TOWN HALL TO CHURCH

Hokitika Guardian, 13 January 1932, Page 2

TOWN HALL TO CHURCH

ISLAND BAY BUILDING. WORK BY ROMAN CATHOLICS Extensive structural alterations to the interior of the old Island Bay Town Hall in Humlier Strut, effected during the past tour months, have placed tiie Catholics of lsia..d Buy in possession of a new church called ‘‘The Church of the Holy Name of Jesus.”

Built in 1909, by the late Mr R. Keene, to serve the purpose of a town hall for the ditriet, the building was opened in December of that year by the then Mayor of Welington, the late Mr T. W. Flislop.

Ten years ago the late Venerable Archdeacon Devoy, S.M. who was tiie parish priest of Island Bay, purchased the hall with the intention of making it into a church. He also bought the land at the back, and this was later made into two tennis courts for the Saint Francis Tennis ClubThe fulfilment of the late Archdeacon’s wishes was commenced in July of last year, when Archbishop O’Siiea approved of the request of the parish priest, the Rev, Father Moloney, S.M.3 to proceed with the necessary alterations for the new church. The opening of the new church on November 15 was marked by a weekly mission for the men of the parish, preached by the Redemptonst 1‘ a tilers.

The Rev. Father Collins, C.S.S.R., in his opening remarks congratulated the congregation on their now church, it was he said, gratifying to learn that the whole of the structural alterations had been carried out voluntarily. This in itself had necessitated a number of men devoting most of their spare time to this work for three months.

The first presentation to the new church was that of a statue ol the Blessed Virgin, 6ft. Gin. in height, given by the Italians of Island Bay. A similar statue of the Sacred Heart of .Jesus was later presented by the children of the parish. Several private donations to make up the amount required were readily forthcoming.

A set of Sanctuary Chimes was presented by the Island Bay branch ol the Hibernian Society. '

On Sunday, Nevember29, fifty children were confirmed in the new church by Archbishop O’Shea. Before Confirmation the Archbishop blessed the Statue of the Blessed Virgin.

Christmas Eve saw the new church packed for the celebrations of “Midnight Maks.” Thin High Mass was siliig by the Rev Father MoloHey. The clidir was assisted by Mrs Casserly (MiiSk Teresa McEnroe) in tiie singing of tile Mass of St Joint the Baptist anti the Adeste Fidelcs. ■Services are still being held In both the old and the new churches,