EASTER FESTIVAL SERVICES.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 570, 17 April 1876, Page 3

EASTER FESTIVAL SERVICES.

Yesterday being Easter .Sunday festival services were hold in the various churches of the city. Below wo give details of the services • ST MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS. The chief feature in the decorations of this church was a floral rood screen under the chancel arch. This screen was composed of a large centre arch and two smaller ones on each side. The principal outlines were composed of yellowdahlias, the less prominent ones of red and pink, the whole being bordered with matapo wreathing, and surmounted by toi toi grass, which gave to tha design a most pleasing and airy appearance. The scraen itself was double, and decorated within and without. The decorations of the altar consisted of ivy wreaths ou the dorsal, and two magnificent vases of flowers on the altar itself. Inside the rails were petunias, &c, in pots, and other pot plants were placed in the openings of the choir stalls. The stalls themselves are so handsome that it was considered unnecessary to decorate them. In the body of the church the decorations consisted of matapo and flower wreathing in various prominent positions. The pillars were encircled with wreaths made of lauristinus and ivy, with (lower wreaths for the capitals, The banner, which has been used on previous occasions, was hung over the western doorway. The font was most chastely decorated with ferns and moss, with the text, “ Softer little children to come, unto Me,” round the upper part. A cross formed of moss and passion flowers floated inside. The text, “ Christ is risen from the dead—the lirst. fruits of them that slept," was placed on the rood screen. The services consisted of a choral celebration of the Holy Communion at eight o’clock a ru,. choral matins with plain celebration, at which there were a large number of communicants, at eleven o’clock, and choral even song at halfpast six. The rev Incumbent officiated at all the services. The anthem in the, morning was “ Christ is risen.” composed by the organist of the parish church, Mr R. Parker; and in the evening the processional hymn, Onward Christian soldiers,” was sung. The anthem was, “B- hold ! I show you a mystery ” After the offertory, “ But Thou did’at not leave his soul in hell,” was rendered, the whole concluding with the Hallelnj di Chorus. The services were well attended, especially that in the evening. iS 1’ LUKES. The decorations at St Luke’s were of an exceedingly chaste and pretty character. Over the chancel screen was the text in white letters, “ Christ onr passover is sacrificed for us, therefore let us keep the peace,” Iwo bannerets hung immediately in front of chancel, and the screen was tastefully orna merited with holly and flowers. In the sanctuary over the centre window was the t( xt “ Christ is risen," and the various desks in the chancel were wreathed with holly and toi toi grass, while two white bannerets, bearing symbolic emblems, depended from the roof. Round the entire walls of the church ran the following text: —“Alleluia ! worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing. Alleluia.’’ The various doorways and windows of the church were surrounded with holly wreaths, and the gas pendants were similarly decorated, as were also the heads of the different pillars. Special attention had been paid to the decoration of the font. Each of the four cornices of the base were ornamented with a bunch of holly, while a wreath of the same plant encircled the centre of the pedestal. The interior and upper poition of the font contained a large assortment of evergreens and variegated fl iwers. the whole being surmounted by a magnificent magnolia, while festoons hung round the upper portion. At the western end of the church, against the walls, were two sacred symbols worked in leaves, and over the western door the word “Alleluia” was displayed. This lettering, as well as that which ran round the church, was artistically formed of holly. The Rev Mr Lingard officiated at all the services, which were well attended, and of the usual hearty character. ~ ST JOHN’S. The decorations at St John the Baptist, Latimer square, were remaikable for their simplicity and effect. The window recesses were filled with bouquets of flowers backed by evergreens, which had a very pretty effect, and the font was entirely covered by pot plants tastefully arranged on staging. The choir stalls, lectern, and reading desk were also wreathed with evergreens and (lowers. Over the altar at the cast end was a large white cross, closely imitating stone, designed and made by Mr O. Hull, and over the chancel arch was one made by the organist, which was remarkable for the ingenuity and efltect displayed in its manufacture. The body of the cross standing out in relief was of cardboard, wilh the sacred monogram interlaced, and having round it a glory formed of straws, which had a very remarkable effect, the light playing upon it causing it to look like burnished silver. The music arranged for the occasion was as fellows;—At matins, processional hymn, “Jesus Christ is risen today,” Tallis’festival responses, Easter anthem to “Grand chant,” “ Te Deutu” to Dr Boyce in A, Bencdictus to a chant arranged from Handel. Theantbem was one composed by Mr 0, B. Allen, “Now is Christ risen,” and the “ Kyrie," a beautiful piece of music by G. B. Aguttcr; Nicene Creed to Goss in 1). During the offertory some of the sentences were sung to a setting by Mr Neville Barnett. At evensong there was a very large and crowded congregation; the accommodation of the church being taxed to the utmost, and being quite insufficient to accommodate the numbers seeking seats, The music was as follows :—Processional hymn, " Christ the Lord is risen to-day,” “ Cantate .Domino,” and “Nnuc Dimitris,” to a setting by the choirmaster, specially composed for the occasion. The anthem was selected from Handel’s oratorio “ The Messiah,” including “I know that my Redeemer liveth” (in which the choir received the assistance of one of our best known lady vocalists), followed by the two succeeding quartettes and choruses ; and concluding with the “ Hallelujah Chorus.” During the Offertory Handel's chorus, “Worthy the Lamb,” was played ou the organ.

HOLY TRINIFY CHURCH, LYTTELTON. This church was chastely decorated yesterday. Over the chnccl was the text in evergreens, “He is not here, He is riser' The font was filled with flowers, and other parts of the church were also tastefully adorned.