Interview with Edith Shakespeare

Edith Shakespeare was born in Napier in 1917. Gives reasons for changing churches from Brethren to the Upper Hutt Uniting Parish, St. David's, St. Andrew's, the Baptist Church, Church of Christ and subsequently Iona. Relates that she sang in the St. David's choir, travelling there by bicycle or bus. Talks of St. Andrew's becoming part of the uniting parish and mentions the loss of the church building. Relates her enjoyment of services at the Wallaceville Church. Explains her faith and prayer mentioning Rev. Archie Kirkwood. Mentions that her family have moved away from Upper Hutt. Describes the Hawke's Bay earthquake, her father's injury, being evacuated to Palmerston North. Describes the church she attended in Ahuriri. Talks of attitudes by various denominations to each other, mentions a variety of buildings used for worship. Recalls Mr. Purvis building a Sunday School in Trentham, later used for church services. Recalls big families of six or eight children. Talks of her faith at the time of her husband's death and during the illnesses of two children. Describes the treatment for her mother's cancer, being cared for by her older sister after her mother's death. Describes available medicines, dental treatment. Recalls knowing people with TB, polio and diphtheria, breast cancer. Explains that she was President of the Ladies' Fellowship, a Church elder and that she goes sit dancing. Relates her preference for old hymns and outlines the format of services. Talks of changes in numbers of young people attending church impacting on Bible classes and Sunday School. Describes changes in social life, church attitudes to dancing. Talks of women ministers, mentioning Ann Thomas and Doug Lendrum who took over from her.

Interviewer(s) - Elaine Bolitho

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-009298

Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 transcript(s) - printed. 1 Electronic document(s) - transcript. 1 interview(s). 1 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-3006, OHDL-000961.

Portrait photograph taken at the time of the interview

Search dates: 1931 - 2001

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.

Alternative form available: Listening copy OHLC-004791

Both printed and digital versions of the transcript are available