St Paul’s Becks

History of St Paul’s Presbyterian/Union Church, Becks

It is impossible for me to condense and do justice to 90 years of this church’s history in a short time.  Ruth McNamara and I have spent the last few weeks reading minute books of the Lauder Parish Session 1884 – 1962, the Central Committee 1905 – 1936, Management Committee 1936 – 1979, Becks District Committee 1911 – 1917.  We have noted relevant facts, figures and reports of events which happened over the years.  Also we have the Rev. Don’s book ‘Memories of the Golden Road – A History of the Presbyterian Church of Central Otago, which gives a full account of the Lauder Parish till 1936.  When we were organising this service, we decided to hold it in May as it is 90 years since the opening.  We always knew the month but could not find out the actual day.  Last week, as I typed out this, I wanted to check on a date in Rev. Don’s book and it happened to fall open on a page which listed all the church properties within the Central Otago Presbytery.  At the top of this page, which by the way, I had never read before, was Becks Church opened May 26th 1912.  Yes, you are sitting in exactly the same position as many of your family did, exactly 90 years ago, to the very day.I would like to highlight some of the church’s history and the impressions I have formed about the parishioners of the Lauder Parish.At a meeting of the Lauder congregation held in the Becks schoolroom March 21st 1911, Moderator, Rev. J. McCosh-Smith, who had retired from the ministry at Naseby and lived at Blackstone Homestead, explained that it had been his desire for some time to see a church building erected at Becks.  Former resident Mr. Adam Rolland had already given a sum of £50 to him.  We here are indebted to this Adam Rolland as he in all gave £150 to the Parish to build the church and for ongoing Manse repairs and he didn’t even live here anymore!  It was moved ‘that steps be taken to build a church at Becks’ and ‘that the site be on the Manse allotment’.  A building committee of 4 was nominated, with power to add to their number!  It was decided that a thorough canvas for funds be made of the district by committee members, the subscription list being headed by 30 pounds collected in the room!At a meeting of the committee, a week later, it was decided to make application to Synod of Otago/Southland for a grant towards the erection of a new church at Becks.There followed a concerted effort to raise funds.  By September, i.e. 6 months, the building fund balance was £248 13 shillings, including a 2nd £50 from Mr. Adam Roland.  Mr. John McKnight offered to act as architect.  It was decided that the church be built of timber and the size and appearance similar to Poolburn church and Mr. McKnight was asked to draw up plans and specifications to be submitted for approval by Presbytery and Synod, so that tenders could be called.  Presbytery approval was given on September 13th 1911, so tenders were called in the ‘Otago Daily Times’, ‘The Mt Ida Chronicle’, and ‘The Dunstan Times’.  The Successful tenderers were Mills & Baker – £295.Tenders were also called for the cartage of materials and Mr. J Clouston successfully tendered to cart materials from Lauder Railway to site @ 10 shillings per ton, and gravel from the river @ 5 shillings per cubic yard.  Jim Clouston tells me that the very dray used is now at Dunstan Landscapes between Alex and Clyde. The new church was insured for £250 with the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand Scheme.  By March 1912, 1 year from instigation, the building fund total was £250 7 shillings. It was decided that ‘Church Praise’ be the hymnbook used (we still have copies of those books here) and that the ‘open plate’ method of taking up the collection was adopted.  Mr. D McKnight donated the collection plates.  The new church organ was purchased from America. The church opening, on May 26th, 1912 was a very grand affair according to the report in the ‘Outlook” but there is absolutely no mention in any minutes – very strange!  There is an enlarged copy of this report in our display.  Also a copy of the Annual report for the year ending June 30th 1913 – it makes interesting reading!  The final amount raised for the building fund, including Synod grant was £428 4s 1d.  The total cost of the church was £322 18s 10d.  Fencing, organ and sundries 55 pound. On June 19th 1913, the first fully ordained minister to the parish, Rev. A.V.G. Chandler, was inducted.  Its interesting to read that he resigned from the important charge of Roxburgh for health reasons.  The Lauder Parish must have been seen to be better for the ministers’ health.  I wonder how that could be when, at that time, the Parish extended from Hills Creek and St Bathan’s in the north, through Cambrian, Becks, Lauder, Matakanui, Spottis Creek, Ophir and Chatto Creek!  Nine preaching places in all and at least four services taken on any one Sunday!  Also his mode of transport must have been by horse as part of his employment package was the supply of 2 ton of chaff per year!!  Rev Chandler was minister for 10 years, followed by succession of ministers with periods of vacancy between.  The last resident minister, at the Omakau manse, was Rev.John Clarke, who left in 1978.  Following Rev Clarke, we had many visiting ministers including some from America, then, over 20 years ago, we became part of the Alexandra/Clyde Union parish and have been faithfully served from there to this day. Something that impresses me about the members of this parish is that they were totally dedicated to their church.  