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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Ecclesiastical

Ecclesiastical.

St. Mark's Church, Carterton, which was conse-erated in 1875, was enlarged in 1882. The church has accommodation for 350 worshippers, all sittings being free and unappropriated. It is a handsome wooden building, and has a large schoolroom adjoining. The land, which is two acres in extent, is planted with trees and shrubs, the vicarage being situated alongside the church. A two-manual American organ is presided over by Mr. Rathbone, who also
Interior of St. Mark's Church.

Interior of St. Mark's Church.

acts as superintendent of the Sunday school. There is also a surpliced choir, which is led by the vicar. A stained glass window has been placed in the church to the memory of the late Miss Carter, and a memorial brass to the late Mrs. Carter. The church officers are Messrs. J. Brown and A. H. Hickson (churchwardens), and Ayles, Leach, Wakelin, White, McKenzie and Allen (vestrymen). Services are held at Clareville and Waihakeke, where there are Sunday schools under the supervision of Mr. R. Fairbrother and Miss Braithwaite respectively.

Rev. William Ballachey, Vicar of St. Mark's Church, Carterton, was born in Canada in 1846, but was brought up and educated in England. After a successful scholastic career he was in 1865 selected by Dr. Codrington, Bishop Paterson's commissary, to go to New Zealand. Mr. Ballachey was ordained by the Bishop of Wellington in 1872, being appointed to Karori, where he remained till 1882. After eighteen months at Bulls and six months at Papanui he served three years as chaplain to the Burnham Industrial School, and was appointed to Carterton in 1887. The reverend gentleman is married and has two sons and one daughter.

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St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church is situated in High Street, Carterton, the Rev. Charles Murray, M.A., being in charge. The church was erected in 1889 on an acre section, and four years afterwards a ten-roomed manse was built at a cost [unclear: of] £425. The church is a wooden building, seating about 200 people. It possesses a good choir and an American organ. There is a Sabbath school with fifty children on the roll, superintended by Mr. Henry McFarlane. The other churches in the charge are at Greytown and Gladstone. At each of these places, and at Clareville, there are Sunday schools; that at Greytown having forty scholars, superintended by Mr. Hillier; Clareville, fifty scholars, under Mr. Fisher; Gladstone, twenty-eight scholars, under Miss Duncan.

Rev. Charles Murray, M.A., Minister in charge of the South Wairarapa, residing at Carterton, was born near Peterhead, Scotland, in 1858. Educated at a public school in his native parish, at the Grammar School, Old Aberdeen, and at the Aberdeen University, Mr. Murray matriculated in 1876 and graduated in 1882. For four years [unclear: he] attended the Free Church College in Aberdeen, and studied medicine in Marischal College for three years. At this time he had charge of the Students' Mission for three years. In 1881 he was licensed by the Free Presbytery of Deer, and offering himself for mission work, he was appointed by the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand to go out to the New Hebrides. He came to Port Chalmers in 1885, and was ordained in Christchurch by the General Assembly. After visiting the principal towns of New Zealand, he went by Sydney to the New Hebrides and settled on Ambrim for two-and-a-half years. Mrs. Murray, who was a daughter of the late Captain Cheyne, died and was buried on Futuna. After the death of his wife he decided to relinquish missionary work owing to ill-health. Leaving Ambrim in a chartered vessel, he was shipwrecked on Malo, being rescued after five weeks by the missionary schooner “Dayspring.” Coming to New Zealand, he visited most of the Presbyterian churches, and in 1889 was inducted to his present charge. Mr. Murray's health has now been completely re-established, and he is most energetic in every form of Christian and philanthropic work. While a student he gained bursaries at different times. He is a member of the examining Board of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, and one of the founders and a present member of the Polynesian Society. Mr. Murray is also president of the Wellington Provincial Christian Endeavour Union, for 1895–6, and a prominent worker in the Prohibition cause.

Rev. Chas Murray.

Rev. Chas Murray.

St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Carterton, is under the charge of Rev. John McKenna, rector of St. Patrick's, Masterton, who pays regular visits.

Wesley Church, Carterton, a handsome wooden building, having seating accommodation for 250 people, was opened in 1882. The first church, now used as a schoolroom, was erected about 1870, services being previously held in the old day-school. A good choir, led by an American organ and an orchestra of seven, instrumentalists is particularly attractive at the evening services. The minister in charge, the Rev. Mr. Garlick, resides at Greytown. In connection with the Church the Sunday school has 114 children on its roll, Mr. H. Callister being superintendent. The Church officers are: Messrs. Burrows and J. Stevens (church stewards), H. Callister, S. Gaulton, H. Gaulton, H. Robinson, W. Catt, G. Kiddie, S. Hart, J. Bassett (trustees), and A. Andrews (secretary). In connection with the Church, services are page 911 held at Dalefield, where there is a church capable of seating about 100 people; at Belvedere, where there is a similar building; and at Waihakeke and Taratahi, in the public school building.