to a minister and he was followed by the Rev. R.E. Evans when a property was purchased in Hill Street for a Manse. Then, during the ministry of the Rev. A. Gow, the land now occupied by St. Andrew's was purchased and the building of a new Church followed quickly. This was authorised on 9 March 1909 and a tender for £725 was accepted and the building was ready for use on 1 August 1909. It was designed by Mr E.E. Gillman, architect of Paeroa and reflects great credit on his skill. (The original plan has been donated to the Paeroa Museum by his son).

The pulpit was made of various N.Z. woods by Messrs McAndrew& Co., the outstanding timber merchants of Paeroa. The organ and various furnishing were gifted to the new Church and the old building was sold to the Druid's Lodge. Two sections were purchased in King Street and upon acceptance of a tender from Mr J.W. Forrest, a new manse was built in kauri for £319/7/10.

In November 1909, the Rev. Gow accepted a Call to Hamilton and then the Rev. J. Lowery was inducted at Paeroa. While here he married Miss Edith Littlejohn of Mackaytown and after five years when he moved to Eltham, the Rev. T.W. Robertson took his place.

BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA

August 1917 was a sad time for the people and for the Church at Karangahake. Families were leaving the area to seek new fields of endeavour and employment. The Church building was sold and moved to Ngaruawahia and later the Hall was moved to Paeroa where it is still very much used.

In June 1919 the Rev. Frank MacDonald came to St. Andrew's with a stipend of £250 per annum plus £15 benzine allowance. This is the first time that benzine was mentioned in church records, thus marking the "March of Time". It was also at this time that a telephone was installed in the manse. After 3 years Rev. MacDonald was followed by the Rev. E. Morgan.

Bible Classes began in the early 1920's in the Rev. Morgan's ministry, in Paeroa and Karangahake, and the two classes combined for outings and socials. District Committee was held once a month in Hamilton, and a delegation usually attended from Paeroa and Karangahake.

Easter Camps and frequent Rallies held in different centres in the Waikato area were well attended and life-long friendships made.

Rev. J. Lowden was inducted in May 1926 and during his ministry the church building was erected at Netherton.

The next ministers to come to St. Andrew's were the Rev. R.J. Friffiths [Griffiths ? – E] and in 1937, the Rev. R.D. McEwen. In 1941 he resigned and was followed by a Home Missionary, Mr T.H. Jamieson and then by Mr G.W. Moore, a lay preacher, from March 1944. During his term the Karangahake church hall was moved to Paeroa and opened free of debt. The Rev. L.G.B. Whitehead accepted a Call to the parish in 1946. He came from Fiji and served in the parish for nine years and was very popular with returned soldiers. The Paeroa and Hauraki R.S.A. accorded him with the honour of being its chaplain. In June 1955, the Rev. Whitehead accepted a Call to Taradale.

The next minister to come to St. Andrew's was also to be made chaplain to the Paeroa and Hauraki R.S.A. He was the Rev. J.F. Rennie who was "Mentioned in Dispatches" for his conduct at sea as a member of the Royal Navy during the Great War.

FIFTIETH JUBILEE OF CHURCH BUILDING

The Fiftieth Jubilee of St. Andrew's Church was celebrated in 1959. Monthly services continued to be held at Karangahake, Tirohia and Netherton, as well as the two services each Sunday in Paeroa. After many years as organist, Mrs Tubman resigned in 1961 as she was leaving the district. As organist, she was followed by Miss Beverley Roach with assistance from Miss Judith Roberts and Mr Alistair Buchanan. Judith and Alistair still remain as regular organists at morning services, together with Mrs Elaine Lovelock and Mrs E. Brown, now in her mid eighties.

In 1962 the Rev. Rennie retired and after a period of vacancy, the Rev. L.M. Rogers, M.A. (Minister Emeritus), was appointed on a yearly Supply basis. His much appreciated ministry began in 1964 and ended in 1970. The Rev. Rogers was an experienced Historian and when the Paeroa Society was founded, due to his inspiration, he became its first President. The "Ohinemuri Historical Journal" is now in its 20th year of production.

In 1968 new doors, with glass panels inscribed with the Burning Bush emblem, were donated to the Church. In 1969 Netherton services had diminished to only two a year while monthly services continued at Karangahake and Tirohia. The Rev. B.W. Weston was ordained and inducted to the charge of St. Andrew's in December, 1970. In 1975 he accepted a Call to the parish of Waitara and during the vacancy, the Rev. D. Grierson served as interim-moderator for a period of eighteen months.

Following the sale of church properties (Netherton and Karangahake), the parish moved quickly to build the new manse which now stands at 11 King Street. Erected and fitted with essential furnishings, it was ready for occupation early in 1977. The parish raised £11,000 in a short period to ensure that the home was opened debt free.

In May 1977 the Rev. J.H. Oliver, who had provided Supply for the previous six months, accepted a Call to St. Andrew's.

NOTABLE PARISH PERSONALITIES

MISS LYLIE BUCHANAN trained at the Presbyterian Training Institute for three years, specialising in Religious Education. She was ordained in 1930 and appointed Dominion Travelling Secretary for the Young Women's Bible Class Movement, a position she held for three years until her marriage to the Rev. D.N. Pryor.

MISS NESSIE MORGAN began work in the Maori Mission Field. After a time she attended Deaconess College, was ordained and worked as Deaconess at St. John's Church, Wellington.

