MEMORIAL TO ARCHBISHOP JULIUS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22504, 12 September 1938, Page 4

MEMORIAL TO ARCHBISHOP JULIUS

TO THB EDITOB OF rmi P*BBB.

Sir, —The parsing of Archbishop Julius has aroused in the minds of the people of Canterbury and the citizens of Christchurch a sense of deep gratitude to God not only for the notable achievements of his long life, but also for the enrichment of our religious and social life by the presence among us for 48 years of a personality so devoted and so largehearted. There will be a general desire that some adequate memorial should commemorate the Archbishop and bear witness to coming generations of the affection and esteem with which we regarded him.' After consultation with members of his family, I am satisfied that this memorial should be connected with the Cathedral, and, supported by them, I would strongly urge that it should take the form of the extension of the Chancel, so as to complete the building for its use as the Cathedral Church of the Diocese. Such an extension is urgently needed for the following reasons:— . 1. The choir of a cathedral should be large enough to allow of gatherings of clergy, in addition- to the choir, and to provide stalls for clerical and lay canons, archdeacons, etc. There should be no crimping of space. In order to secure such space the choir of our Cathedral has been extended into the central crossing. This was never intended by the architect, Sir Gilbert Scott, and it not only throws the building out of perspective and proportion, but seriously curtails our seating space. It is quite impossible to realise the grandeur of the building so long as this extension is allowed to remain where it is. ~

2. Perhaps Sir Gilbert Scott had an idea that a colonial cathedral need only be a glorified parish church, and had not realised that the vestry space provided was pitifully inadequate. On great occasions the north transept has to be curtained off to provide robing space for the clergy. The choir vestry is far too small, and the Bishop, the Dean, the canons, the verger, and the servers have all to make use of one vestry. It is almost impossible to do things decently and in order. 3. Sir Gilbert Scott’s plans did not provide for upper storeys to the vestries, and, no doubt, he counted on light reaching the chancel from side windows. In order to house the organ and to provide a minimum of accommodation, thfe light from these windows has had to be almost excluded The result is that the sanctuary is pitifully dark. A visitor entering the Cathedral can neither appreciate the building itself, nor feel any uplift of heart as he looks up to what should be -the focus of the cathedral and should surely suggest beauty, colour, and light. Our only resource is to use artificial light. For these reasons, and because the completing of the design of Sir Gilbert Scott was one of the most heroic victories of faith of Archbishop Julius’ episcopate, I would urge that in his memory we should attempt nothing loss than the fulfilment of a plan which we know would have given to him the keenest satisfaction. Nothing small or petty could be an adequate memorial of one so noble. Nothing -merely personal could be an adequate memorial of che so generous.

I had the opportunity of discussing this project with Sir Giles Scott in London in 1930, and have not only records of his opinions, but a rough sketch of what might be possible, as well as a promise of friendly advice if our architect desired it. Our Cathedral, standing as it does in the very centre of the city, has. I venture to think, ah appeal which is far wider than anything merely sectional. It should be worthy in every way of Christchurch and of Canterbury. The first generation of colonists, greatly daring and hoping beyond hope under Bishop Harper’s leadership, laid the foundations of the building and raised the nave, consecrated in 1881. The second generation, stirred by the challenge of Bishop Julius, as he then was. raised the transepts and choir, consecrated in 1904. Since then has increased and population has increased. The challenge comes to the third generation to show that faith has increased, too, and to complete what their fathers so nobly began.—Yours. PC • CAMPBELL CHRISTCHURCH. September 11, 1938.-