Last month belonged to one of the first little churches to be established by the pioneers of South Wairarapa – in 1875 – Burnside Church in Pirinoa: 150 years old!
The anniversary was celebrated on 11 May, a clear, fine autumnal day, with a service led by Rev Peter MacKenzie, Executive Secretary of Presbytery Central. The address was given by special guest Rev Leanne Munro, Moderator of Presbytery Central.
The official party were piped in and out of the church in grand style. Burnside Church falls under the responsibility of First Church, Martinborough’s Parish and is maintained by a specially dedicated committee.
Tony Didsbury, chair of the Burnside Church Committee, welcomed all to the anniversary. The celebrations were enjoyed by local families and friends, ending with a sumptuous afternoon tea prepared in nearby Pirinoa Hall. A special cake was cut by two of the oldest Burnside locals, Anne Aburn and Donald McIlraith.
Pam Colenso presented the community with a commemorative plaque on behalf of First Church members. Congratulations Burnside Church community on your 150 years!!!
Standing like a small sentinel as you head south towards Lake Ferry is Burnside church. These days the services conducted there are certainly less regular and regimented than they were in 1875 when the Free Church of Scotland was firmly at the helm.
Attending church on the sabbath was mandatory and not expected to be marked by much frivolity. According to resident historian Mate Higginson, the tone of events was pretty stern. For instance, there were no Christmas celebrations – these occurred at New Year. Services ran inexorably from 10:00 till noon. No talking, presumed to be idle chatter, was permitted either in church or within church grounds.
Rituals meant each service started with a prayer which ran for 26 to 30 minutes, long enough to allow some serious snoozing for those with wandering minds. This was followed by a one-HOUR sermon. The topic was never light and was directed at serious self-improvement. All psalms were chanted: i.e. no relief from organ or piano which were presumed to be instruments of the devil.
This was an era when men (and metaphorically women) were men For instance, Mr Sinclair who gifted the land on which Burnside sits, in May 1875, had to take to the oars of a rowboat himself to get across Palliser Bay to reach his new colonial home. Is such pioneering spirit still alive?
It should be no news to discover that First Church is any more immune to the vicissitudes of human nature than other church congregations. And surprise, surprise the first signs of waywardness can start pretty young. Not that there is any perceptible increase in the proportion of youngsters who occupy the pews of a Sunday. But miracles can happen and just like politicians’ plans, can have unintended consequences.
