NEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SYDENHAM.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1997, 19 July 1880, Page 3

NEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SYDENHAM.

■w new Presbyterian Church, Sydenham, the foundation stone of which was laid on Saturday afternoon last will be, when completed, an important addition to the church architecture of the town. The site chosen is a corner section on Colombo road south, a short distance from the Sydenham Borough Council offices. [According to the plans, which were kindly explained to tho reporter by Mr Whitelaw, the architect, it appears that the building is intended ultimately to seat 800 people, viz., 500 in the body, and 300 in the gallery, and in addition to the church proper a hall and vestry rooms will bo provided. The present contract is for the building complete externally, but does not include either gallery.or sittings, as the former is not to be gone on with at present. The stylo of the building is to be gothic, adapted to combine as far as possible economical construction with artistic appearance, the material to be used being timber, with concrete foundations. The church internally will be ceiled, and the ceiling prettily ornamented, whilst the windows are designed for filling in with cathedral or stained glass. A feature worthy of mention in connection with Mr Whitolaw’s plans is the provision made for ventilation, being on the principle of overhead supply, under complete control and regulation, the whole of the eaves of the church being utilised to allow tho ingress of fresh air, whilst the offtake of exhaust or vitiated air is provided for by means of wall and ceiling ventilators, conneoted with a huge upcast trunk flue capable of being regulated as required to ensure its effective operation. Thus great care has been taken to have a building which shall be a credit to tho Church and tho place. So far as tho external appearance is concerned, the plans indicate that it will be a handsome, and even imposing building. As before stated, Mr J. Whitelaw is the architect, and Messrs Marshall Bros., builders, St. Asaph street, are the contractors. laying the foundation stone. The ceremony of laying the foundation atone of the new church took place shortly after 3 o’clock. A platform had been erected for the accommodation of the clergy and a number of ladies and gentlemen, but there were many more present than could be accommodated thereon. The proceedings wore commenced by tinging the Hundredth Psalm, after which the Rev. Mr Horner said prayers. The Rev. Mr Cairns then came forward, and stated the object for which they had met, adding a few words of congratulation that the Church was advancing in this district, and taking its proper place among other Churches of the Reformation. He then called upon Mr Easton to read a historical statement of the Church.

Mr Easton having responded to tho invitation by reading a report, which appeared to bo highly satisfactory. The Rev. Mr Cairns said they would now proceed to the business of the day, and called upon Mr J. Anderson, who was an old and highly respected resident in Canterbury, and closely identified with the progression of Presbyterianism, to lay the foundation stone of the now church.

Mr Anderson said—Mr Cairns, ladies and gentlemen,—lt gives me very great pleasure

