Time line of events in the His-story
of St John’s Presbyterian Church, Hastings
1904 Sunday School started at Mahora branch of St. Andrews
1928 Section at Cnr Frederick St and Tomoana Rd purchased.
Building delayed because of earthquake
1932 Hall opened
1933 St Andrews evening service relayed to Mahora
1937 Home mission charge centred at St John’s Hall
1938 Rev F W Marshall appointed
First Mission appointed
J Banks – Session Clerk to 1942
1939 Manse section purchased in Frederick Street.
Communicants roll increased from 172 to 195.
Managers adopt envelope system
1940 Rev Shaw, minister St Andrews congratulated St Johns on progress
1941 No grant from missions committee. St Andrews assists with 30 pounds
1942 Burr request used to repay amount owing on section and start building fund
M Parkhill – Session Clerk to 1956
1943 St John’s takes charge of outstation in Haumoana.
1944 Rev Marshall farewelled, Rev Cameron welcomed.
Evening service started at Whakatu. Car bought.
1945 Extensions to church approved
1946 Four week teaching mission held.
Rev and Mrs Cameron transferred to Matawhero
1947 Rev Humble appointed.
Manse in Nelson Street purchased.
1948 St Andrews and St John’s amalgamate.
Rev D Chalmers inducted (associate minister at St Andrews)
1949 Funds raised for church extension
1950 Influence of New Life Movement, growth in parish
1951 St John’s separate parish from July 1st
1952 Services at Mayfair. Sunday School opened at Frimley.
Parish boundaries set to Mahora and Frimley.
1953 Weekly services at Mayfair at Windsor Lodge
1954 Mayfair development committee formed
1955 St John’s Hall moved to Frederick Street West
1956 Mayfair manse built, tenders called for Mayfair hall.
T E McCracken – Session Clerk to 1965
1957 Mayfair becomes a separate parish.
Rev Nolan Martin appointed
1958 Sunday School roll at St Johns 180.
New Sunday School rooms named after their benefactors Marvel, Kennedy and Burr.
106 pledges to envelopes.
1959 21 Birthday Social.
Tape of Billy Graham Christchurch crusade played.
1960 Rev Chalmers moved to New Lynn, Auckland.
Frimley Hall opened and Frimley/ Twyford transferred from St Andrews to St Johns
1961 Rev W Lindsay inducted.
Frederick Street Manse opened and dedicated
1962 Early morning communion service commenced. 32 attended. Minister and six members attend Stewardship School in Rotorua
1963 New Men’s club formed. All homes visited in June.
Further Frederick St (608) section purchased and cottage moved to this site
1964 New Church opened and dedicated, 20th June.
Mission by Rev K Hadfield
1965 J G C McKenzie – Session Clerk to 1971
1966 First Maori service in July, and an elder, Mrs Henare to work with Maori people in the district. Youth rooms erected at Frimley. Centennial of H.B. Presbytery.
1967 Extensions to Hall at Mahora
1968 Evening Fellowship provides new stage and curtains for hall. Addition to Frimley youth rooms.
1970 Frimley sections sold and loans repaid
1971 W F Fleming – Session Clerk to 1981
1973 Tuesday night Prayer and Praise begins.
Immersion baptism begins at St Johns
Rev Joan Pascoe inducted as part time associate.
Rev Bill Lindsay begins Industrial Chaplaincy work.
1975 Healing services begin
1976 Life in the Spirit Seminars start.
1977 Rev Joan Pascoe becomes Honorary Assistant Minister
1978 Rev Joan Pascoe to St Aidans, Mayfair
1979 Michael Simkin appointed as Pastoral Worker.
Lounge area installed in church.
1980 Alan Frost appointed pastoral worker six months.
Baptistry installed in St Johns.
Alan Smith accepted for training for ministry.
New series of Life in Spirit seminars.
Parish camp held. House groups held.
1981 Prayer weekends held.
Session supported plan for church union.
F A Marshall – Session Clerk to 1985
1982 Mahora Kitchen renovated, car park sealed.
1983 Spiritual Gifts seminars.
Rev Lindsay moved to own home and manse let.
1984 Steven Lindsay applied for ministry.
Rev Bill Lindsay moves to Chaplain of Lindisfarne.
Rev W Marshall appointed Interim-moderator.
1985 Michael Simkin resigns as pastoral assistant.
A group of members resign to form a new church.
Gaela Frost appointed parish secretary.
Rev Warwick Hambleton appointed
R Ball – Session Clerk to 1990
1987 New office completed. Counselling and Life in the Spirit Seminars
1989 50th Jubilee of parish
1990 B Price – Session Clerk to 1992
1991 J Pascoe – Minister
1992 L Carnew – Minister
2000 Half of pews sold off and replaced with flexible seating
2002 H Hill – Session Clerk to 2009
2004 N Buchanan (stated supply)
2006 G Lawrence – Minister
mainly music birthed
2008 Hall kitchen refurbished
Sale of Frimley church building/ Merging of f St John’s and Frimley
TV Screens installed in the church
2009 R McLean (Stated Supply)
R Hamilton – Session Clerk to 2011
Manse refurbished
2010 P Loveday - Minister
Women’s Breakfast (90-100 women come to hear speaker, Nicky Bryant)
Season of prayer July – Sept
Fire destroys St Johns Hall and rear buildings August 1st
Data projector installed in church
2011 H Hill – Session Clerk to…
Paraplegic toilet installed in church
Comcare birthed - April
Prayer over foundations of new Hall July/Aug
2012 Opening of Jireh Hall - Feb 24th
Connect birthed
CD Emergency Centre established for Civil defence
Repaint of interior of church including steeple area.
Blinds installed in steeple - May
Children’s worker Nathan Monk started August 1st
2012 Alleluia Party –alternative fun-night to Halloween - Oct 31st
Church services moved into Jireh Hall during strengthening of church building - Nov
2013 Kids friendly church - March
Strengthening of church building - April
New heating in church – May
2014 April 50th Celebration of St John’s Church being built.
75th Celebration of St John’s as a Parish