CHURCH PLATE

Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1930, Page 7

CHURCH PLATE

GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S GIFT. AUCKLAND, Nov. 26. Tlie generosity of Lord and Lady Bledisloe is reflected in their magnificent gift of church plate to St. Matthew’s Church, Auckland. The gift consists of a silver chalice and paten, and is intended to perpetuate the ideal of the re union of Christian churches. The chalice bears the following inscription “To the Glory of God and in humble appreciation of the movement in Auckland toward the re-union of the Christian Churches, Whitsuntide, 1930.” The names of the donors, “Charles and Eileen Bledisloe,” are engraved on the apposite side. Last June the religious denominations of Auckland, with the exception of the Roman Catholic Church, united in ia series of services to celebrate the 1900th anniversary of the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Lord and Lady Bledisloe attended St Mathew's at the culmination of the week for the celebration of Holy Communion, and it was then that th Q thought of the gift occurred. His Excellency noted that, owing to the large number of communicants, it was necessary to replenish the chalice and. consecrate the eon afresh. The need of the church for larger vessels was very aooorent., so. with the consent of Lady Bledisloe, the Governor sent an order to P’o Artificers’ Guild of London requesting them to supplv a chalice and Paten of ibeaten silver la roc enough for the requirements of 250 communicants.