ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH

Hokitika Guardian, 3 April 1920, Page 4

ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH

REBUILDING SCHEME,

The rebuilding of All Saints’ Church as a War Memorial will be taking definite shape very shortly. The provisional plans are now before the committee of the local Church, and the suggestions in respect to same will go to the architect very shortly, when the working plans will bo prepared in detail, and tenders called for the erection of the first section of the new Church.

j The design for the edifice is a striking one. The new building will ne erected on the north-cast corner of the Church of ‘England reserve. The entrance to the Church will be from Stafford Street. The building will range east and west, the east end being adjacent to Benley Street, and in addition to the sanctuary, will include also tho chancel, vestry and organ chamber, j This is the portion of the new building which is to be undertaken first. To make the room necessary for the site I for the new- building, the present All Siants’ Sunday School building will require to bo moved to the south, and will then abut the present rear entrance to the existing Church. The school building will be moved first and will be used as a temporary place of worship, pending the erection of the first portion of the new Church. The new Church is to bo of stone, and when completed in will have a very ornate appearance and add greatly to the architectural attractions of the town. It will be erected in three sections. Tho first section has been referred to already. When that portion -s built the nave from the existing wooden Church, it is proposed will be moved across, and be a temporary nave for the new Church till the funds are available to go on with the erection of the permanent nave in stone. Probably tho congregation—and the townspeople generally for the matter of that—-when they realise what a handsome building is to he added to the town’s possessions, will he inclined to take a shorter cut, and providing adi.tion.al funds, permit the erection of the nave to proceed simultaneously with the cast end. The saving to be made by avoiding temporary arrangements, and looking only to permanent work will be considerable, and the advantage is sufficient to induce liberal gifts being made to help the work along more rapidly, and at a considerable saving in the total ultimate cost.

The third section of the new Church is the tower. It is designed on fine propoi'tions and will be a landmark in the town. It will have a total height of 32 feet 6 inches. It is of a solid square design, and seems to be admiraly proportioned in keeping with tuc sllilpe and size of the main building, fill this very fine addition is reared Lite new Church will look far from completed, and there will he ai keen desire we are sure, by Church people and the public at large to see the structure fully completed to the permanent adornment >f the town.

The new Church is designed to have a seating accommodation for about 350, but the plans will provide for two transepts or cress-aisles at right angles to this nave, which will give additional accommodation as the population of the town increases. The main entrance will be from the west, where the tower will be situated. There will be a broad central aisle, and each seat on both sides will accommodate seven adults. The east end will contain an ornate sanctuary and a three-light window, which will be designed specially for the Church. The organ chamber will be on the right side, and the vestry on the left, The chancel will thus be centred as at present. The lectern or reading desk will be on the right, and the pulpit on the left side. The baptistry will be at the west end, south corner. The first vestry to be erected will be used eventually for the clergy. With the building of the nave—the second sectiou—a choir vestry is be included, and the procession into Church will lie from the north side. The tower will contain the belfry, and the approach to tho Church will be up a stonewav of several steps. The nave, it is proposed to light with several ornamental side windows, while at the west end there will he a-five-light window. The name of the new Church, and the purpose and circumstances under which it will be raised will be inscribed on stone, at the outside east end of the building. Provision will be made for heating the Church artificially in cold weather, and for adequate light at night. From the foregoing It will be seen that the Vicar and Church Committee purpose carrying out a very worthy design. The first expenditure will run into not less than £2OOO, and it will not be a surprise to find efforts being made to double this sum, and so carry on the building of the nave without losing time, and with the saving if tho cost of moving and using portion of the present wooden building for some time. As soon as the plans are finally approved—within the next few days—they will be returned to the architect with instructions to prepare the working plans and (-all for tenders. As soon as a suitable sketch plan of the building is available copies of same will be struck off and the information made available for the public. When this is distributed, and an idea can bo formed of the generally impressive design of the new building, there will be the desire and tho effort, we are sure, to see the funds provided quickly to place the new edifice in position for the adornment of the town, and for the special use and service to which it s to bo devoted in the interests of the whole community.