The second oldest church established in the City of Porirua celebrates 65 years of God’s faithfulness.
On Saturday afternoon over 180 people came through the doors of Porirua Gospel Chapel to celebrate 65 years of witness and God's faithfulness.
The work at Porirua Gospel Chapel began as an outreach programme of the Brethren Assemblies in the wider Wellington area (as far north as Levin and including Masterton). People saw the need for a church plant in the new state housing area that the government of the time announced would take place in Cannons Creek, Porirua.
The new church was opened in May 1961, at a meeting attended by representatives of the various participating Brethren assemblies. At the time it was only the second church opened in Porirua.
PGC in 1976
"Our 60th was during Covid—so no chance to celebrate. We wanted to invite everyone who had ever come through our doors since the buildings were erected in 1961. We wanted to show how faithful our God has been and demonstrate his promise of growth and outreach in the years to come.
"People from over 16 ethnicities came to celebrate: Māori, New Zealand Europeans, Cook Islanders, Samoans, Chinese, Hmong-Vietnamese, Hmong-Lao, Indians, Fijians, Tongans, Cambodians, Burmese, Turkish, Malaysian, English, Scottish... and lots of kids! How thankful we are for the diversity of our ethnicities!
"All ages of course were represented, from 1 year to 90 years, and at all stages in their walk with God. We are encouraged by the small miracles God sent that afternoon. We connected again with estranged folk; local ex-Youth Groupers and Rally members from 50+ years ago; some of the founders from the 60s; our current and past Partners in Mission; members flew in from Auckland and other towns north of Porirua. And street neighbours came in for their very first visit.
"What did they all come to see? Each other! But also the over 70 colourful, themed laminated posters of photos from our four eras:- 60s and 70s; 80s and 90s; 2000 to 2010; 2011 until now! All were browsing packets and packets of photos in the four rooms and ‘snapping’ on phones. Large screens also showed more up-to-date pictures including Family Camps and Christmas Plays.
"Meanwhile, stories were swapped; up to 60 years reduced to a ‘thumbnail sketch’, and those young adults matched up with how we knew them in childhood! A lavish Afternoon Tea offered the same ethnic diversity.
"Two interactive activities were provided. We will build a Cairn outside, of all the stones on which folk have written their names. Everyone was also encouraged to write a memory to be read out on later Sundays.
"The afternoon was very informal most of the time. We slotted 30 minutes of formality in between the two sessions of ‘meeting and greeting’. It was important to have prayers in three languages, a brief history of God’s faithfulness to us and a reminiscence from Peter McKenzie.
"The Bible shows us that celebrating past years is faith-affirming. Those with a heart for Porirua Chapel know God’s faithfulness to his people will continue as we look ahead to our growing community that is Cannons Creek."
Just think... before Porirua became a city, Porirua Gospel Chapel had been flourishing for 4 years... Gold Card for Porirua Chapel!
