ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, RANGIORA.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2658, 13 October 1882, Page 3

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, RANGIORA.

The conseoration of the newly built ohuroh for the parish of Bangiora took plaoe yesterday, under most favorable oircumstances. The building, whioh for so long a time has been used by the Episcopalians of Bangiora, has now been superseded by the really handsome and imposing etruetnre whioh was yesterday consecrated for divine service. Some six years ago it was deoided to erect a new building on the site of the old church, and as funds would not allow of the whole of the accepted design being carried oat, it was thought advisable to first build the eastern portion of it, and leave the western half for a future time. The ohanoel and north and south transepts were built at that time, and some six months ago the work of erecting the nave, aisles, and western transepts was commenced. We have now to chroniole the completion of the work, and must congratulate the Episcopalians of Bangiora upon the possession of such a substantial and at the same time imposing building. The portion of the building just completed is 44ft ia length by 46ft in width, and embraoos the nave, aisles, and a transept, and is eight feet longer than the former building. The foundation is of Portland cement oonorete, two feet thiok, and the walls are of oonorete and wood, the former rising to a height of five feet on the north and south sides, and ten feet on the weßt, and is supported by one buttress on each side. The corners of the building are finished with Btone quoins of Oamaru stone, which greatly add to the appearance of the churoh. The north elevation has a gablo, and two gothio dormer windows in the roof, the latter with three lights and the former with two long windows. There are also three double windows in the aisles. A porch over the north entranoe, 10ft by 6ft, with sloping roof, gives access to that portion of the building. The western front has also a gable, in which is a double window with long lights and a door without a poroh. The south elevation is similar to the northern, and the poroh belonging to the old building has been placed over the entranoe. Over each doorway ventilators have been placed, consisting of swinging doors, two over eaoh entranoe. There are also ventilators in all the gables and over all the windows of internal sliding doors, with louvre boards outside, covered with email wire netting. The roof is open, and is of great strength. It is supported by six 12in by 12in chamfered pillars, with ourved principals, strongly bolted to the ties, resting on substantial corbel 3. It is covered with diagonal boarding of red pine, shingled with Y.D.L. shingles, and finished with cover boards, barge, saddle, and crest boards, and orosees over each gablo. The windows ore glazed with Chance's rolled cathedral glass of two tints of greon, set in antique fret lead. The gutters and valleys aro of strongest zinc The interior of the walls above the conorete are plastered and finished wth wood fillets. The entrances are fitted with doublo swing doors, with cross rails and diagonal boarding, and have a plate glass panel in eaoh leaf 12:n by 12in. The floor is oi Gin by lin rimu, but the majority of the limber used in the construction of the building is red and black pino. The work haß been satisfactorily carried out by Messrs Pollock and Thompson, of Bangiora, Mr B. W. Monntfort, of Ohristohuroh, being the arohiteot. The oontraot prioa for the portion just finished was £7OO, tho total cost of the new ohurch amounting to about £I7OO. It will no doubt bo found to meet the requirements of Bangiora for some time to oome, being capable of seating 500 persons, and is a oredit to the town and to the energy of the Arohdeaoon and those who have assisted him in carrying it out. The consecration took place yeaiorday morning. At eleven o'clock the Ven. Archdeaoon Dudley, accompanied by the Bc-vs. Gossett, Wright, Gould, Flavell, Mutu, Wyatt, Gilbert, Bobinson and Sheldon, and Messrs Leeoh and 0. E. Tribe (churchwardens), met the Bishop at the western door. The Arohdeaoon read the petition requacting his Lordship to consecrate the building, and he having expressed his willingr.eis to do so, a prooession, consisting of the clergymen named, and headed by the Bishop, murohed into the ohanoel, where the conseorai.ion servioe was conducted. At the conclusion of this Hymn 215 A. and M. was sung, after which the usual morning service was conduoted, the Bev. C. H. Gosaett reading tho prayers, tho Eav. T. Flavell first lesoou, and the Rev. H. G. Gould the second. Jnoktou'a Te Deum in F was sung by the ohoir. The special psalms for consecration eeivioe were nicely chanted, also the "Vtaiite" and "Jubilate"; the Kyria was Farmer's, in B flat,

A very impressive cprmon was preached by the Primate from the 2nd ohap.of Eaggai and the 91 verio, " The glory of this later house shall be greater than the former saith the Lard of Hosts."

The collection, which is for the building tend, amounted to £ls. I he Primste assisted by Archdeacon Dudley aud the Rev. T. Flavell administered the communion to a good cumber at the co-clu-ai.zi of mori:iEg service. Evening service was held at 7.30 o'clock, when there was a large congregation. King's Nunc Dimittiß, and the anthem " From the rising of the sun," were nioely rendered by the choir. The Rov. A. Cecil Wright preached the sormon. A good collection was taken up at the close, Mr C. B. Tribe aoted as organist in a very efficient manner at both services, Mr L. Huanibell conducting the singing.