CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS AND SERVICES.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1516, 26 December 1878, Page 3

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS AND SERVICES.

Aa is usual at this pcason of tho year special services were held, and the various Anglican Churches decorated. Eirst in order may be noticed ST. MICHAEL'S.

This church, as usual, was very prettily decorated, but not quito so elaborately in some respects as upon former occasions. On tho western door was tho inscription "Alleluia" in red letters on a white ground with a border of leaves running north and south along the side aisles. Above the windows was a lino of leaves. The font as usual was well decorated. A pyramid was built up above it, consisting of koromiko, and round the basin was a thick fringe of the same plant, a wreath running from font to pedestal. At each of the four corners of this latter was a basket of flowers in which tho lily predominated. The pillars of the church from end to end and on both sides were wreathed with leaves and flowers of many colors, consisting of bluebells, picotees, lilies, calceolarias, &c. The reading desks wevj profusely decorated with flowers and green leaves roses, dahlias, and koromiko predominating. Above the chancel was a fringe of leaves, suspended from the centre of which was a handsome white silk bannaret with a yellow fringe, containing the monogram I.H.S. in red and blue letters. The choristors* desks wore also very prettily decorated with lilies, pinks, rose leaves &c, not only along the top, but also down the pillars, which were wreathed with koromiko. Above the chancel was suspended the motto, in white letters on a blue ground, " Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord," while immediately above the altar, in blue and red lettering was the motto, " The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us," and also the motto, "Glory to the now-born King. Alleluia!" Upon the altar table were two very handsome vases filled with flowers. Extending all along the east end at the back and sides of the altar, a framework was built up, the whole of which was covered and wreathed with flowers and evergreens in great profusion, but in a very tasteful manner. This frame work was about ten feet high, and in two of its alcoves were other vases of flowers. The appearance of this portion of the decorations was very handsome Tho upper portion of tho framework bore two crests of flowers and leaves at shoit distances, thus giving to it a very pretty finish. With regard to the Christmas services, the first took place on Christmas Eve, and was full choral. In place of tho anthem selections were given from the "Messiah." The Rev. E. G. Penny conducted the service. There was a very large attendance. Yostorday there were choral services morning and evening, both of which were largely attended. ST. JOHN'S, LATIMEE SQTJAEE. The vigil service at this church on Christmas Eve began with the Processional Hymn, "Come, O Come Emmanuel," sang by a full choir. The usual evening serrice to the endjof tho third Collect was jtaken, the responses being rendered chorally. After the third Collect the recitation "There wero Shepherds," and the chorus "Glory to God," from Handel's great work, were rendered by tho members of tho choir. After which the following carols were sung by choir and congregation :—" The Story of tho Shepherd," "When Christ was born," "Good King Wenceslas," " Once in Royal David's city," "The first Nowell," "Good Christian men rejoice." The sermon preached by the Rev. J. W. Stack from Phil, ii., 5, was heard with great attention. The Recessional Hymn, " Christians Awake, Salute the happy Morn," brought a very interesting service to a conclusion. The congregation was exceedingly good, despite the state of tho weather. Tho service of Christmas day was choral and was largely attended. The hymns were those appropriate to the season from "Hymns Ancient and Modern," and tho anthem was was,from the Messiah " For unto us a child is born." The sermon was preached by the Rev. H. C. M. Watson from the words of the anthem B>. ix. 6. The evening service was plain. The attendance of the members of the choir at the vigil and morning service was exceedingly good, and the musical portions of services wore well rendered, the organ accompaniments being all that could be desired. The offertories were between £ls and £l6. The decorations at this church were exceedingly effective, being somewhat out of the common. Fronting the north and south doors respectively were two large Gothic arches of greenery, toi toi, and flowers, and these were repeated, to the number of seven, up the centre of the nave of the church. The font was prettily decorated with flowers and evergreens wreathed around the base and into the font itself, whilst floating on the water, was a plant of the broad-leaved lily of Bethlehem. The corbels were traced and decorated with toi toi and holly, interspersed with flowers, and the doors were also traced in a similar manner The lectern was wreathed, following the design with flowers and evergreens, and in the centre panel was a very pretty floral cross of white lilies. The chancel and choir stalls were wreathed with flowers, &c, and on the chancel floor wore placed a collection of choice pot plants. The Communion rails were wreathed with ropes of greenery and toitoi knotted with flowers. On the Communion table was a vase of roses, and above the east window a white Christmas cross on a crimson ground, which, seen from tho west end of the church, through the green arches, had a very pretty effect. Altogether, the decorations wero in very good taste. ST. LUKE THE EVANGELIST. The decorations at this church were also exceedingly pretty. Over the oast door was the text, " The day spring from on high hath visited us," in holly. This was supported on one side by a Christmas cross of holly with bouquets of flowers at the points, and on the other by a double triangle—tho symbol of eternity. The reading desk, lectern, and bases of the pillars were wreathed with holly, toi-toi, and (lowers. The font was prettily decorated with whito lilies, koromiko, and scarlet geraniums. Over the chancel were two banners representing the adoration of the Magi and the Shepherds of Bethlehem. Above these was the text " Unto us a Son is born." The service on Christmas Day, which was fully choral, was conducted by tho Revs. E. A. Lingard and J. W. Stack. Tho communion was administered at the close of tho service. HOLY TRINITY, AVONSIDB. Advantage was taken of the quaintnesß of this church, and tho various decorations were exceedingly effective. Flowers, evergreens, and toi toi were used to decorate the arches, pillars, and various parts of the church, and the effect was good. Full choral service was oelebrated on Christmas Day. ST. maby's, meeivale. On entering this church tho first thing to strike the eye is the font, artistically wre.ithcd with ivy and laurestinas, the dark groen of the former contrasting nicely with the white sprays of the flowering shrub. Bunches of white roses, scarlet geraniums, white snapdragons, trumpet lilies mingled with laurel and variegated geraniums, aro pendent from the four corners, :nd the top is crowned with n magnificent bouquet of lilies, geraniums, and lychi <.■*, jrelieved by the feathery fronds of the asparagus. The base of the bouquet is ol laurel, ivy, and laurestinas. On tho cress beam which "divides tho main from the eido aisle is an illuminated inscription in old English characters on a white surface bordered with yew—" The Word was mado ono flesh." Above the d>wio running round the building h a fringe of the toitoi grass and deep amb«r colored lilies with bosses of dahlias at intervals. Spinning the last arch and facing the chancel is a ribband, the ground crimson and tho border of ivy leaven, above being placed a Targe of trumpet lilies with a d:trk yellow trues in tho centre. The ribband bearj the following inscription in white letters :—" Glory to God I in the Highest." The slightly raised platform I leading to the chancel is bordered upon either side by pots ot geraniums and choice plants, the stand for the books on either

