CHURCH OPENING.

Kaikoura Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 35, 24 February 1903, Page 5

CHURCH OPENING.

A NOTABLE LOCAL EVENT THE NEW ST. PETER’S. | . . *4 Reward in the shape' of. desired fruition must be especially gratifying to anyone who strenuously endeavors to further a praiseworthy object. The consummation of the Rev. Mr Livesey’s labors to secure the erection of a new church—one befitting the altered state of affairs . here and the requirements of.today —must be especially gratifying to him. The building which has re- i placed the “old St. Peter’s”? church, built nearly 30 years since, '< is an ornament to the town. ' Though work was, in a sense, ' actually begun on January 25, 1902, when the Bishop of Nelson laid the foundation stone, operations were not actively engaged in 1 . for some time afterwards, so that I it is not surprising that the work j remained uncompleted until re- !] cently. The formal opening took i place on Thursday last—Feb. 19, 1903 when services were held.

These were largely attended, the seating accommodation of the building being taxed to its utmost capacity. AJI the arrangements in connection with the event were very successfully carried out. The church stands upon substantial concrete foundations 3ft. 6in. high, thus setting it up well The total length is 54ft., and th* width 25ft. The form adopted ii that of a nave with apse, there be ing added thereto an 'organ' chamber, a spacious vestry aid a commodious porch. The heigh from floor to ridge id 34ft., ~t|e building being surmounted by sn ornate bell-turret, the hand sone cross, at the top, standing 54ft. high. The windows, doors aid arches are Gothic in design. Leullights are used for the windows,

the shade being pale yellow with ruby border. The seating acccmjnodation is, roundly, 200. Meiprf ■ England the building cannot be surpassed in the Colony for excellence of workmanship in every detail. From an exterior point of view the building presents various iittractions, the apse, however, is too short, and detracts somewhat from an otherwise handsome country church. One of the foremost attractions ot the church, and one that called forth general admiration, is the tribute paid by the congregation to the late Queen Victoria. This took the form of memorial windows placed in the apse. These are an object of special interest. They are exceedingly chaste and beautiful both in design and color. That on the Northern side represents the Good Shepherd, having at his feet an orb and crown (the initials “ V.R.” in the centre of the latter), supported by the Royal Standard and the N.Z. Ensign. On the Southern side below the representation of St. Peter are the words “ To the Glory of God and in loyal and affectionate memory of Victoria, R. & L, 1837-1901, these windows were erected by this congregation.” The interior of the sacred edifice is distinctly religious. The altar, with its appropriate fittings, has a pleasing appearance, being well raised, and rightly occupying the most prominent position tvithin The (Dossil curtain is of blue serge with handsome orphreys of brocaded plush and old gold border, against which the orna-1 ments stand out well. The curtain is the gift of members of the Sunday School. The congregation has I been presented by Mr R. Herbertson with an excellent piece of cabinet-work in the shape of an artistically constructed lectern The font, too, deserves a word of special mention in its new position This exceedingly beautiful and substantial piece of work (white marbel) was presented many years ago by Captain Ruck-Keene (formerly of Swyncom.be) in memory of his wife, who was one of the earliest and most devoted of church workers in Kaikoura. It now stands, properly mounted, on a double base, and looks seemly and

dignified, being silent witness of ifcs sacred purpose and mystical mean ing to all who enter the House iff God. & * i . The general appearance of the I interior of the new church is one lot refinement and completeness. Ufca. eval most useful and handsome gifts have been received and others have been promised which will further complete and beautify the interior. The following is a list of those who have thus specially contributed in this respect or promised to do so, viz,:— Mrs Renner, Mrs Barton, Mrs aV ood, the Misses Horner, Miss E. JLivesey, Mr and Mrs Bruce, Mr fllerbertson, Mr Pope, Ven. ArchBeacon Grace, members of' St. 1 eter’s Guild and children of the Sunday School. b&The day’s proceedings fittingly beganAXvith a celebration of Holy Communion, at 7 a.in., at which the Vicar was the celebrant assisted by the Ven. Archdeacon (Grace. There was a good attendance, one of the communicants ilgxing. it was pleasing to note, a .parishioner associated with St. for nearly 30 years past.

