From a pamphlet in our family archives.

KAIKORAI PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Minister : THE REV. A. R. HARPER

EIGHTY-FIRST
Anniversary Services
JULY 24, 1949

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Morning.

Hymn 229—All people that on earth do dwell.
Prayer,
Scripture-Isaiah 55, 6-11.
Children's Address.
Psalm 23, tune 144 - The Lord's my Shepherd.
Scripture-John 6, 27-35.
Solo-Mrs. D. Routledge.
Prayer.
Hymn 364—Thou Whose Almighty Word.
Intimations and Offertory.
Sermon-The Very Rev. D. C. HERRON, M.C., M.A., D.D.
Hymn 313—According to Thy gracious word.
The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.
Hymn 139—All hail the power of Jesu's Name.
Benediction.

Evening.
Hymn 36-Eternal Light.
Prayer.
Scripture-Isaiah 40, 1-11.
Psalm 145, tune 9-O Lord Thou art my God.
Scripture—1 Peter 1, 15-25.
Solo—Mr. J. Paterson.
Prayer.
Hymn 388-Jesus shall reign.
Intimations and Offertory.
Sermon-The Rev. Principal J. A. ALLAN, MA., D.D.
Hymn 607-Great God we sing that mighty hand.
Benediction.
Social Hour to follow.

DIARY OF EVENTS
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The Session of Knox Church opened a preaching station in Stafford Street in 1863; this eventually became St. Andrew's Church. Three years later they began holding Services in Kaikorai; the Rev. Dr. Burns preached in the morning, the Rev. Dr. Stuart in the afternoon and the Rev. Wm. Will in the evening. In 1868 we, the second daughter, became independent; the first Communion Service as a full charge was conducted by the Rev. M. Watt, and the first Minister was called in November of that year.

The Rev. Wm. Alves, M.A., came from Aberdeenshire; he was one of those who left the Established Church at the Disruption; he was a scholar, and the author of a volume on Ephesians. The next Minister, the Rev. A. Blake, also belonged to the Free Church; after some missionary work in Madras and experience of parish work in Wales he came to minister to the Maoris at the Otago Heads and was called to Kaikorai in 1872. The Rev. R. R. M. Sutherland came from Caithness, Scotland, and was inducted in 1879. During his forty-year Ministry he saw many changes and the development of the parish in different directions. Following him in 1919 came the Rev. W. R. Hutchison; he was born in India where his father was a missionary; in the first World War he became a Chaplain to the N.Z. Forces. In 1925 the Rev. D. J. Albert, an Englishman, arrived to take charge; his was a short Ministry and he was succeeded by the Rev, J. D. Smith in 1927. He also was a Chaplain to the Forces, and recently his elevation to the office of the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian was a fitting recognition of the years of active service in the Church. In 1938, the Rev. T. G. Campbell was welcomed to the parish and like his predecessor served the Church here with great diligence; he became a Chaplain in the second World War. The present Minister was inducted in the year 1944.

The parish of Kaikorai once took in all the eve could see from the Church grounds; this we judge from the size of the Elders' districts in 1869; East Wakari and Maori Hill Robt. Chapman; West Wakari—Colin Allan; Brockville and Kaikorai Valley David Thomson; Sunnyside and Roslyn — Robt. Hood. In those days turnips grew on Highgate, and Swamp-hens laid eggs by the flax bushes in the bogs where the Valley road now runs.

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As the place became more thickly populated we begin to read of preaching stations here and there. In 1873 Whare Flat became one; in 1889 there was talk of a Mission Hall down the Valley; in 1889 a Service was begun at the Brockville Hall; services were begun at Ashburn Hall also, and early this century Maori Hill and Roslyn became separate charges. With the closer settlement by the Mill there is the prospect of a regular Service being held shortly in that area.

A few points of interest may be usefully included here. In 1880 the Organ was introduced; in 1881 the Envelope system came in but seems to have lapsed for we read of it being reintroduced in 1918. The year 1889 saw the replacement of Communion Tokens by Cards, and in 1893 the Collection was taken up at the pew instead of at the door as had been the custom. In 1869 it was decided to buy Communion plate and in 1901 individual cups were brought in. A. point worth noting is that in 1904 a service of Communion plate was given to the Chinese Church in Dunedin. The Communion Table and Font were donated by a lady who has given generously to the Church at all times. The trees in the grounds were planted in 1919; they are Memorials to the first four Ministers of the Church and such battles of the first World War as Jutland, Gallipoli, Somme and others.

The original Church soon grew too small for the parish and this was removed to the rear of the present building. The new Church was opened in 1906, and a container was laid with the foundation stone; the following are the contents: Evening Star, Otago Daily Times, Outlook, photos of the Manse, Minister and family, and three photos of the district; the names of the men at the door, the Order of Service, and several coins and cards, among other things. To the large hall there was added in the course of time the Bible Class Hall and the Sutherland Hall.

It is eighty-one years now since the Church became a full charge; in that time a wonderful community spirit has grown up through the activity of the Church in the district. However the older pioneers have passed on, their children have moved away, and a generation of newcomers has appeared with their young children. A change has come over the whole district; we are passing through a transition time as the Presbytery Visitation Committee remarked recently. The Sunday Schools are beginning to feel the influx of larger numbers as the day schools are, and we may look forward to the rebuilding of this community spirit in the near future. A youth movement has begun to flourish in our midst and everything augurs well for a prosperous time ahead as of old.