CHURCH OF ST. MARY, MERIVALE.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18402, 8 June 1925, Page 4

CHURCH OF ST. MARY, MERIVALE.

A revised plan for the new Church of St. Mary, Merivale, has boon submitted by Mr E. E. Wilson, of Invorcargill, in place of the more expensive designs first adopted;

This plan provides for a .church t6 cost which is to occupy the NiW. cdrner when, orccted. Tho seating accommodation is 'i or at' least 400 people, the building being about. 100 ft by 33ft across the ' "nave, 43ft across the transepts. Tho material will bo bluestone, rolievod by Oamaru stone facings, style of architecture Gothic in modern treatment. The tower corner will be the main entrance, the church being built along tho Church lane' between the Sunday school' and the old- church;, other entrances will bo provided. The interior is to bo panelled in rimu up to the windows, above that lined with Oamaru stone. It is intended to utilise the famous seat-ends in the old church, carved by Archdeacon Gosset, in the structure of a liandspma chancel screen. Tho decision to preserve this notable feature of. old St. Mary's will give much pleasure to tho senior parishionqrs, who venerate the memory of. tho late Archdeacon, so long their vicar. Part of the new furnishings will be a very/valuable organ, the cost of" which has been provided anonymously. The contract price in London'is £3200, and a condition is that'it must be approved by the organist of Westminster Abbey (Mr S. H. Nicholson) before being shipped. * It is believed that the organ (which is 'to bo 3-manual, with choir, great and swell) will prove to be tho finest parish organ in the city. It is intended to call for tenders for tho church as soon as specifications are ready, and the Vestry hope to put the work in hand immediately.