What a way to start off to read the newspaper in the early morning! I was saddened to read the death notice in the newspaper, for we lost a Christian chap on the 30th of July, and he was a close tie with his Christian faith and the parish of Hamilton East St John’s Methodist. He knew our family and grandparents for many years in Hamilton East and was involved with the Methodist Conference New Zealand. He was a trustee of the funding organisation, and he was generous gave us the funding to Hamilton Deaf Christian Fellowship and the community over the years.
His name was Des (Desmond) Jack, and born and raised in Hamilton East. His father, brother and grandfather came from construction/builders and, of course, house removal back in 1896 in Hamilton East, New Zealand. From the start around 1904, Des’s grandfather George Jack was involved with the planning to build a church by selling a part of the land, which was 1/4 acres of the section plus a 90ft. frontage of Wellington Street, Hamilton East. The committee, including the chairperson – Rev. Blamires, agreed over the planning and went ahead until the final payment was on the 5th of April 1910. The committee decided to set up the first “Trust” as St John’s Methodist Parish/Church on the 9th of May in 1910. George Jack played a significant role in St John’s Methodist Parish, the committee and, of course, his business as House Transit Removal for many years. George had a son called Vic and two grandsons – Des and Neville, who also involved with St John’s church over many years. Then we have a William (Bill) Young – a builder who came along and joined St John’s Church and the team in established growth of the church building.
Our late father – Raymond, was a builder under William (Bill) Young of Hamilton East and him, along with his two brothers, except one brother, went to church. Our late grandmother – Hilda (Biddy), was the parishioner and involved with the Women Leagues until her death. I remember going to St John’s church and joining the Women Leagues group every school holiday and often during the Sundays when our mother (a young widow) needs a break from four children. The meeting of the other parishioners is how I came to know Des and his wife Dale and Neville Jack when my sister and I were very young, and my parents got married at St John’s Parish. Des was an excellent mentor to my sister during her teenage, for our father died in 1970. Later, Des received the Queens Service Medal for the community works and Paul Harris fellow.
Today St John’s Church is no longer there and replaced with a brand new building that met the Earthquake Standard Act Codes in 2016. Neville Jack was on the committee for this planning building a church.
Farewell, Des; thank you for your kind gifts, wisdom and for being there to support the community and us.
Here is a quote for you as you gave up the battle of your health into the grand old age to be with your wife – Dale, parents and grandparents in heaven.
“I have come home at last! This is my real country! I belong here. This is the land I have been looking for all my life, though I never knew it till now…Come further up, come further in!”
― C.S. Lewis, The Last Battle
“We never know how God will answer our prayers, but we can expect that He will get us involved in His plan for the answer. If we are true intercessors, we must be ready to take part in God’s work on behalf of the people for whom we pray.”
― Corrie ten Boom
Life in Eureka 