LAYING THE FOUNDATIONSTONE OF THE CHURCH AT WARRINGTON.

Evening Star, Issue 2859, 18 April 1872, Page 2

LAYING THE FOUNDATIONSTONE OF THE CHURCH AT WARRINGTON.

It had been intended that the ceremony of laying the foundation-stone of the Episcopal Church in course of construction near Blueskin should be held on Saturday last, and a considerable number of persons inte rested in the event were expected to be present from Dunedin, as wed as from the districts in the more immediate vicinity. However, the bad weather which prevailed on the appointed day rendered a postponement of the proceedings until Sunday necessary. The ceremony was preceded by a brief service suitable to the occasion, which was conducted by the Rev. E. H. Granger, who also delivered an impressive and instructive address to the assemblage, which included many of the settlers and residents of the surioinu i jg districts. A bottle containing specimens of the coins of the realm now current, together with copies of the K veiling Star and the Otago Daily Times of Friday, the 12th hist., was deposited in a cavity under the foundationstone, which was formally laid by Mrs James Smith ; and, having been examined by professional experts present, was at length declared well and truly laid. Perhaps no church in the Province has been built under more favorable circumstances than that of St. Barnabas, Warrington, will be ; for it i. confidently expected that the promoters will be able to open it in the course of a few months entirely free from debt. The work at present done consists of the clearing of the land, the construction of the foundation in substantial masonry, and the purchase of the timber for building the church itself, the expenses of which have been defrayed from funds raised by subscription, and the proceeds of a concert held last January at the Masonic Hall in Dunedin. With a view to supporting the cost of building the tody of the church, and completing it sufficiently to admit of services neing held, it is proposed to hold a bazaar in June next in Dunedin. Very liberal contribution of fancy work, articles of ccrtu, and other necessaries of the stock in trade of a bazaar, have already come to hand, and many more are promised, not only from Dunedin, but from those interested in the district of Blueskin, in Tasmania, and Australia, and even in the moth r country. The assistance of the public is earnestly requested to further this object by donations of any kind. Mrs Pitt, of Warrington, has given a piece of land, sufficient to provide a site for the church and the “ God’s Acre,” as the old Saxon’s called their village grave-yard. The direction of the whole work, from the selection of the ground to the present stage of the building has under the personal supervison of Mr Pitt. The trowel with which Mrs Smith laid the foundation stone on Sunday was the work of Mr Chillcott, of Rattray street, and is an unique example of workmanship in greenstone and silver; the blade is handsomely engraved with ornamental work, and bears an inscription recording the occasion on which it was presented. Mr Semple, masbii, of Blueskin, constructed the basement of the church, and the timber work is entrusted to Mr B. Smith, carpenter, of Merton,

The Services of the Church of England have hitherto been held, as often, as circumstances would allow, at the residence of one of the leading settlers of the district; and a great and long-felt want will be supplied by the completion of St. Barnabas’s Church, wherejwe hope to reali e the words employed at the ceremony of laying the foundation stone —“ May peace, harmony, and brotherly love ever abide.”