CHRIST CHURCH.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 305, 26 December 1877, Page 2

CHRIST CHURCH.

The first object to attract attention on entering the building at the main door was the massivQ stono font, which was surmounted by an elegant crown of HHea and evergreens, some three feet in height and about the same in diameter, from which rose a beautifully arrayed cross of white lilies, a bed of the same flowers mingled with ferns being arranged arouud the pedestal. The walls of the aisle aud transepts were festooned with laurel and yew branches, varied at intervals with exquisite bouquets of brilliant flowers Over tlm altar was placed a magnificent cross of scarlet geraniums, pointed with white lillies some six feet in height, around which was a wreath of the delicate Jycoppdium, with which, interspersed with flowers the walls of the chancel and railings of the organ chamber were also ornamented. The choir stalls were ornamented with plumes of the feathery toi toi, springing from pedestals of flowers', tfce railing being wreathed with yew, the dark hue of which contrasted pleasingly with the lighter 'aiid jcgore delicate green of the graceful lycopodium in its immediate neighborhood. Holly 'and bright liasv.ers ornamented the reading desk, the pillars exporting the tower were entwined with lilies and laurel, above which rose crosses of exquisite powers, and crossing the chancel arch was a scroll beaiyag the words " We praise Thee O God," from which, were pendent festoons of evergreens and stars of scarlet geraniums. At the end of each transept was a scroll, .one bearing the words " Unto us a Child is born," and the other, " Unto us a Son ia given," worked ;in letters of white on a dajk greeu ground, The west

end was a mas 3of floral and f rondal decorations, in the centre of which was a cross of scarlet geraniums,the whole being surmounted with scrolls bearing respectively the words " Hosauna in the Highest" and "Emmanuel, bod with us." The uprights of the gaslights were ornamented with lycopodium and flowers, and from the handsome central gaselier, presented to the church by the Bishop of Nelson, depended an artistically arranged wreath of lilies. The minutis of the decorations were too numerous todscnbe in detail, but it is sufficient to say that collectively they produced a most elegant and pleasing etfect. The service was choral, the re JDeum and Jubilate being sung to "Nares in F» The hymns were the old lavontes, " Hark the herald angels sing " and - Adeste Fideies," and the anttiem was, 1 was glad when they said unto me." ALL SAINTS' CHURCH. The decorations were very artistic, and greatly in advance of those of former years. The capitals of the pillars were dressed alternately with Nikau Palm and Tree Pern, in the form of a Prince of Wales' feather, the butts being concealed in each instance by an elegant bouquet of flowers, and the hard straight lines of the pillars were softened down bjr spirals of lycopodium. interspersed with iyy leaves. The pulpit and reading desk were adorned with white banners, on which appeared the emblem of the Christian faith in lycopodium, ivy, geraniums, and carnations, and in the case of the reading desk the whole was surrounded with holly, which gave a touch of the " Old Country " to the summer-like decorations so different from those to be seen in England at this season^ Bound the entire church, with the exception of the chancel, on a white ground with a border of green foliage, ran the whole of the appropriate Christmas text commencing with " Unto us a child is born " The portion within the altar rails bore evidence of having had great care bestowed upon it. Above the altar and immediately under the east window, upon a scarlet ground bordered with green leaves, ran the text " Behold I bring you tidings of great joy which shall be to all people," executed m green leaves, the edges of the letters being softened down by white. Above that, and on each side of the centre window were placed scarlet banners, and on a white diamond-shaped shield appeared in gold letters on one, the Alpha and Omega and on the other, the letters I. H. S. The reredos was composed of white lilies, scarlet.geraniunis, and green foliage, having for the centre a gold etosa with a wreath of white flowers round it, a smaller cross on each side, and at the base in gold letters upon a blue ground the words, " Sanctus, Sauctua, Sanctus." The font was scraped with scarlet, scalloped, and bordered with green leaves and white, upon which appeared " One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism," the whole being surmounted with a white cross spring from a bed of moss and geranium, and adorned with a wreath of scarlet and green. Various shields, devices, and other ornaments were placed about the building, but the ekefd'eeuvre was at the western end,' and having been designed to cover the coarse weather-boarding of the unfinished part of the church, it fulfilled its duty admirably, and at the same time reflected great credit upon the artistic taste of the designers : in the centre on a shield in the form of an ellipse, six feet by four, on a scarlet ground, was wrought a white cross bordered with green, in the middle of which, on a blue ground, was the sacred monogram in gold and scarlet ; around the shield was a two-foot border of lycopodiums, and round that again, on a white ground bordered with green, was the text " Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, goodwill toward men." The whole of this elaborate design was surrounded by branches of nikau palm, forming an Omega. There was scarcely sufficient toi-toi grass used, which was a pity, as from its graceful form it is peculiarly adapted to the decoration of buildings, being well calculated to destroy hard lines, and to fill up uncomfortable-looking angles. ST. MARY'S. At this church the decorations were most artistic, flowers and ferns being tastefully intermingled with texts and mottoes suitable to the season in commemoration of whichthey were displayed. On Christmas Eve there was the customary midnight Mass, which was numerously attended.