NEW CHURCH

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 32, 1 November 1919, Page 9

NEW CHURCH

ST. MARY'S OF THE ANGELS. Not since the laying of the foundationstone of the Basilica in Hill Street has there been a ceremony as interesting or important to the local Roman Catholic community as that wjiich will place to-morrow afternoon in Boulcolt Sti'ect, when the foundation-stone of the new St. Jlarv's of the Angels Church will be laid* by His Graco Coadju tor-Archbishop (.('Shea, in tho absence of Archbishop Redwood, at present in Australia. As far as the church is concerned the site is historic, for it witnessed the earliest establishment of Roman Catholic activity in the central part of the Empire City. Like tho old Basilica the old St. Mary s of the Angels Church was destroyed by lire iu daylight, but in both instances fino edifices succeed them. Although litt'lo over a year has passed since tlie' church was destroyed by firo (the date, to be exact, was M av_ IS, 15)18) the parish priest, Father Stanislaus Mahony, S.M., has lost no time in arranging Tor a worthy successor, and ail who have :een the plans of .Messrs. Clere and Williams agree that they have succeeded in designing a r-oblo pilo of great architectural _ilisr.ni!tjon, which will lie a credit to tho city. The builder (Mr. Renner) lias had his difficulties, initially with a soft foundation where of all places (under front towers) solidity was needed, and then delay in getting material on account of the railway "cut." Both of these ditiiculties have been overcome and the foundations and wall work, in concrete, havo been practically completed up to the lovel of tho Uoor of the church. That lhe laying of the foundation stone of such a. church will attract a very largo attendance of the public goes without saying. The ceremony will commence at 3 p.m., wdion His Grace will proceed from tho presbytery to where now stands a large wooden cross, marking tho exact location of tho altar iu tho new church. After the ground whereon the altar will stand has been duly consecrated, the Archbishop, followed in procession by the whole of tho Roman Catholic clergy of Wellington, will proceed to tho other (or front) part of the building, where the foundation stcno (beneath tho southern tower) will bo bles.-ed and duly laid.

Ths Aronbishop will place in the cavity of tho stono a parch men t doeumont on which will bo inscribed the usual data referring to the building; its dale of erection, by whom the stono was laid, and how dedicated. . The document will U) accompanied by a few coins of the realm and newspapers of tho time, tho whole milking a. brief but concise history of Uio new church.