to have tho honor conferred upon mo of laying tho foundation stone of a homo that is to be raised for the worship of God, wherein I trust many shall hear with much joy and gladness the sound of the gospel truth which will be preached to them from time to time, and where I hope many will become living examples of the great benefits they derive from their frequent attendance at this place of worship. It must be a matter of groat satisfaction and thankfulness to all good Christian people to observe that in this the land of our adoption, when our are increasing and our city becoming more extended, to find that wo are not wholly forgetful of our duty in respect to the work in which wo are this day engaged ; but that we are putting our hand to the plough in preparing a place where God can be worshipped, and where it is much needed; for all who have experienced the discomfort arising from veur not having a place sufficiently largo wherein to worship, will be fully satisfied as to tho necessity of tho step you are now taking, and I hope it will not be deemed unbecoming in mo to express a hope that the burden of the work may not. be left upon tho shoulders of a few. lam sure you will agree with me when I say you need have no fear of success; but it will greatly encourage your pastor, who I trust may bo long spared to you, to see the congregation putting their bands to the work unitedly and enthusiastically. And you have much encouragement to do this, not only in the prospect you have of largely extending tho church in our own time, but also in the hope of handing down to posterity a monument of your attachment to those great truths and principles with which the Presbyterian Church has been so long and so nobly identified. I have now to congratulate the building committee of this church on their choice of a site. It is, I think, in a very excellent position to suit the convenience of most of the congregation living in this locality. I have also to congratulate them on their choice of their minister—the Rev. Mr Cairns —who, I hope, may be long conneoted with this now branch of our Church, to see it grow up through his own valuable ministrations, doing oil for the glory of God. I now thank you for the honor you have done mo, and, whilst expressing only goodwill to other churches that are truly Christian, I conclude by fondly expressing a hope that brighter days of usefulness and prosperity may be awaiting us, not only as a congregation, but in a fuller a id broader sense, as tho Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. At this stage Mr Whitelaw presented Mr Anderson with a silver trowel, and that gentleman having performed the ceremony entrusted to him in the orthodox manner, he declared the stone well and truly laid. A collection was then made on behalf of the building fund, and a good sum obtained. An apology was received for the unavoidable absence of the Rev. Mr Elmslie, and a letter was read from Mr Sutherland, intimating his intention to subscribe two guineas. The Rev. Mr Hill, of Lyttelton, then addressed those present. Ho said—The ceremony which has brought us together to-day, and which we have now witnessed, is one which I am sure awakens gladness in all our hearts. Of such importance is it that I have no hesitation in saying that it shall occupy a prominent place in the history of Presbyterianism in Canterbury. Eor several years, as is known to us all, the blue banner of Presbyterianism was upheld by two congregations in Christchurch. Recently other two causes were started in the suburbs of the city, and though great success has attended both movements neither of the newly formed congregations has a church in which to assemble for worship. To-day the Presbyterians of Sydenham have taken a step to have the want in their case supplied. There is now tho near prospect of the erection of an edifice which will add greatly to the beauty of this flourishing neighbourhood, and which will largely promote the interests of tho congregation that has been formed here. It will give them a habitation and a name that will secure a prosperity that shall bo greater even than that which they have enjoyed in the past. The success which has attended this movement has been both remarkable and gratifying. It is but a short time since a few individuals commenced with trembling hearts religious services in the district. Some thought that the attempt was premature, and that the results would not justify the responsibility, and yet to-day we have been called together to lay the foundation of a handsome and costly edifice. Though this prosperity has been from the first to the present hour gradually increasing, there are two periods in the history of the congregation that have given a groat and permanent impetus to its advancement —the one, the temporary ministry of the Rev. Mr Ferguson, and the other the permanent ministry of the Bov. Mr Cairns. The services of Mr Ferguson were so appreciated that there was established among the people a union or consolidation that did not exist before, and which was of tho greatest importance ; and on the structure thus raised Mr Cairns has continued to build, and that with an acceptance and a success that are a cause of happiness to us all. That the past in its brightness may be but the dawn of a long day of sunshine for the congregation is tho earnest and confident wish of all our hearts. But on account of tho proceedings of this day not only are those conneoted with the congregation to bo congratulated, but the whole community of Sydenham, yea, I may say of Christchurch. There are some occasions on which the barriers of denominationaliam may well for a time bo broken down or set aside —occasions on which the various branches of tho Christian Church may rejoice at each other’s success, and at the advancement of their common Christianity. And th« erection of an edifice for tho worship of God may well be one of these occasions. Far be it from us to utter a word against any of the associations or societies that are established for good in civilised lands. All have their place and their power—all are tributaries to that mighty stream of advancement and elevation that is rolling over tho world ; but before them all and above them all wo place the various congregations of tho Christian Church. From these there goes forth from week to week an influence with which even for time, nothing from any other source is to be named. What, for instance, has made Britain what she is ? Many things ; but the chief, without doubt, is tho fear of God —tho influence of Christianity. Britain, with all her faults, has acknowledged God. She has given honor to Jehovah, and Jehovah has given honor to her. So may it be; wo trust so shall it bo with this "country. There are various kinds of stones we may place in tho foundation of this colony as a nation ; but tho chief is tho service or tho fear of God. Let that characterise all our dealings with one another ; let tnafc give complexion to all our institutions ; let that bo put into the foundation that is being laid for the future. Without that the nation will be but a puny structure after all, and sooner or later must decay, but with that it shall bo a solid permanent fabric—a fabric on which the light of heaven shall shine, and in which the God of heaven shall dwell. It is that fear of God, so essential to a country’s real prosperity, that congregations seek to establish in a community. The commencement of a congregation, therefore, or the erection of a building in which it may assemble, is an event of transcendent importance —an event with which a whole community has to do, and in which all may rejoice. On this account this day’s proceedings, I am sure, are regarded with interest, not only by Presbyterians but by those connected with the other branches of the Christian Church, both in Sydenham and Christchurch. In conclusion, I express the hope— a hope that is in all our hearts —that a large measure of that influence that promotes the real welfare and happiness of a community may from week to week go forth from the church which is to be erected here ; and that tho congregation assembling in it may ever occupy a prominent and honorable position among the Christian congregations of this city. The Rev. Charles Fraser also fpoke. He said ho had much pleasure in responding to the invitation asking him to say a few words Ho considered they might well congratulate themselves on the present occasion, which was one of no ordinary character. Ho then referred to the progress made’by the Church, ns shown by statistics, in proportion to the population, and tho laying of tho foundation of this new church, which they had just witnessed, was a practical evidence of the advance made in tho work of the Church. He rejoiced that Mr Anderson and other old friends were present. The Rev. Mr McKee (a visitor to Christchurch) also addressed those present, making a few remarks of a congratulatory character. The Rev. Mr Bruce (of Auckland) then made a short speech, and said he hoped he should be able to bo present at the opening of the new church. This brought tho proceedings to a close, and, after prayer, tho assemblage dispersed.