A service for children was held at 3 p.m., when the office for Holy Baptism was used, the Sacrament being administered by the Vicar to the infant daughter of Mr and Mrs A. E. Orange. An address i adapted to young people was af ter- | wards given by the Rev. F. J. Snee, based upon the words “This is | none other than the House of God.” j The remarks of the Vicar of Cheviot went home to the ma jority I <>f those constituting the thronged Congregation. Immediately following (at 4p.m.) jthe two memorial windows were unveiled by the Ven. Archdeacon Grace, who then delivered a Prayer dedicating them to the Glory of God ami the beautifying of His house, after which he read from St. John XXL,. 15-17—words suitable to the subject of the windows, which represent the Good Shepherd and St. Peter respectively. address was MMMMMgOkoroughly practical. ■MMWih was the key note of ‘'j- 1 ' 1 X- ’Hp/and Gracious Queen had been TfCiffed by the congregation. Before the hour had come when flie formal opening ami dedication iof the new church was to take (lace, the building was again trowded, some 250 people being present. At 7.30 p. m. the surpliced choir of twenty men and boys, [followed by the five clergy, entered fey the South door singing, as a OProcessiolnal hymn, No. 396: !' Christ is made the Sure Foundaion.” Evensong was intoned hroughout by the Vicar (the Rev. ’. E. Livesey, 8.A.), the First jesson being read by the Rev. T. Imith, of Renwiektown, and the econd by the Rev. H. H. Howell, f Havelock. The sermon was reached by the Ven. Archdeacon !race, who also said the prayer of Dedication. The text chosen by the Archdeacon was taken from st. John II —17 : “ His desciple remembered that it was written, the ’.eal of thine house hath eaten me ip.” Zeal in God’s work was the subject of the discourse with special reference to the new Church as an illustration. The zeal of our Lord, and of Apostles, Prophets, Martyrs, and others, was spoken of as an example and encouragement. The zeal and activity of the devoted Vicar of Kaikoura had been rewarded in the erection of

the beautiful Church opened that day. There had, also, been much zeal and liberality on the part of the congregation, but the zeal manifested in so practical and marked a manner must not flag. He earnestly appealed to all Church members to continue their zeal on behalf of God’s work, and not to forget that a liability still remained on the new Church, which it must be their endeavor to clear off by liberal contributions as speedily as possible. Garrett’s “Magnificat” and “Nunc Dimittis” were sung. Stainer’s anthem “ What are these” was sung by the choir during the offertory. Hymn No. 379—-“ Now thank we all our God ’’—was the recessional at the close of the service., Mrs Barton arid MT T. Hitchcock officiated as organists in an able fanner; Mrs Barton at the unveiling ceremony and the evening

service, Mr T. Hitchcock at the early celebration and the Child ren’s Service. For a Couple of hours during the afternoon a most bountiful and tempting tea was supplied by the women members of the congregation in the Church room. The patronage bestowed was considerable, .the efforts of the fair caterers being highly appreciated by all who partook of the delicacies spread. It would probably be regarded as invidious were special mention made of any who assisted to bring to a successful issue this pleasing adjunct. Quite a host seemed to be zealously engaged in carrying out the tea, all being, evidently, imbued with the one desire, namely, to deserve success., This public approbation freely accorded them- The financial results of the day were pleasing. The members of the congregation of St. Peter’s, in fact town residents generally, have a church to be proud of, and one which for its beauty, gracefulness and convenience it would be difficult to excel. With other churches of similar dimensions, that of St. Peter’s, Kaikoura, will compare most favorably, and it may fairly be claimed that, as far as we can learn, it holds first place among country churches in the Dibeese of Nelson. The possession of such a building should, therefore, inspire all to whom it belongs to be as often as possible in their places within its walls to worship and to render thanks to Him Who is the Creator and Giver of all.