LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE NEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN WILLIS-STREET.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4459, 5 July 1875, Page 6

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE NEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN WILLIS-STREET.

On Tuesday, June 29, his Excellency the Governor performed the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new Presbyterian Church in Willis-street. The event has been looked forward to with' considerable interest, and when bis Excellency, accomjranied by. the Marchioness of Normanby and party, arrived (about 3 o’clock) there was a large gathering of the principal residents of the town. Ministers of pretty well every denomination were present, and several took part in' the preliminary devotional services. His Excellency Was received by the pastor of the church, the Rev. Mr. Patei'son, and accommodated with a seat just in front of the stone, the Marchioness of Normanby being conducted to a seat inside the framework of the building, from whence a good view could be obtained, and she was surrounded by a large number of ladies, who were also accommodated with seats. Ail preparations ‘having been duly made, proceedings were commenced by the Rev Mr. West, who gave out the Old Hundred Psalm, which all present joined in singing, being led by the church choir. The Rev. Mi\ Morley then read I. Chron. 29v., and Mr. Ogg.followed with prayer. The Rev. Mr. Paterson said he would be glad if before they proceeded to the ceremony. Mr. Taylor, the treasurer, would give them some information as to the financial position t)f the church.

Mr. W. Waking Taylor complied with the request, and said it was always difficult to make financial statements interesting - , and he did not suppose he would he more successful than other people, hut he would make his statement as brief as possible'; and so that his figures might be the more readily understood, would drop all odd numbers. The contract for the new church had been let at £3200, but. in addition to this the management committee had been compelled to expend £IOO in so enlarging the schoolroom as to afford sufficient accommodation for the congregation during Ibe time the new church was in course of erection. There were also other incidental expenses, making the total expenditure to be about £3900. this amount £2200 had been already raised by the congregation, assisted by a number of friends of other denominations ; £IOO had been obtained by the sale of the old building, and a similar amount had been raised by the sale of work done by the lady members of the congregation, who had plied their needles vigorously. This made up the total receipts to £2IOO, against an anticipated expenditure of £3900. Of course, this was a rather heavy balance, and the question arose how would the committee raise the balance. He might say that for many years past the congregation had been celebrated for its liberality, and that was evidenced more particularly by the fact that they had recently raised the sum of £2200, in addition to providing for the ordinary annual expenditure. But in this they had beeu'generously helped, and hoped to be still further helped by' kind friends outside the congregation. The committee, therefore, trusted to these sources for the future, and hoped that within twelve or eighteen months they would be able to meet the congregation entirely free from debt.

The Kev. Mr. Paterson said ; Sly Lord, — It devolves upon me to request your Excellency formally to lay the foundation, stone of this new church. In doing so I may be permitted briefly to state the circumstances in which we were led to engage in this enterprise. Our former church which stood here was old and somewhat decayed, and in its accommodation, as well as in its structure,-was clearly behind the requirements of this growing city. The rapid increase of population demanded a corresponding increase of church accommodation ; and the advance of the city in architectural beauty required a building more in harmony with its surroundings. We all felt this, and therefore it was resolved to remove the old building and to erect a church with enlarged accommodation, and which in appearance and structure would be more creditable and more comfortable, and in every way more worthy the capital of the colony. As to our object in its higher bearings, I may here say that we recognise and feel the importance of having churches planted and congregations formed, and religious ordinances maintained, whence may radiate those wholesome Christian influences which are so essential to the highest wellbeing of the community. We believe that it is “ righteousness alone which exalteth a nation, and that that nation alone is truly blessed whose God is the Lord.” Therefore do.we feel it to be of the highest moment to maintain in all their efficiency the institutions of religion ; to have our young society leavened with the principles and the spirit of Christianity, and to have God honored amongst us and by us in His worship and service. Amid our varied interests and pursuits, and amid all our strivings after material prosperity, it is needful to have our thoughts raised to higher things—to have our deeper aspirations going forth toward the unseen and the eternal. It is needful to have the Gospel, with all its blessed hopes and consolations, brought prominently before our minds, and frequently and earnestly pressed home upon our , hearts. Hence the importance of maintaining the Church with all its ordinances and institutions, in full efficiency amongst us. As to our ecclesiastical connection, I may state that we belong to the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. That church holds the same doctrinal standards and has the same constitution as the Presbyterian Churches of Scotland, of America, of Australia, and of our young sister church of Otago. But we hold a separate and independent position in these islands ; and we are striving to build up—not a Scotch Church, nor a church of any other country—but to build up a Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. Many of us, both ministers and people, have come from the laud north of the Tweed, and wo still gratefully cherish the memories and associations of our former connection with the Presbyterian Churches of Scotland, and with those churches we still maintain a close fraternal intercourse, and from them we receive much sympathy and generous help.- Still, we maintain, and are anxious to maintain, a distinctive position, and to build up a thoroughly colonial church. Wo are Presbyterians ; yet we seek to cultivate tbo most friendly relationships with the other Evangelical Churches in these islands. It is becoming the religion of love and of peace which we all profess that we should dwell together in unity and friendship, and that we should heartily co-operate in the good work of our common Lord. This spirit, . I am happy to think, characterises in a very marked degree all the Christian Churches in this colony ; and as a proofs of it, wo owe . much to Christian friends outside the congregation for generous help in this undertaking. I have now to request your Excellency to do

