New Church Foundation Stone

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1916

The Hawkes Bay Herald – 24 May, 1916

New Baptist Church: Foundation Stone Laid In Hastings

The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new Baptist Church to be erected in Karamu Road, Hastings was performed yesterday afternoon by Mr C. Cathie, president of the Baptist Union, in the presence of a considerable number of members of the church and others.

The pastor, the Rev. H. E Edridge, expressed satisfaction at seeing so many present to celebrate such an important event in the history of the church in Hastings, which was making such rapid progress that it had been found necessary to erect a larger building to meet its growing needs.

The Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt, Methodist minister, spoke of the church at the present day as a great restraining power, a great sustaining power, and a great impelling power, which it was imperative to have in full operation for church organisation. The Rev. G. Menzies, Baptist minister, Napier, delivered a short address on the work Baptists had done and what the Baptist denomination stood for.

Mr Cathie, in declaring the stone well and truly laid, said the Baptist Church was the first church formed. He referred to the great sacrifices of the early reformers, and as children of the Reformation they must work to maintain the freedom that was won for them then.

The Hon. Dr. McNab, M.P., said he thought the Baptists of Hastings were quite justified in building a new church. As a result of the war there was great suffering and sorrow in the world, and the church was looked to for solace and comfort in the hour of distress. There was need more than ever to encourage attendance at church. Previous to the war in France, the people were indifferent, but a great change had come over them, and today they were flocking to the churches. The church, in helping the moral life of the people, made things much easier in regard to the general government of the people, and the church was a very helpful ally to the politician in that direction.

Selections were played by the Salvation Army Band, which also, played the National Anthem at the close of the proceedings.

A silver trowel with which the stone was laid was presented by Messrs Stanley Bros., the contractors, to Mr Cathie. The architect for the new building is Mr H. G. Davies, of Hastings.