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Use of the First Dunsandel Hall/Library by the Presbyterians
Description
TitleUse of the First Dunsandel Hall/Library by the Presbyterians
DescriptionIt is not clear when members of the Presbyterian Church started using the hall for services, but Mackie (1979) [1] has reported that until 1876 Charles Frazer of the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Christchurch made monthly visits on horseback to hold services in the Upper Selwyn School.
Sometime after this the hall was used, alternating with the Methodists, until the Presbyterian Church was opened on the second Sunday in March 1907.
No mention of this use was found in newspapers, which highlights the limitations of newspaper accounts except two letters to the Editor of the Press [2,3] in August 1889 which shows that at least the Methodists were using the hall regularly.
“Sir,—Recently a company visited Dunsandel, and gave a concert, and were allowed to use the organ (which is kept in the Town Hall) belonging to the Wesleyans. Now, I ask, is it in accordance with Christianity to see an instrument of God's Word used for any kind of amusement that should be given in the hall? Surely not. I sincerely hope the officials of the Church will see their way to prevent such an occurrence again.— Yours, &c, Observer.
And the reply
“Sir, —Upon taking up Monday morning's issue of the Press I noticed a letter signed by " Observer," in which that individual rashly blames the officials of the Wesleyan community for allowing the concert company to use their organ in the public hall last Monday evening. It appears to me that "Mr Observer" rushed headlong into public print without having the slightest knowledge of the circumstances connected with the case. It is quite true, however, that the concert company did use the instrument in question without the steward having the slightest idea of the organ being used for a concert. Nor was the steward aware that the instrument had been used until the following morning. Trusting that "Mr Observer" will in future make stronger investigations into such matters before accusing the Church Steward for transactions for which he was not guilty.—
Yours, &c, Fredk. Lill, Dunsandel.
Other than the regular church services, newspaper records of the Presbyterians using the hall for functions are also not numerous.
The 1891 annual general meeting of the Presbyterian congregation was held in the hall [4].
The new pastor of the Leeston, Brookside and Dunsandel Charge presided.
A vote of thanks was accorded to John McMillan for past services as treasurer and choirmaster.
A committee for 1892, Hugh Brown (treasurer), J. Lochhead, J. A. Cunningham, T. Lochhead, S. McKenzie, D. Craig, D. Mcllraith and Samuel Sherrard.
There was a good attendance at a much enjoyed magic lantern show [5] in the hall by Mr Robson, in August 1891.
In October 1892, the Rev W. Grant, of Leeston, spoke [6] in the hall, for upwards of two hours, to a good audience, on his adventures mountain climbing in New Zealand and Scotland.
The choir also sang selections from Sankey’s hymns during the evening, along with a quartet of Misses Lill and Kelly and Messrs F. Lill and W. Devereux and a solo by Miss A. M. Wright
A hundred magnificent lantern slides, which were voted to have been one of the best collections ever seen by the Dunsandel people, were shown to a packed hall at the anniversary tea and social meeting in March 1920 [7].
A visiting pianist played sacred songs and the choruses were projected onto the screen for the audience to learn. The evening ended all too quickly.
Date1874-1920SourcePapers PastLocationDunsandel
DescriptionIt is not clear when members of the Presbyterian Church started using the hall for services, but Mackie (1979) [1] has reported that until 1876 Charles Frazer of the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Christchurch made monthly visits on horseback to hold services in the Upper Selwyn School. Sometime after this the hall was used, alternating with the Methodists, until the Presbyterian Church was opened on the second Sunday in March 1907.
No mention of this use was found in newspapers, which highlights the limitations of newspaper accounts except two letters to the Editor of the Press [2,3] in August 1889 which shows that at least the Methodists were using the hall regularly.
“Sir,—Recently a company visited Dunsandel, and gave a concert, and were allowed to use the organ (which is kept in the Town Hall) belonging to the Wesleyans. Now, I ask, is it in accordance with Christianity to see an instrument of God's Word used for any kind of amusement that should be given in the hall? Surely not. I sincerely hope the officials of the Church will see their way to prevent such an occurrence again.— Yours, &c, Observer.
And the reply
“Sir, —Upon taking up Monday morning's issue of the Press I noticed a letter signed by " Observer," in which that individual rashly blames the officials of the Wesleyan community for allowing the concert company to use their organ in the public hall last Monday evening. It appears to me that "Mr Observer" rushed headlong into public print without having the slightest knowledge of the circumstances connected with the case. It is quite true, however, that the concert company did use the instrument in question without the steward having the slightest idea of the organ being used for a concert. Nor was the steward aware that the instrument had been used until the following morning. Trusting that "Mr Observer" will in future make stronger investigations into such matters before accusing the Church Steward for transactions for which he was not guilty.—
Yours, &c, Fredk. Lill, Dunsandel.
Other than the regular church services, newspaper records of the Presbyterians using the hall for functions are also not numerous.
The 1891 annual general meeting of the Presbyterian congregation was held in the hall [4].
The new pastor of the Leeston, Brookside and Dunsandel Charge presided.
A vote of thanks was accorded to John McMillan for past services as treasurer and choirmaster.
A committee for 1892, Hugh Brown (treasurer), J. Lochhead, J. A. Cunningham, T. Lochhead, S. McKenzie, D. Craig, D. Mcllraith and Samuel Sherrard.
There was a good attendance at a much enjoyed magic lantern show [5] in the hall by Mr Robson, in August 1891.
In October 1892, the Rev W. Grant, of Leeston, spoke [6] in the hall, for upwards of two hours, to a good audience, on his adventures mountain climbing in New Zealand and Scotland.
The choir also sang selections from Sankey’s hymns during the evening, along with a quartet of Misses Lill and Kelly and Messrs F. Lill and W. Devereux and a solo by Miss A. M. Wright
A hundred magnificent lantern slides, which were voted to have been one of the best collections ever seen by the Dunsandel people, were shown to a packed hall at the anniversary tea and social meeting in March 1920 [7].
A visiting pianist played sacred songs and the choruses were projected onto the screen for the audience to learn. The evening ended all too quickly.
Date1874-1920SourcePapers PastLocationDunsandelCourtesy of Miss M. Wraight
Connections
CollectionThe Patrons of the First Dunsandel Hall/LibraryPlaceTe Atatiki a Te Wakaaro DunsandelOrganisationDunsandel Historic SocietyMore Information[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
PlaceTe Atatiki a Te Wakaaro DunsandelOrganisationDunsandel Historic SocietyMore Information[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]Attribution
Researched ByMike NoonanWritten ByMike Noonan
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Use of the First Dunsandel Hall/Library by the Presbyterians (1874-1920). Selwyn Stories, accessed 15/06/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5595