Golden day: Surrounded by parishioners, Fr Mervyn McGettigan (left), the former Bishop of the Dunedin diocese the Most Reverend Len Boyle, both of Mosgiel, and Fr Vaughan Leslie, of Ranfurly, celebrate Fr McGettigan’s ordination and the dedication of the church of St John the Baptist.
A jubilee Mass was held to celebrate the 50th jubilee of the church and of the ordination of Fr Mervyn McGettigan.
Clergy and parishioners from throughout Otago and Southland took part in the Mass and some members of Fr McGettigan's family travelled from Australia to attend the celebrations.
The church was blessed and officially opened on Sunday, July 27, 1958 and Fr McGettigan was ordained in the church two days later.
Fr McGettigan was raised in Central Otago and worked many years in the district, before ‘‘semi-retiring'' to Mosgiel.
Parishioners created a fabric art wall hanging to mark the 50th anniversary of the building and it was unveiled at the jubilee Mass.
