NEW CATHOLIC CHURCH.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18238, 24 November 1924, Page 4

NEW CATHOLIC CHURCH.

—— function at little river

"A.M.D.G. Church of St. Jolm tho Evangelist. This stone was blessed and laid by tho Right Reverend Matthew J. Brodie, Bishop of Christ-church, November 23rd-24th." This is the inscription on tho foundation stone of the new Catholic Church at Little River, laid by Bishop Brodie, in the presence of about SCO people yesterday afternoon.

The weather was eminently suitable for the function, hot. sunshine and a background of thickly-clad trees and green hillside throwing t-ho scene ot llk- ceremony into strong relief. On the dais with his" Lordship Bishop Brodie, were Fathers Joyeo, Quinn, Galhi"licr, and Mrs Julia Rennet], who presented his l.ordship with a silver trowel suitably inscribed. Father Gallagher said that the undertaking was just as big to tho people of the Little River district, as the Cathedral was to tho peoplo of Christchurch. It was well over 30 years since the Little River peoplo had conceived the ambition of a new church. Circumstances wero now favourable and they saw tho commencement before them. He thanked his brother priests apd tho non-Catholics for their sympathetic help. They lived, ho said, in. harmony, and tho spirit of religious bigotry was unknown in the district.

Bishop Brodio congratulated the people on the enthusiasm they had shown in their undertaking. It was a. Hugo task for such a small community. The Catholic Cathedral in Christchurch had cost £72,000, and it stood as a monument to the devotion and generosity of hi.; people. The Little River commuiir ity was a small one, but it had risen to tho occasion nobly, having now £22o<) in hand. Thev wero doing work very closely connected with the holy faith. "The tendency of the world nowadays." said his Lordship, "is to put God's teaching on the shelf. Ewn tho sanctity of family lifo is destroyed. The marriage bonda are torn asunder." The teachings of tlie Church, he continued, wero against all this and one of thenobjects was to promote goodwill and peaco among tho peoplo. Every denomination _ was united in the Little River district, thus making a happy community. appealed for funds in order that the building might be opened free of debt.

The church, 2o x 45 feet in size, is of Halswdll 6tone with Oamaru stone facings, and is of Gothic design. Mr H. St. A. Murray is the architect and Messrs Rennell Brothers are • tho builders and contractors. .There is an entrance por c h, nave, and a sacristy on either eide of the chancel. The approximate cost is £4OOO, and the church tiill seat about 300 peoploj in gallery tad ground floor. Standing as it does in a walley, the church, with its excellent design and workmanship will ihafee an arresting sight. Prior to the laying of "the foundation