ST. PETER'S PRESBYTERIAN. CHURCH, ASHBOURNE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2431, 20 January 1882, Page 3

ST. PETER'S PRESBYTERIAN. CHURCH, ASHBOURNE.

This churcb, which is built on ground given by Captain Sproule, of Lyttelton, will be opened on Sunday next. A preliminary notice of the church was given at the time that the foundation stone was laid, but a short description of it is due now that the work is oompleted. The body of the ohuroh is lofty, with an open roof of some 40ft pitch, the principals being supported by carved corbels representing bunches of grapes. The part to be used by the congregation measures 50ft by 30ft, and at the south-west end there is a large foliated window, with figured quarries and stained glass borders, while at the same end there are two smaller windows with different designs. On the two sides of the building there are nine smaller windows, with ordinary lead lights. The ventilation has been well attended to, there being a row of ventilators just above the eaves, and also a olever arrangement of ventilators in the roof. The entranoe is from the west, two outer doors leading to an inner one which is closed by patent closing folding doors. The commodious vestry is at the other end. The seats are comfortable and well constructed. There is a very handsome rostrum of kauri, with turned pillars, bases, and oarved caps. The tower is 84ft high, with a bell tower, louvres, label mouldings, brackets and trefoil perforation. The bell, which is a very good one, is from the foundry of Mr Anderson. The whole building stands on concrete foundations, and the steps into the ohurch are also of ooncrete. The whole edifice is Gothic in design, and reflects great credit on the architect, Mr Widdowsnn, as its construction does on the contractor, Mr J. Ferguson, of Sydenham. A meeting of the congregation was held last evening to receive a statement of accounts in connection with the new building and the report of the auditors ; the Bev. S. Slooombe in the ohair. Besolutions of a business and complimentary nature were passed, and an encouraging account given of the birlding movement. It was shown that in addition to the general subscriptions towards the church and manse fund, the following contributions had been made:—The pulpit had been arranged for by the Bev. S. Slooombe ; the pulpit Bible by Mrs A. Pavitt; a handsome silk gown for the minister by Mrs Baynes and other ladies ; a Sunday-school library to the value of about £3O had been collected for by Mr B. Baynes ; the plans for and supervision of the manse had been made free of cost by a member of the oommittee; and other items of value had been provided gratis.