OPENING AND CONSECRATION OF ST. MICHAEL’S AND ALL ANGELS, CLYDE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 808, 12 October 1877, Page 2

OPENING AND CONSECRATION OF ST. MICHAEL’S AND ALL ANGELS, CLYDE.

—o— A more than usually interesting event occupied the attention of Clyde and the surrounding districts on Sunday last. The stone church, which was begun some six months’ ago, was completed, and the Bishop of Dunedin very kindly made a special Lip up-country to open and consecrate it. His Lordship preached a most appropriate sermon in the morning from 1 Corinthians, iii. chap. 16th and 17th verses, to a crowded congregation. In the evening he also preached, taking for his text 2 Corinthians, yi chap. 14th verse. The two sermons—the morning one taking the view of the material house of God, and then bringing homo to each hearer that ho was a temple of God, the Holy Spirit dwelling in him ; and the evening one shewing whence this honor and every blessing connected with it sprang—the love of Christ, and the constraining winning influence that love should have upon üB--formed one complete whole. Both were listened to with that breathless attention which is a characteristic of our congregations. The prayers were said by the curate (the Rev. John Dewe), the morning lessons read by MrWilson, licensed lay reader. The full Choir, admirably supported by Mr Stevens, who presided at the harmonium, sang with great heartiness and precision the high class music which had been chosen for the occasion. Both anthem and services were well rendered, and the parish is to be congratulated on having a choir in which are some very superior voices, and one which is willing to perfect natural gifts by a careful training for the praises of God’s sanctuary. It is only just to Mr Stevens to say that the excellence of the choir is entirely due to the careful training which ho has bestowed upon them, and we feel assured that had it not been for the time and trouble he has devoted to that object, the flattering eulogy of the Bishop spoken during the sermon would not have been called forth. The Church itself is one of which the congregation may well be proud, and evinces the energy and liberality of the neighborhood. It is built of stone—tuck-pointed, and consists of Nave, 30 feet long ; Choir, 6 feet; both 20 feet wide ; and Chancel, 12 feet by 12 feet. The Vestry and Porch, ■projecting from the main building, give re lief to the South snle. The stylo is early English Gothic. The Nave and Choir of the building are •divided into three bays with open principals, the ribs of which spring from moulded corbels. The whole construction of the roof being exposed is stained and varnished. The east and west gables are I'ghted with triple muliioned windows, with spandrels at head- AH the windows are ground glass, lead lights, wkh stained-glass borders, and with the exception of the east window have stamed-glass spandrels. The main wall of the building at the line of the chancel is opened up by a Gothic arch, springing from a square pillar with capital. The floor of the Choir is raised one step above the floor of the Nave, and the Chancel floor one step above it. The simple prayer desk and lectern stand at the end of the Choir in the Chancel. The communion railing is placed about midway of the depth. Two massive chairs stand one on either side of the holy table, and the credence table is placed on the south side. The whole is lightel by four three-light silber chandeliers. Every fitting and detail is in such unison with the rest that a complete whole is attained, of which Clyde may indeed be proud. Over the main gable there is an open campanile, with bell. The contract for the building was taken by Mr Huoston, who executed the fittings and woodwork connected with it. The stone work was nrder Mr Roes (of Roxburgh). The painting, &c,,by Mr Auckland. The chairs and windows are from Messrs Guthrie and Lanrach. The whole of the work r( fleets the greatest credit on all engaged iu it, the heart as well as the hands being employed. The Church will hold 100, and the Choir 20 i>er.sons Wo congratulate the Curate and the Committee, with all others whs took bo thoroughly kind and

hearty an interest in the work on so successful a termination to their labors. They may Indeed ho proud that of the freewill offerings of the people, without bazaar or similar doubtful expedient, they have so liberally, so punctually given, thatthe workmen have never waited for their money when it was duo, and when finished it was free from debt, and ready to bo sanctified for the purpose it was erected, DUNSTAN DISTRICT GUN CLUB. —o— The members of the above Club met at Cromwell on Saturday last, when there was a very good attendance. There was a large supply of birds provided, and the shooting was very good, and had it not been for the wind that prevailed at the time, which blew across the range, there would not have been the number of misses. For the following scores we are indebted to the courtesy of tho Hon. Secretary of the Club : - Handicap Sweep of Six Birds. I). Stronach— 23yds— 011010 ... 3 J. Strpnack do. 1111011 ... 6 R Stewart do. 01101* ... 3 A. J. Dennistnn do. Oil 1110 ... 5 S. M. Dalgleish do. OHIO* ... 3 W. T. Sams do. loilio ... 4 Sweet do. 1000* ... 1 Dianan 21yds—010101 ... 3 Willmott do. 1000* ... i Simpson 20yds—0000* , . 0 V Mack ay do. 101 110 ... 4 i LoughnaH do. 001* ... 1 / M‘George do. 0001* ... 1 Jones 19yds- 010* ... 1 * Denotes withdrawn. Handicap Sweep of Three Birds. D. Stronach—23yds—lllolllo 6 J. Stronach do. 1101110 ... 5 R. Stewart do, 100 . . 1 Dennistnn do. 000 ... 0 Dalgleish do. lllllUll ... Saras do. 00i ... I Sweet do. 010 ... 1 Pitman 21yds—0 1 ... 1 Willmott do. 000 ... 0 Mackay 20yds-Oil 1110 ... 5