KAIAPOI EPISCOPALIAN CHURCH.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 681, 25 August 1876, Page 3

KAIAPOI EPISCOPALIAN CHURCH.

The consecration services of the Church of England, at Kaiapoi, and also the cemetery, were performed Thursday by his Lordship the Bishop of Christchurch. The church, built originally on the Sandhills, North road, about eighteen years ago, was, about fifteen years since, removed to a more secure foundation, as well as more suitable site, on an acre of land in Cass street, given by the Church Property Trustees for that purpose. During the whole of this period it has been used for Divine worship, but for divers reasons the consecration and dedication services were delayed. The first clergyman who used the church was the Rev John Raven, subsequently the Rev W. W. Willock, and latterly the Rev H. E. Carlyon, were the incumbents. On itß removal, north and south transepts, and a chancel were added, and the original portion forms the present nave. Its length is about 80ft or 90ft, the nave is about 22ft in width, the transepts and chancel finish off the crnciform plan in equal proportions. The vestry is added in the south-west corner of the transept and chancel. Till recent alterations were made seating accommodation for about 150 persons was provided for, but the extension of the chancel, to admit choir stalls, and the north transept being at present occupied as an organ chamber, have somewhat restricted the sittings, which will, however, it is hoped, be again increased when the Church is enlarged—a work that will probably be next undertaken. The original church was from a design given to Rev J. Raven by Mr James Edward FitzGerald, who both took a deep interest in the work. The additions were designed by Mr Mountfort, and are in keeping with the first portion. The fabric, while it has no remarkable lines of beauty, is strong and substantial, the roof the nave being supported at a long pitch with outside buttresses, and the inside portion of the roof is exceedingly well built. The timber was cut from the bush formerly existing close to the town, and special efforts were made hy the bushmen and others to supply the best and handsomest looking timber. The roof is open, the walls are half plastered, and the lower portion done with dadoing. The chancel, nave, and transepts are lighted with large triplet windows and quory glass in lead, the sides of the nave being lighted with smaller Gothic windows and plain panes. The entrances are by porched doors at each side of the nave. Recently the chancel walls have been flatted and colored with French grey coloring, the reredos, which was plain polished panelling, has been ornamented, the heavy communion rails have been replaced with lighter ones, and the dadoing round the sanctuary stained a dark hue. Inside the rails has been laid a handsome green carpet, and the table yesterday was decorated with a white cloth with scarlet and gold devices, which was presented to the ineumbent. The choir stalls, affording seats for twenty choristers, have been comfortably provided, and every provision has been made to deaden the sound of feet. The stalls are duly lighted with triple candlesticks, whioh separate the sanctuary from the church, the inner part of the communion rails also contains two large candlesticks, with each seven lights. To get the organ a place some thirty sittings have been taken up in the north transept. This instrument, erected by Mr E. H, Jenkins, has been well fitted up, the Kauri case handsomely polished, and with the bright illuminated pipes gives the church a pretty appearance. Adjacent to the church is a neat Sunday school, the yard has been laid down in grass and planted with ornamental trees. The order of service for the festival of dedication began with matins at 7.30 a.nv, and first celebration of holy communion, the incumbent being celebrant, at 8 a.m. The consecration took place at 10.30 a.m. At this service it was to be regretted there was a limited attendance, and the number of clergy expected did not arrive. The Bishop, attended by the Ven Archdeacon Dudley, the Bevs W. H. Cooper and H. E. Carlyon, was received at the north door, when a petition Bigned by the incumbent, Messrs J. Birch and J. F. Fletcher, churchwardens, and Messrs F. 8. Funston, R. Woodford, J. W. Bevan and E. Feldwick, members of the parish was read, asking his lordship to consecrate the church and churchyard, dedicating the same to St Bartholomew. His Lordship received the same aDd ordered it to be read. It was read, and the Bishop signified his consent to consecrate in accordance with the prayers of the petitioners. The Bishop, Archdeacon, and priests, and eight phoristers under Mr Funston, the choirmaster, the choir in surplices and cassocks, formed a procession up the nave towards the communion table chanting Psalm xxiv. The organ was played by Miss Funston, and at her first public rehearsal acquitted herself admirably. The instruments of conveyance having been presented to the Bishop, he proceeded with the service, which finished, the sentence of consecration was read and his Lordship stated it would be enrolled and preserved amongst the muniments in the registry. The epistle of the day was read by the incumbent, the Gospel by the ven Archdeacon, and. the hymn Veni Creator was sung. The Bishop preached on the subject of praise, from Revelations six, v 5. The ppTvirpi for Holy Communion was then proceeded with, and that sacrament administered to twenty-two communicants. Hymn 206 (A. and M.) was sung, and a procession formed out of the church singing the Te Deum. a public luncheon was given in the Bchool room. During the afternoon the Litany of the Church was read, and there was a children's service. At 4 p.m. the consecration of the cemetery was carried out by the Bishop, who was met on the ground by the churchwardens. Those present formed a irocession round the burial ground, chanting Psalms xxxix and cxv. It must be satisfactory to nptice that some attention Has been paid here to maintaining the paths and g!rave3 in proper order. Iu the evening the organ recital was given bv Mr N. G. Barnett, F.C.0., organist of St John's, wh> brought out fully the superior qualities of the instrument. At Evensong, Rev W H. Cooper preached, and the order of the' musical service was—Processional Hymn 386 (A. and M.), special Psalms lxxxiv and cxxii, Magnificat, sth tone, Ist ending: Nunc.Dimittis, 3rd tone, Ist ending; Anthem, Hymn 242; Hymns. 243 and 382, Processional Hymn 385. The offertories were to bo devoted to the renovation fund.