The Papakura Crossroads Methodist Church congregation and Commercial Property Committee recently celebrated three significant anniversaries. Bill Peddie reports on a weekend in April when an estimated 230 folk gathered to remember and celebrate local church history.

Like many of the District Methodist parishes, our local church and the supporting properties have undergone significant changes through the years. The first Methodist church in Papakura was established as a shed-like building in 1855 and was requisitioned for a redoubt by British troops during the land wars. When it was handed back to the church it was in such a poor state it required rebuilding. Successive churches were constructed, and 100 years ago early local Methodist leaders put up their first commercial building -the Premier Building - at the corner of what became the Great South Road and Broadway.

Our celebration weekend focused on three milestones. The first was the 100 years celebration for the Premier Building and what became the Church Commercial Property Trust. The second was this year’s 50-year celebration for the building of the main part of the present Crossroads Church complex. The third marker to celebrate was a substantial upgrade 30 years ago, modernising the complex into its present configuration.

A highlight of the celebrations was the production of two significant histories published for our weekend. The first, launched by the Commercial Property Committee at their Saturday lunch, was 100 Not Out, a well-presented illustrated history of the Premier Building organised by the current Trust chair, John Shaw, and collated by a local historian, Toni Reid. The second, assembled into a fascinating package by Robin Buchan, was the story behind the influences and highlights of our local church history, entitled Crossroads Forward to Fifty.

Many of those attending enjoyed meeting up with past acquaintances, and renewing friendships with past leaders and those who shared common experiences. The church service was led by Rev Faiva Aleatua (the current Samoan presbyter) and Rev Suresh Chandra who is presbyter for the other part of the congregation.

Myra Smith , one of our earlier gifted music leaders, was our guest organist. Past presbyters Norman Brookes, Murray McMeikan, Faleatua Faleatua and Peter Williamson shared some brief memories. The architect of the original complex, Brad Shaw, was also in attendance.

We appreciated the presence of Methodist Vice President Te Rito Peyroux-Semu who delivered the main address. The Bible readings were presented by Raewyn Parris, daughter of the Rev Graham Bell, presbyter when the 1972 church building was commissioned, Judy Bennett, daughter of the Rev Clement, who as President dedicated the 1972 church building, and Patisepa Tala’imanu representing the current Samoan congregation as well as her late father, Rev Aso Saleupolu.

The congregation responded well to the coordinated action song item from a large Samoan youth group. The music had further connections with the congregation in that hymns sung were composed by Norman Brookes and Jan Chamberlin. Another item was presented by the South Auckland Choral who have rehearsed and performed regularly in our church since the early 1970s.

Our final hymn “Tell Out my Soul” was sung to the backdrop of a video clip made at our church in 2003 as part of the TV series Praise Be. Seeing ourselves as we were 20 years ago was a somewhat sobering experience.