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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

St. David's Church

St. David's Church, Auckland. This church originated in a church extension movement from St. Andrew's. To meet the needs of the spreading population, a schoolroom was erected, in 1861, at the upper end of Symonds Street. Here the Rev. Dr. Wallis, formerly a missionary at Demerara, began to preach in October, 1865, and gathered a good congregation. In September, 1868, however, Dr. Wallis, having withdrawn from the jurisdiction of the Presbytery, established an independent congregation which met in a new building called. “Newton Kirk.” The schoolroom in Upper Symonds Street was consequently closed until the 10th of March, 1878, when, after renovation, it was re-opened. A few weeks later, on the 3rd of April, the mission was formed by the Presbytery into a regular charge, under the designation of St. David's. The Rev. A. M. McCallum, of the Free Church of Scotland, undertook the services, and received a call, which, however, he declined. On the 5th of February, 1879, Mr. T. W. Dunn, a student from the Church of Scotland, was appointed to supply the pulpit for a time. Increasing congregations assembling, a new church, on the most commanding site occupied by any of the city churches, was opened on the 14th of November, 1880. The first minister was the Rev. Thomas Mackenzie Fraser, M.A., formerly of the High Church, Geelong, and one of the Theological Tutors of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, who was inducted on the 18th of August, 1881. Mr. Fraser was a brother-in-law page 224
St. David's Presbyterian Church.

St. David's Presbyterian Church.

of Hugh Miller, the eminent geologist and writer. After a most successful ministry, Mr. Fraser died, on the 10th of August, 1885. A vacancy of over two years followed, when the Rev. Robert Scott West, from the Free Church of Scotland, was called, and his ordination and induction took place on the 18th of October, 1887. Mr. West's pastorate was a period of great prosperity, and the church was enlarged to accommodate the increased membership and attendance. A hopeful church extension charge was also established at Emendate, Mr. West was translated to Burwood, near Sydney. New South Wales, in August, 1899. On the 21st of February, 1900, the Rev. William Gray Dixon, M.A., translated from St. John's Church, Warrnambool, Victoria, was inducted into the charge of St. David's, which now has about 300 communicants, and an annual revenue of from £800 to £900.