NEW KELBURN CHURCH

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 75, 22 December 1919, Page 2

NEW KELBURN CHURCH

LAYING OF TnE FOUNDATION STONE. On Saturday afternoon tho Bishop of Wellington, Dr. Sprott, laid tho foundation stone of the now IColburn Church, St. Slichael's and All Angels. Tins weathor was very good, except for ilia gusty wind, and a very largo number of resident.; attended. The new church, when completed, will provide seating accommodation for nearly 350 people. Sir. E. If. Wilson, L.D.1.8.A., of Invercai'gill, is tlie architect, and Sl'cssrs Crichton and Sl'Kay, of Wellington, arc act'ng for him. Sir, E. S. Knight is the contractor. The chancel, and portion of' the nave, will hr> built first, and will cost about .C4OOA It is ■estimated that this part of tho building will be finished in about nino months. As further funds are availablo it is hoped to proceed with the eomplot'on uf the nnvo and the tower, tha (siimafed cost cf the wholo church 'being between and .CBOOO. The movement to erect fho church was started as early as 1910, but tho real effort did not start till 1D)0. Tho funds in hand at the present time total nearly JCdOOO, of which .-£2OO was collected by the children of tho parish. This sum will be devofcd to the font, and will thus provide a permanent record of (ho ardour of the children. The siie of the church is at the corner of Upland Itoad and Upland Crescent,■ and sufficient ground being it is proposed to lav down lawns and plant tho grounds with ornamental elunbs. Proceedings on Saturday commenced with tho sins'ng of "All People that on' Earth do Dwell," followed by psalm SI and tlie lesson, which was J'rom tfc,"lia-' riah, chapter i, verses C to 11. Bishop Sprott briefly addressed those present. Ho congratulated the vicar, the vestry-, men, and the parishioners of Ivelburn on their effort to" build a suitable church, 110 referred to tho days viien IveJburn who largely dependent on the mother parish for its religious services He mentioned tho fino work performed by tho children in collecting .£'2oo towards die building fund, and ho was glad that this money was not to bo merged into the general building fund, but was to bo used to provide a permanent record of their devotion and ardour, The bishop 'went on to say that there were many who believed that the church was about to enter on a very difficult period, a time .which would try all our patience and resource. He mentioned the return ot the exiles to-Babylon, and how they were persuaded by the prophets Zechariah' and IlnfjKri to rebuild their temple. A substantial amount, about ,£BO. was collected, and the ceremony brought to a closo with the singing of "Thy Hand, 0 God, has Guided."