St John's Church.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 140, 13 May 1884, Page 2

St John's Church.

In the Post's report of the fire the following occurs : —Attention was now directed to the elegant spire of the church, rising to a height of 110 ft from the footpath, which threatened every moment to fall. As the flames travelled up the spire, winding round till it was enveloped m a halo of fire, which almost hid it from view, there was a sudden crack. This was due ft* ' the bursting of the bell, which for many years has served to summon worshippers to the church, a large sweet-toned bell that was imported 1 from Scotland a considerable number - of years ago. Presently a cry went among the crowd of spectators — by this time numbering between 2000 and 30* 0 people — that the spire was about to fall, and within a few seconds it came down with a terrific crash landing m Dixonstreet, alongside the church, and splashing the „ charred embers into the sky on every * side as if an explosion had taken place. Luckily, owiug to the timely warning that had been given, nobodywas burnt, but tho excessive heat hud the effect of driving tho crovrd further back. The bottle deposited m the foundation stone has been handed by Superintendent Whueford, of the Fire Brigade, to Mr Fraser, a member of the Church Committee, together with the toundation-plate, manufactured m copper. On beinp opened the bottle, . was found to contain a copy of the Evening Post, ditetl 28th June, 1875; the Tribune, of the same date ; and, ' the New Zealand Times of the 29th. It also contained copies of the annual reports of St. John's Church for 1873 -; and 1874, and some coins of the>.. realm, including half-crown, florin, shilling, sixpence, threepence, penny, and halfpenny. The coins were some* what tarnished, and the newspapers were m a damp condition. A few words relating to the history of St. John's Church may be of interest. The church was built of wood ia the classic style, "and covered a con«,\ siderable area. The foundation stone " was laid hy the Marquis of Nbrmanhy, then Governor of the Colony, on the 29th of June, 1875. The architect was Mr Thomas Turnbull, and the contractors were Messrs Murdoch and Rose, and the Church, with its hand* some front, was one of tho largest and most commodious places of worship ia the city. Including the additions to the old schoolroom, the Church coat altogether about £5000; and there. still remains a debt on, it amounting £1800, which was being gradually reduced, as much as £700 having been paid off the sum during the past year. The Rev. James Paterson haa been the minister of the Presbyterian . congregation here since 1868. Among the contents of the des-» troyed building weie several sewing machines and other articles belonging to the Dorcas Society, and two very line libraries, the property of the Young Men's Literary Association und the Sunday School respectively. It is probable the church will berebuilt al once.