NEW COLLEGE CHAPEL

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 224, 19 June 1944, Page 4

NEW COLLEGE CHAPEL

St. Patrick’s, Wellington

The Catholic Metropolitan of .New Zealand, Archbishop O’Shea, himself an original pupil of St. 'Patrick’s College, Wellington, was celebrant of Solemn Benediction yesterday in the new college chapel. This is in the main wing of the college, on the city side. In the time of Archbishop O’Shea’s schooldays, and that of many hundreds of other old boys, the space the new chapel now occupies was the junior dormitory. The original chapel, which it replaces, held 120; the new chapel will accommodate 300. The college roll this year is 252, a record since it became a day school, and only two short of the record of 1930, when it was both a day boys’ and boarding establishment. It has been possible to retain some, fittings front the old chapel; four fine stained windows are among these. Three nre now at the rear of the new chapel and one at the back of the sanctuary. Tlie new chapel is largely due to the efforts of tlie parents’ association, assisted by old boys and friends of the college. Yesterday morning the rector, Bev. Father B. Blake, S.M., performed tlie Solemn Blessing, which was followed by Solemn High Mass. Father Blake way celebrant, the deacon was Father N. Doohan, S.M., a former head prefect of the college, and the sub-deacon Father C. Callaghan, another old boy. Sacred music for Mass and Benediction was by the college boys’ choir, under Father N. Burning, S.M..