side being festooned with laurel, yew, and toi. On either side of the chancel are the emblems of eternity, one trianglo within another. These aro of ivy leaves, the points being formed of sprays of scarlet verbena. The front of tho lectern and reading desk are festooned with yellow dahlias, geraniums, tui grass and lilies, producing a charming effect. Two double triangular shields, on which are inscribed the letters 1.H.5., are suspended from the cross-beam above, the border being greon, the ground crimson, and the letters white Tho beam itself bears the device in richly illuminated letters, "Unto us a child is born." This also is framed in sprigs of yew. At either extremity of the beam are shields with a white pointed cross on a chocolate ground, and likewise bordered with yew. Immediately above tho communion tabic is a largo Maltese cross, tho centre being in the form of a six-pointed star enclosed in a circle. On the star, the ground of which is crimson, are the letters, in white, 1.H.5., the arms of the cross being also white. The cross and star aro bordered with holly leaves, and the cross itself with sprigs of yew. Tho effect of the whole is delicate in the extreme. On the altar itself stand vases of choice flowers. The dado running round below the stained glass window is fringed with green and white, in harmony with the rest of tho decorations. Lastly, where the slope of tho roof springs from the centre window, is the inscription "Halleluia," in open crimson letters on white, and edged with green. Since last Christmas the church has been renovated in some respects, the walls being now tinted of a delicate French grey. Great taste is evident in the general decoration of the church. At the service on Christmas Eve the four following carols were sung : —The First Nowell, Good Christian Men Rejoice, Good Xing Winceslaus, and The Story of the Shepherd. There were two services on Christmas Day, the first celebration at half-past 8 a.m. The midday service was full choral, ths following hymns and anthems being sung : —s9fch hymn, the 19th, 45th, and 85th, To Deum and Benedictus (Goss in C), Athanasian Creed and anthem "Let us now go." The following was the programme of the Communion celebration : (Morcer); Credo, sang in unison (Goss in D), and offertory sentences 14 and 15. The service commenced with the "Adeste fideles." The Eev Mr Flavel officiated, and afterwards preached from the text "Blessed be the name of the Lord God of Israel for he hath visited and redeemed his people" ST. MATTHEW'S, CALEDONIAN BOAD. The simplicity of this unassuming little church affords very small scope for tho display of very elaborate decoration, but the taste of Mr Gordon, shown in the arrangement of flowers and greenery, has produced an exceedingly pretty effect, and made the Church second in tastefulness to none. The effect on entering the church is enhanced by the feathery tops of the asparagus, with which all tho candalabra are entwined, as well as being intermixed with other foliage for the decoration of the windows and pilasters. At the western end of the church are two inscriptions in old English characters, on a white ground, "Unto us a child is born"—" Unto us a son is given"—the same sentences being repeated above the altar within the chancel railings. Conspicuous at the back of the altar is a cross of white wool embossed with pure white pinks. To the right and left are triangular emblems, of holly and pinks, with the Alpha and Omega in Greek characters. Above all is a rising star, emblematical of the " Star of Bethlehem," formed of white lilies with trusses of lychnis in the centre. Tho railings enclosing tho chancel are wreathed with matapo. The lectern and reading desk are almost hidden with garlands of trumpet lilies, carnations, roses, matapo, and box, the various colors being contrasted and blended with excellent taste. The font is beautified with bunches of white roses, pinks, lilies, and Chinese honey suckle, conspicuous amongst tho tints being that of tho scarlet lychnis. The general effect of the decorations is heightened by the harmonious blending of the lauristinus and veronica with the other shrubs and flowers, the feathery toi toi being introduced wherever it can add lightness to the glossy leaves of the holly and other foliage plants. The morning service was conducted by the Rev. Canon Cotterill, and that in the evening by the Eev. Reginald Mortimer, the newly appointed curate. CATHOLIC CHUECH, BAEBADOES STEEBT. This place of worship was crowded at the services. In the morning and evening Masses were held at 6,7, 9, 9.30, and 11 o'clock. At the last the choir sang selections from Mozart's No. 12. At 7 o'clock in the evening there wero vespers and the benediction. There were no special decorations to the Church. The sanctuary was hung with garlands, and there were a few extra flowers on tho altar and a number of handsome pot plants wero placed at intervals upon the floor.

