This history of BCC continues on from Birkenhead Gospel Hall: 1920s–1940s
The Gospel Hall can be seen in the centre of the bottom right quarter, on Hinemoa St. Rawene Rd runs horizontally in the centre right, with Highbury corner just out of frame.
Birkenhead, North Shore City. Whites Aviation Ltd: Photographs. Ref: WA-36917-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand./records/22819520
My perspective as a child – Maureen Mulholland
This was a time of steam trains, trams, ferries, and no Harbour Bridge. It was just 5 years since end of World War II, so it was still very much a post-war period.
As a family we attended Birkenhead Gospel Hall in Hinemoa St. At this time, the street was a through road to the ferry terminal. There were about 60 people attending this fairly typical Brethren assembly. On Sunday morning there was the Breaking of Bread service – this was a reverent service with no musical accompaniment and Light and Love hymn books were used.
The evening service at 7pm was a brighter service – a pump organ for music and the Redemption Hymn book was used. These songs were often more lively. There would be good Biblical teaching, often from a visiting speaker.
The church building was really quite small so the Victoria Hall in Mariposa Cres was used for Boys and Girls Rallies (this building still stands and is now used as a kindergarten). A lot of the adults helped with these events. After a while outreach activities started in the Beachhaven Hall – Sunday School, Rallies and Young People. My Dad (Ernest Roper) used his Ford V8 to pick up local children for these: there was usually about 10 children in the car (this was before the days of seatbelts!). These activities were later picked up by the Birkdale Radio Chapel in the 1960s.
For us as part of Birkenhead Gospel Hall, monthly missionary teas were a feature – a visiting missionary on furlough from overseas would come and talk about their work, often with slides. It is surprising how much geography you can learn as a child in church! These talks were always followed by a tea.
Sunday School picnics were another feature, held in Hinemoa Park down by the wharf. A great time of fun and food. Egg and spoon races, sack races, 3-legged races, age races, adult races and the minute-walk race, lolly scrambles... Ice cream was a special treat in those days and small tubs, cones or iceblocks would be brought to the park in a large canvas sack (this was pre chilly bin days!)
Sunday School anniversaries were a time for a new dress, recitations and a special party tea where you got your own bottle of fizzy drink!
Looking down Hinemoa Street from Highbury corner. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections N0113084
This history of BCC continues at Willow Avenue Chapel: 1960s
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