All through the early years members were asked to raise funds, whether it be for the new church building fund, the memorial plaque, a new car for the minister, or building the new manse at Omakau, when the Becks one was no longer liveable, all these extras, while still given regularly to “The Sustentation Fund”.  Now, I don’t claim to know much about the Presbyterian way of doing things, BUT this fund must have been very important as it rates a mention at every meeting in some form or other.  Whether it was that the collectors of this fund were given the hurry up to complete their area or the fact that it was short of funds, etc.  How do you think we would go today, having to door knock neighbours and friends in the area, asking for their pledged giving??  And do it every year!  If there are any unsung heroes in parishes, it must be these people!  As well as this, there was the regular collection taken at every church service, then if the balance sheet was a bit short, a Bazaar would be organised, followed by a social in the evening, for which an entry charge was made, so not only did you, help and probably contribute to the Bazaar, you were expected to pay to go to the following social!  It was particularly difficult to raise funds during the depression and at one stage the finances were nearly £180 in deficit and the minister’s stipend had not been paid for 8 months!  How did he cope?  I don’t know, except to say he much have been paid in kind, namely food, firewood, etc.  A sale of work held at Lauder during this time brought a profit of over £230!  Regardless of how dire the situation was, there was optimism and forward thinking.  There seemed to be a new project on the horizon for many years. The Annual Congregational meetings were interesting too.  Usually held at the old Becks Hall, I presume because it held more than the church!  Between reports, there was entertainment.  Perhaps we could liven up our AGM’s that way now! For the early members of the Parish, the church was the centre of their lives, with many social events held during the year, as well as groups such as, P.W.M.U and A.P.W., Young Peoples League, Bible Study groups, regular services and of course Sunday School.  Numbers fluctuated over the years, as did the congregations.  In early days Sunday school was held in the Manse next to this church.  During the 50’s, it was reported that children were disadvantaged because there was no Sunday school and plans were started to find somewhere to hold it.  Fund raising, again, started to build a room.  It was fortunate for the Becks people that the Cambrian School building became available and was moved to its present sight in 1958.  At this time, both building were roughcast, as you see them today.  You will notice the original church had a bell tower.  It must have caused a few problems as only a short time after the church was built, the bell had to be rehung and there are several references to bell repairs over the years.  We think that the tower and bell were removed when the roughcasting took place but can’t find record of it.  We’ll never forget the last time the church was painted – we listened. while we painted, to NZ winning the America’s Cup for the first time! St Paul’s houses memorials to those who gave their lives in the 2 world wars with these plaques recording their names.  As well as regular services, this church has been host for special events such as visits from General Assembly Moderators and St Bathan’s Lodge church parades.  The latter must have impressed our first minister, Rev. Chandler, who, after the first parade, joined the Lodge.  He was the first St Bathan’s Lodge member to attain a Grand Lodge position as Chaplain. For 3 years, in the late 40’s, the church was used as a school when the Becks school burnt down.  Imagine having to move all this furniture out each week, then putting it back for Sunday services.  Poor lighting, no running water and limited toilet facilities are remember by the teacher but I’m sure the pupils will have different memories!.  One thing though, during this time, our church was fully utilised, but what would OSH have said?  For a time to, the Anglicans held services here and we combined for Sunday school. Many of you here today will have personal memories of weddings, baptisms, there were 207, confirmations, funerals, a particularly moving service or even the socials that were held here.  Some families have four or even five generations associated with St Paul’s.  Most of the furniture and fittings you see around you were donated by families in memory of loved ones.  I have purposely not mentioned individuals, as it is so easy to forget someone.  Many of the people who served this church went about their work quietly and faithfully over the years, their names never recorded.  You may like to share special memories of your own next. I wish to pay tribute to all those with the foresight and devotion to establish and sustain this church here in Becks.  To the carers of the church, the cleaners, painters, lawnmowers, fix it people.  Those who shared their talents, flower arrangers and organists, those who imparted their knowledge, Sunday School teachers and leaders, those who gave hospitality to visitors and ministers, collectors of funds and those who gave, members of committees and elders, and of course, the many dedicated ministers who served this parish.  All these and probably many more, make up a Congregation and we honour and remember those who were and are the Becks members of the Lauder Parish. Linda Armstrong, May 2002