NEW ST. PAUL’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 669, 11 August 1876, Page 3

NEW ST. PAUL’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The plans of the new church, to be built either of brick or wood, were submitted by Mr S. O. Farr, architect, to a meeting of the building committee of the vestry held on Tuesday last, and approved by them. The church will be erected at the corner of Cashel and Madras streets, and will be of the Grecian style of architecture. The ground plan extends 145 ft over all from Cashel street southwards ; the width at the tower end, 81ft ; the main floor, 80 feet x 50ft, and the two vestries, 24ft x 13ft with an apse at the south end of semi-octagonal shape. The full height of the exterior walls will be 40ft from ground line to eave, and to the apex of roof, 49ft, The height of the bell tower to the top of terminal wilj be 105 ft, and the opposite or eastern tower, 72ft. The front, which will face Cashel street, has a portico of the Doric order with entablature supported by four columns ,* the height to apex of pediment being 47ft. The upper part of the bell tower is of the Corinthian order with numerous embellishments, and will be (as will also be the eastern tower) _ surmounted by an octagonal dome with gilded terminal and foot trusses. The tympanum of the pediment over the portico is to be enriched with carved scroll work. The flank walls are relieved by a series of pilasters running the whole height of the building. On either side a porch of the same order projects lift. The roof will be covered with slates, and the ventilation effected by an ornamental turret and other means. The internal arrangements are very complete. A gallery extends all round the building supported by cast iron Corinthian columns, the sides being 12£t in width, that at the north end 26ft, and at the south end 14ft, at the rear of which is a large cove in the apse for the organ. The ceiling will be formed of one large panel, around the borders of which are perforations for purposes of ventilation. An impost cornice runs around the walls, from which a cove is formed to the lower line of the ceiling. The lower floor declines 18in from the entrance towards the pulpit. The main entrance, which is approached by a flight of stone steps—as also are the entrances to the towers—under the portico, leads into a vestibule Bft wide, extending from one tower to the other. From the vestibule access is obtained to the church by two double swing doors, with single doors leading into the towers and into each porch. These doors will be provided with a novel catch, suggested by the architect, which will prevent draughts—a provision that will no doubt be duly appreciated. The galleries are approached at the north end by staircases in the towers, and at the south end from the apse, which afford ready access both to the galleries and choir. The seats on the ground floor are arranged in curveform, which it is believed will give increased comfort to the congregation, The vestries

can be entered from the church, and from the apse. The church will be ventilated by trunks under the floor, and grating in the aisles with movable disc. There will also be tubes placed in the walls with patent valves both for lower and gallery floors ; this, with the perforations in the ceiling, should give ample ventilation to the whole building. The church will be lighted with three patent sunlights of twenty-one burners each, and a series of bracket lamps will be fixed under the galleries, and in the vestibule and apse. From each porch a lamp of fancy pattern will be suspended, The plinth will be of granite obtained from Mr Tait’s quarry in Colombo street, erected on cement concrete foundations, and the floors of the portico, porches, and apse will be formed of the same material. The interior wa’ls will be plastered throughout, and if the building committee determine to build the church of wood, the exterior is to be sheathed, and finished off with “ two” tinted sands. If the building is to be of brick, the exterior walls are to be compoed, and also finished as before mentioned. Alternative tenders have been called for the church, and the decision of the committee will be known on or about the Ist September. VYhon finished, not only will St Paul’s be a credit to the congregation, but it will also be an ornament to the city.