wfn.org | Taiwan Church Renamed on its Hundredth Anniversary

[Taiwan Church News <pctpress@ms1.hinet.net>]

Taiwan Church News 2674, June 1, 2003
Reported by Meng-jer. Translated and rewritten by David Alexander

   On May 25th, East Gate Presbyterian Church in Tainan City
celebrated its 100th anniversary.  The church formally changed
its name to commemorate Thomas Barclay, a Scotsman who was
instrumental in setting up several institutions of Taiwan's
Presbyterian Church in the 19th and 20th centuries. Taiwan's
president Chen Shui-bian and Tainan City Mayor Hsu Tain-tsair
both attended the ceremony.  Known now as "Tainan East Gate
Barclay Memorial Church", the congregation enters its second
century.
   The main speaker was Dr. Huang Po-ho, president of nearby
Tainan Theological College, which Thomas Barclay founded. He said
that the congregation can return thanks to God for Dr. Barclay's
leadership through loving action and, by learning from the
sacrificial example of Dr. Barclay and his wife, partake of a
missionary spirit.
   President Chen was escorted into the meeting by church
leaders.  In his remarks he told how he had delivered a lecture
on renewing the spirits of Taiwan's people at East Gate church
four years ago. Not long thereafter, Taiwan suffered a severe
earthquake.  The society was greatly effected.	During the
current challenge from SARS, he said, he hopes that the Christian
sisters and brothers gathered as the church can contribute their
strength, praying for renewal of Taiwan's physical strength and
spiritual peace.
   During the month of June several other activities will be held
by a combination of civic and church groups to commemorate the
anniversary.  A park will be renamed, a monument set up and an
exhibition will be held.

For more information: Tainan East Gate Barclay Memorial
Presbyterian Church
		      east.gate@msa.hinet.net

Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Taiwan's local
languages.
Visit our web site: www.pctpress.com.tw