MISS JEAN MILROY, an enthusiastic Bible Class Leader of Mackaytown trained as a Teacher before she devoted her life to work in the Maori Mission Field. While teaching at Maungapohatu in the isolated Urewera country, she became an honorary Missionary, later serving for 20 years in the Kawerau and Waiohau districts.

The greatest tribute to Jean Milroy's work was given by the Maori people amongst whom she had worked. On her death in 1970 a most moving Tangi was held in her honour on the Ohope Marae, when both Maori and Pakeha people of various denomination paid their deep respect.

DR. ALLAN NORTH, after growing up in the Sunday School and Bible Class of St. Andrew's, left to continue his studies at Auckland Grammar and University where he gained his B.E. Degree. He worked on the East Coast Railway until the depression came and work was no longer available. He returned to Dunedin to study, working for a medical degree. After qualifying he went to Te Whaiti in the heart of the Urewera country, where he served a very extensive district, and became deeply involved in the work of the Presbyterian Maori Mission. Dr. North was there for 24 years and was greatly esteemed by all who knew him. The quality of his service was recognised when he was honoured by receiving the M.B.E. After his retirement he lived and practiced in Athenree until his death.

MISS LOIS SLYFIELD left Paeroa to train as a nurse. She later left New Zealand with her husband, the Rev. Rowland Harries, for the Sudan United Mission Field. They were in Africa for 12 years and upon returning to New Zealand, the Rev. Harries accepted a Call to Knox Church, Hamilton.

MR. W.T. WEST left Paeroa and commenced as a Home Missionary at Turua. He was later ordained and his first parish was at Fordell, Wanganui.

REV. DOUG GRIERSON went from St. Andrew's to train for the ministry. During his ministry he spent some years at Te Aroha parish and is now Chaplain at St. Andrew's School in Christchurch.

MR. JOHN MacDONALD who served in St. Andrew's as Sunday School Teacher and Bible Class leader became a student at Knox Theological College and completed his training in 1982.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

This was started in 1896 by Miss Renshaw. Long service diplomas were awarded to Miss Phipps, Miss Keller and Mr McIntyre who was Teacher and Superintendent for 33 years. Other Superintendents have been: D.T. Inglis, J. Couper, Shirley Catton, Ralph Eades, Noelene Tubman, Bruce Glenny, Jock Stewart, Ena Buchanan, Jo Brocket, Ron Stout, J. Warburton, Robin Noble and Helen Oliver.

KARANGAHAKE, NETHERTON AND TIROHIA SUNDAY SCHOOL

KARANGAHAKE Sunday School had its beginnings before the turn of the century and continued under Mr and Mrs Ritchie for many years. In 1939 Mrs Ritchie received a long service diploma and when she retired, Mrs Morran carried on until the hall was transferred to Paeroa in 1945.

NETHERTON Sunday School was started in 1912 by Mr George Buchanan, followed by Mr Bell, Mrs Walker, Miss A. Whicker, Miss P. Locke and Mrs R. Morrison. The Sunday School went into recess for a number of years, eventually being revived in 1950 by Joy Mackie - with a roll of between 40 and 50 pupils. Joy biked out from Paeroa each fortnight in all weathers. The school continued to grow under Mrs C.B. Buchanan and Mrs G. Fulton until there were over 80 on the roll, but eventually as numbers dwindled and travelling became easier, the church was closed and families worshipped in Paeroa.

TIROHIA started in 1926 with an undenominational Sunday School and with several periods of recess, it continued until the early 1960's. Mr D. Grierson was Superintendent for a time before leaving to train for the ministry. Mr. G. Jackson carried on the work. Worthy of mention is Mr James Couper, Superintendent of Paeroa Sunday School in the early 1900's, who at the same time held Sunday School classes at both Tirohia and Komata.

WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP GROUP

For many years the Fellowship has organised sales of work. In 1980 over $1,000 was raised. As well as this, the members provide practical assistance for service groups within the community and further afield. The visiting of the sick is also a special concern of the Group.

Presidents have been: Mesdames M. Clarke, M. Graham, F. Roberts, P. MacDonald, D. Robinson and L. Tye, who is the present President. The first secretary was Mrs S. Plummer, followed by Mrs F. Roberts, who held the position for 14 years, then Mesdames G. Blair, M. Wilkinson, M. Olsen, M. Wilkinson (second term), O. Buchanan, and G. Locke. Mrs E. Ardern became the first treasurer followed by Mrs Meyer, Miss N. Roberts, Mrs F. Roberts, Mrs Walmsley, Mrs O. Buchanan and Mrs G. Blair.

For many years well supported garden parties were held in the home of the MacAndrew family, Puke Road. In later years, Mr and Mrs W. Noble, Tirohia and Mr and Mrs J.B. Reid, Netherton, hosted these functions. Lately social gatherings, with a hangi, have been held at the Townshend farm and the Tuck Farm.

FRIENDSHIP GROUP

The Friendship Group has been responsible for social afternoon gatherings for senior members of the parish and to see that they are especially remembered at Christmas. This practical Christianity has always been deeply appreciated by old folk.

During the period 1978-80, the vestry was refurbished to make a most attractive meeting room. Bequests have enabled the congregation also to refurbish the church building with new pew cushions, windows and carpet. The exterior and interior of the Church have been repainted.

MEMBERS OF SESSION 1881 - 1981

SESSION CLERKS

[see also in this Journal: Most Beautiful Church - E]