Nigel Methodist Church celebrates 120 years

The Nigel Methodist Church celebrated 120 years since the first foundation stones were laid on March 14 1903.

The celebrations took place on March 12.

Pastor Albert Stewart led the gathering, and bagpipe player Eric Cleaver welcomed everyone with some music.

Cleaver led the various Mason Lodges into the church, and participants did their bit to commemorate the day during the celebratory service.

The Free Masons had a huge hand in building the Nigel Methodist Church.

There were readings by Naomi Moss and Toekie Tieghi lit the remembrance candle.

There was also a reading by the right worshipful master of Lodge Nigel No 847 SC, Brother Les Hope, and an address of the most worshipful, the grand master mason of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, Brother William Ramsey McGhee.

The Grand Lodge of Scotland is touring South Africa and visiting various places as part of the Free Mason’s history.

“We all have a past, and many of us want to forget what we went through,” said Stewart.

“We need to change and look to the future to succeed, not look at the past and regret. Start taking control of what you can and be a light for others to follow and see a difference. Judgement is not for us to dish out but to live your lives to the best of your ability.”

The oldest member of the church, Stan Maddon (95), and a previous church leader, Rev Dr Steven Barry, were in attendance.

A history of the Nigel Methodist Church will soon be published.