THE CHURCH AT THE BEACH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 931, 15 December 1910, Page 3

THE CHURCH AT THE BEACH.

OPENING SERVICES. The opening services in connection with the Methodist Church at the Beach were held last Sunday afternoon and evening. The Rev. P. W, Jones, of Feilding, was the officiating minister at both services and delivered practical, instructive, and inspiring discourses to fair and appreciative audiences. A special feature of the services was the hearty singing by the congregation. Mr G. H. Stiles presided at th organ and a number of local Methodists assisted at the latter portion of the services.

Ou Tuesday evening a concert was held in connection with the above when a number of Foxtonians provided the programme. After an opening hymn had been sung a prayer was offered by Mr McKenzie. The Rev. P; J. Mairs, in introducing the chairman, Mr G. H. Stiles, Mayor of Foxton, referred to the fitness of the Mayor to occupy the position he was about to fill, not only from the stand-point of experience, but for the reason of the interest and sympathy he had displayed in all movements for the good of humanity. An evidence of this was seen in the building in which they were then assembled, the entire cost of which was borne by Mr and Mrs Stiles. The gift was spontaneous and unsolicited. His only hope was that it would fully serve the purpose for which it had been erected. Mr Stiles, who received an enthusiastic welcome on taking the chair, in a pleasant speech referred to the pleasure it had afforded him in providing the funds for the erection of the building, and assured those present that it needed no “ screwing ” to draw out the gift. It gave both himself and Mrs Stiles as much joy to give as he felt it did those interested to receive it. His only hope was that the people who made the Foxton Beach their place of resort during the holiday season would show their appreciation of the building by attending Divine service as often as the church was open for that purpose. He was also pleased to state that the church would be at the disposal of all ministers of religion who desired to conduct services.

The Chairman then called upon the Rev. G. K. Aitken (Presbyterian), for a speech. In his remarks Mr Aitken eulogised Mr and Mrs Stiles for the spirit of generosity which prompted so noble and spontaneous a gift, also the unsectarian spirit of the gift, and pointed out that it was another evidence of the growing spirit of unity. On behalf of the church which he represented it would be a pleasure for him to hold services in the church in conjunction with the Methclists, with the hope that the services would be appreciated by those who make this place their pleasure resort.

The following programme was afterwards submitted: —Solo, Mr J. C. Chrystall, “ The Lighthouse Tower ” ; Miss D. Signall, “ Why Must we say Good-bye” ; Anthem by the Choir, “How Beautiful upon the Mountains”; Mr A, Rimmer, “ The Last Muster ” ; Anthem by the Choir, “Thou will Keep Him in Perfect Peace ” ; solo Mrs Wrigley, “ Consider the Lilies’’ ; Mrs Swannel, “O Dry Those Tears” ; Mr McKenzie, “The Stowaway.” All the above items were well and feelingly rendered and much appreciated. Miss Jenks accompanied each item.

DESCRIPTION OF building

The building is 30ft. x 21ft., with a floor that stands a suitable height above the ground. The studs are 12ft. in the clear, built with a gable roof which stands 11ft. above the top plate of the building. The walls are all lined with t and g lining and the inside of the roof covered with 6 x r t and g lining. The rafters and collar ties are all dressed, and all the woodwork inside the building is oiled and stained, which gives the interior a very pleasant appearance. There are nine windows, which are all filled with imperial figured glass vvjth a top pane of coloured glass and are made to open with a casement stave by the use of a cord. There is also joined on to the church a neat porch with a door on either side which can be opened and shut according to weather conditions. The porch is fitted with a gothic window in the end which corresponds with the high gable roof and is fitted with coloured glass. The entrance to the church is through a pair of doors covered with green baize and are fitted with springs so that they may be kept closed. The seats have reversible backs and are movable, so that for sociable purposes the church can be made more cenvenient. The rostrum is of semi-circular design and stands two feet off the floor and the size of same is Bft, x sft.. finished with a neat hand-rail on top with neat ballisters, with two heavy newel posts at each end. In the centre is a 2ft. x 2ft. reading desk. The rostrum wil be neatly finished and is the gift of the contractor, Mr A. Speirs. The chairs for rostrum and organ are the gift of Mrs M. H. Walker. The work, which is just about completed, has been well and faithfully carried out and has given entire satisfaction to all concerned.