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Clevedon celebrates past while gearing up for growth

This year Clevedon Presbyterian Church celebrates 150 years since the opening of the first church in the greater Wairoa area.

In the year 1858, St Andrew’s Presbyterian as it was known then began as an expansion of the national church to bring Christian love and teaching to the rural south of Auckland. The life and ministry as it was first established with St Andrews Presbyterian continues to thrive after nearly 150 years as we continue to grow in the Clevedon area.

With the anticipated growth and development to the Clevedon and surrounding districts planned in the next few years, Clevedon Presbyterian is looking forward with plans of building another church building. The vision and plans for this new development are already underway with land purchased and discussions with local councils well advanced. This new church will reflect the mission that has been a part of the congregation for years, with the hope of drawing people closer to the heart of God. Everything from the layout of the land, the ministries and support to the people who will serve there will bear witness to the faithfulness of the first pioneers.

Plans to celebrate this year include: an anniversary country dance with supper, a church production later in the year, open days for the community at Play group, Mainly Music and Clevedon Kidz in the first week of December, youth group reunion with past/present leaders, past/present members, past/present musicians, and the big weekend of events with opportunities to meet old friends who have moved away from the parish, an anniversary dinner in the Clevedon Hall with a keynote speaker, presentations and social time, and on the Sunday an anniversary service followed by a shared lunch. The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church will speak during the service.

By Lori Hill