HOLY TEINITY CHTJECH, LYTTELTON. The decorations at this placo of worship wore very striking. Illuminated cards, extending the compliments of the day to all, hung at the entrance, while tho inscriptions—- " Peaco be within Thy walls," and " Hosannah, Son of God," in green leaves on a white ground —showed in very good taste upon the arch of the porch. Upon the walls, in Gothic lettering, was the Scriptural prophecy, in white on scarlet ground, " His name shall be called, Wonderful, Councillor," &e. Festoons of evergreens overhung the windows, being carried into prettily woven medallions on the walls underneath. The font dressed with deep colored geraniums and lilies looked extremely handsome. Various appropriate texts wero hung near tho doors. An elegant scroll, bearing tho words " Glory to God in the Highest," was placed in front of the organ. Over the reading desk was hung a whito cloth, edged with gilt fringe, bearing the monogram "1.H.5,," the letters being worked in crimson silk. Tho same letters appeared upon goldedged banners of whito, hung at either side of the transept. The chancel and its walls were also suitably ornamented. The altar window-sill was decorated as last year, and by the same lady, the work being exceedingly beautiful. The" decorations, as a whole, were exceedingly effective, and the congregation may fairly bo congratulated upon their Christmas services. Tho sermon was preached by tho Rev. J. Townsend, incumbent, the service being full choral. Tho collection amounted to £6 3s Gd. Tnß CATHOLIC CHUBOH, LYTTELTON. Beautiful decorations at this church met tho eye at every turn. The moat elegant, perhaps, was the ornament in front of the altar. The pillars supporting the gallery wore also very prettily wreathed with evergreens. Appropriate emblems were also exhibited on the walls of the edifice, and the verse, "Glory be to God on high, &0.," was exhibited in ultramarine colored letters on a white ground. An appropriate and effective sermon was preached by Father Donovan at noon, the High MaBB celebrated being L'Abbo Jouvo's in Jf major, the offertory, " Adeste Fideles " by Nov'ello, and the hymn, "See mid the winter snow." A large congregation was present at the services.