All Saints' Church.

Manawatu Herald, 18 August 1900, Page 3

All Saints' Church.

On Thursday night a service was held at 7.30 to celebrate the re-open-ing of All Saints' Church, on the completion of the contract for its enlargement. The Church is without doubt now one of the nicest on the coast between "Wellington and Wanganui, and has become, to the parishioners, " our church " in every right sense and feeling, a fact which must tend to the advancement of true religion. The additions to the church consists of the space for the choir stalls and organ, measuring 27 feet by 18 feet, and the Sanctuary measuring 18 feet by 10 feet. The plans were prepared by the well-known ecclesiastical architects, Messrs Clere and Atkins, and the contract has been most faithfully carried out by Mr Thophilus Easton^at a price a little over £160, which amount included seating and screen.

The visiting clergy were the Yen. Archdeacon Towgood, and the Eevs. Wilson from Palmerston, McNickle from Levin, and Hone Ten te Paerata. The Yen. Arch-deacon preached an eloquent and impressive sermon from the 4th chapter of St. Paul's epistle to the Phillipians. The service was fully choral, and Mr England presided at the organ, assisted by the following instrumenta'ists : — Mr Betty, euphonium and cornet ; Mr Ennis, cornet ; Mr C. Austin, first violin ; Miss L. Austin and Mrs G. Nye, second violins ; and Mr Hears' ey, viola.

The part 3 for the orchestra were arranged by Mr Kearsley.

It was satisfactory to notice that no attempt had been made to spoil the effect of the church by decorations, there being only two vases of Arum lillies at the foot of the screen, and a couple of palms, in pots, where the altar rails will be.

The Sanctuary was covered with a dark green felt, and the altar with a richly worked red and gold cloth, the hangings on the wall being of heavy made art work. A handsome carpet reaehel from the Sanctuary to the entrance in the Screen, and a new linoleum covered the aisle in the old portion of the building. During the service the Vicar mentioned that the building itself was opened free of debt, money and gifts having reached, since November, to £200. The gifts were detailed, but the donors names were withheld, which we are now able to supply. The offertory would be devoted towards paying off a sum of about £20 still due for certain items.

The service was attended by fully 160 persons, all the seats being filled, and this though the night was dark and wet interfering with the attendance of many who had desired to be ggesent. A feature of the service

was the large attendance of the family and relations of the late Mr Francis Robinson, who was always a strong supporter of this church and to whoso memory tho new east window had been given.

On Friday morning -Holy Communion was administered by the Venerable Arch-deacon Twogood, and despite the early hour for the service, 7.15 a.m., at least 60 were present.

The visiting clergy and choir were afterwards entertained at breakfast in the Sunday Schoolroom and the clergy left by the morning train. We are glad to learn that the Arch-deacon, who had not visited Foxton for the past 25 years, was very pleased with the church and with the attendance at the services.

The offertories on Thursday night and Friday morning amounted to £9.

The church becomes, in a way, a practical proof of the power a Vicar possesses over his flock, .who by the exhibition of love for his church, and energy in his duties, succeeds in creating & like feeling in his congregation. That the Rev. Mr Leacb has won the esteem and respect of his parishioners is without doubt, and the congregation of All Saints appear now to be thoroughly aroused in their interest in their church and work. Having a suitable building for public worship the congregation must remember the words of their Vicar when he urged them to see that they attended regularly.

THE GIFTS

Mrs Robinson, the widow of the late F. Robinson, presented the East Window of stained glass, which has been exceedingly well executed by Mr Martin of Wellington. The centre light has a figure of Our Saviour carrying a lamb, with the I.H.S. combined over, and the Cup, below ; the two side lights having a suitable text on handsome scrolls. That the window is in memory of the late Francis Robinson is mentioned at the foot of the centre light. All who have seen the window are very much pleased with it. Two handsomely carved Chancel Chairs are the gifts of Mr and Mrs A. S. Easton.

The Chancel Screen has been given by Mr and Mrs Thynne in memory of their late son, Walter Herbert.

The Altar c oth, brass vases, and lectern hangings are gifts from the friends of the Vicar, in England.

The Sanctuary hangings, brass rods, chancel felting and carpet were given by the Vicar and Mrs Leach.

The brass cross on the table was the gift of Mesuames England and Walter Eobinson.

The linoleum was the gift of several parishioners and Mrs A. S. Easjton.

Three choir stalls were given, one by Mrs Arthur fetansell, one by Mr George Coley, and one by Messrs J. and W. Howan.

Banners for the Sunday School were painted and given by Miss Banner.

Mr S. Wilson gave a long iron rod for hanging lamp.

The lillies at the service were thoughtfully given by Mrs Andrew Whyte of Tokomaru.