THE NEW BAPTIST CHURCH

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2576, 10 July 1882, Page 3

THE NEW BAPTIST CHURCH

The opening services in connection with the above Church, were commenced yesterday morning by a prayer meeting at ten o'clock. Sermons were preached, that in the morning by the Rev. O. Dallaaton, in the afternoon by the Rov, E. Best, of Durham street, and in the evening by the Rev. J. Hinton, of Wellington, All the services were well attended. On Tuesday next a tea and public meeting will be held, when addresses will be delivered by the Rev. J. Hinton, H. Williams, R, Taylor, W. Spencer, T. Bray and O. Dallaston. The following description has been furnished ua: —The length of the church inside is 86ft 6 inches, and its width is 63ft, A portion of the floor shows an incline. The height from floor to oeiling at the lower end of the church is 29ft 6in. At the entrance there is a temporary porch of timber, 15ft. x Bft., with doors 3ft. 6in, which are covered with blue baize, the two aisles, 4ft. Bln. in width, the dado and seats are of kauri stained and varnished, the latter being fitted with elbows, comfort having been studied rather than appearance. Attached to each seat is a box for books, and also a hat rail. Seating accommodation has been provided for about 800 persons. The side seats are set square at the top of the church, but are gradually placed skew as the platform is approached. This arrangement has been followed to prevent turning on the seat. The lower platform, which contains the baptistry, is raised 18in above the floor, and is surrounded with a handsome bronzed iron baluatrading, capped with polished cedar handrail. At the rear of this is an upper platform, supported by iron columns. This is also enclosed as the lower platform, and is approached by steps on either side; The organ gallery is erected behind the clergyman’s platform. Its dimensions are 40ft x 12ft, enclosed as the platforms already described. Its area is 40ft x 12tt, Beneath the upper platform are two glass doors, leading to the vestries, which are each 19ft x 12ft. The whole of the panelling and other woodwork pertaining to the platform is grained in bird’s-eye maple. The window sashes, which are of cast-iron, are very maeeive, and filled in with frosted glass, the frosting being panelled. The upper sashes have circular heads, and hopper ventilators, AH the windows (of which there are fourteen upper and lower, six on either side, and two in front) are deeply recessed, having splayed linings. In addition to the hoppers above mentioned ; ventilation is further provided by the three sunlight and two centre ceiling ornaments being connected with a large trunk, which runs the entire length of the building, and is connected with the louvres in the roof. There is also a louvre ventilator in the organ loft. Three ways of egress are provided, viz., by the front entrance, the doors of which open outwards, and fold back entirely out of the way, and also by two doors on either side of the lower aad of the church. The walls are colored pale buff, being scored out in imitation of ashlar work. There is a deep cove running the whole width of the building, which springs from a cornice and is divided into bays by a band. The base is supported by paterte and foliage, which acts as trusses. _ Artificial light is obtained by three large sunlights, each containing thirty-one gas burners. The porch is of Grecian design, and covers the whole width of the building, and is 40ft from grouud line to pediment. It is constructed of Oamaru stone, and is approached by a wide flight of six steps of blue stone, the base being also of bine stone and massive concrete foundations. The pedestals are eight in number—two double and six einglo. Four of these have raised panels. The columns, which have moulded bases and lonic capitals, are 14ft 6in in the shaft; the four centre columns are fluted to about one third of their length. There are ten columns in all, which are alternately square and round, and serve to support the lintel, which carries a deep ashlar course and a massive cornice. Above the cornice on either side of the pediment is placed a balustrade that conceals the lead flat covering the porch. The pediment cornice in dnutated, bearing a carved ribbon on its panel with the date 1881 and a Bible, inscribed Baptist Church, &o. The walls of the porch aro tuck pointed in Flemish bond, and have two string courses of white stone, one of which intersects the head of the doorway, meeting in a carved keystone. Between several of the pedestals are massive iron guard bars. The floor of tho porch is laid with black and rod tiles. The side walla of the building are of brick, tuck pointed in old English bond, with dressings of white stone, and u cornice in keeping with that in the porch is continued ; above the circular stono heads to the lateral windows are seen gauged brick arches. The roof is of iron, painted with oxide of iron paint. Mr B. J. Sanders was the architect, Mr J. MoHale tho contractor, and Mr G. Bensley clerk of works for the oommiteee. The total cost is £3500.