Trinity Methodist Church (pictured) is all set to celebrate the 50th birthday of its Victoria Ave building.
The church and associated office opened on February 13, 1965, replacing the previous structure that had stood on Victoria Ave since 1872. Deemed too rotten to save, the 93-year-old church was pulled down and
the new building erected further back, closer to Wicksteed St. Joyce Humphrey, parish steward for nigh on 30 years, was part of the original congregation at the building's opening and sang in the choir that was put together for the occasion. She came from Aramoho to join Trinity after her local church was closed.
Joyce has also taken the role of parish historian, researching the church's history and producing informative pictorial booklets at each anniversary.
"We've had so many celebrations for Wanganui Methodism, which goes back to 1838," she says.
A film was made during the building of the present church in 1965 - a priceless documentary of the time with scenes that would horrify OSH officers, says Joyce.
Birthday celebrations will start on the weekend of February 14 and 15.
"We're going to have our Covenant Service, which is the beginning of our church year, and we'll have the birthday cake then," says Joyce. The film will screen throughout the weekend in the choir lounge cinema. "It's really worth it and the general public should come and see it. Nobody would ever work like that now," she says, referring to the building methods.
"We're following that with a grand finger-food lunch or afternoon tea - depending on how many people want to stop and chat."
The celebrations are going to continue throughout the year with a dinner finale planned for November. "Congregations get older," says 90-year-old Joyce, "So we thought, keep celebrating."
Three members of the congregation are more than 100 years old and will take pride of place at the events.