us the honor to lay the foundation stone of oar new church ; and I may be nermitted to say, in doing so, that we rejoice to think that ®ne who occupies the highest position in the colony is in hearty sympathy with us in our Christian efforts and undertakings. I have the honor to present to your lordship this silver trowel, and this mallet, to be used on ' this occasion, and to be preserved as a slight memento of the interesting ceremony of this day. We are true, loyal, out-and-out colonists ; our church is a colonial church ; the edifice now to be erected is to be built of timber from our magnificent forests. Even those concrete blocks which form the foundation stone are manufactured here ; and this trowel, with its engraving, is the creditable workmanship of an old colonist resident in this city. His Excellency having accepted the trowel, Mr. T. McKenzie placed within the cavity in the stone the customary hermetically sealed bottle, containing a copy of the New Zealand Tijies of the 29th inst., and a copy of each of the evening papers of the previous day, together with a number of coins. In the cavity were also placed another set of coins ranging from a halfpenny upwards, presented by Mrs. Lyall, amongst which, curious to relate, was a much* prized coin—a gift from her late husband. Air. T, Tdenbcll, the architect, after reading the following inscription, which had been beautifully engraved thereon, placed a copper plate over the cavity: "This, foundation stone of St. John’s Presby. terian Church, "Wellington, in connection, with the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, was laid June 29th, 1875, by his Excellency the Most Noble the Marquis of Normanby, Governor of New Zealand, in the presence of the Rev. James Paterson, minister; elders, Messrs. John McLean, James Smith, Francis Fraser, and David Robertson ; memfaers of the committee of management, W. Waring Taylor, treasurer; Thomas McKenzie, Robert Greenfield, James Sloan, Walter S. Reid, Andrew Lang, Alexander Hopkirk, Thomas Whitehouse, David Rainie, William Smith, Alexander Muir, William Waddell, and Walter ’Turnbull. Thomas Turnbull, Esq., architect; Messrs. Murdoch and Rose, builders. Engraved by J. H. Marriott. The stone was then slowly lowered into its bed, and His Excellency, having gone through the usual ceremony of spreading a little mortar and adjustingthe huge block, declared thestone“ well and truly laid.” He then said: To e duty which, by your request, I have performed this day is one which is. most pleasing to me.. We all know that in our prosperity the -wickedness of human nature is such that it often induces us to forget the duty we owe to our Maker and the Giver of all good. But I rejoice to say that during the short progress I have as yet been able to make through New Zealand, I have derived very much pleasure from observing the large number of churches which have been either already erected, or are now in course of erection. I think it speaks-well for the moral tone of society here, and shows an appreciation of the good gifts which have been showered upon this fortunate land. For if there ever was a country :h the world which should be grateful to the Divine Being for the many blessings'bestowed upon it, this colony should. I trust this church now being erected may be the means of -drawing many to His fold, and that with othei churches in the colony it may prove to be an agency to bring up our young to be godly, loyal people, and that hereafter we may all reap the benefit of the instruction in heavenly things received on this earth.

The Rev. John Moir then engaged in prayer, a couple of verses of the 509th hymn were sung, and the benediction pronounced. His Excellency shortly afterwards left the building, beipg cheered heartily. We had almost fbrgotten to mention that the Rev. Mr. Paterson read a letter from the Superintendent of the Province, W. Eitzherhert, Esq., regretting that a previous engagement precluded him from being present. The building is being erected with all possible speed, and is to be finished in November. Its design is very ornamental, though neat and quiet, as befits its character, and standing on a fine commanding site, it will £,dd another pleasing feature to the general appearance of the city. The dimensions, of the church are large, 90ft. in length by 47ft. in width. A handsome portico will run along the front, sup« ported by four fluted columns of the Doric order,•■with pediments, &c. Above rises an open bell-tower, and above this again a spire, the extreme altitude of which will be 100 ft, The entrance to the church will be through three doors from the portico. The internal arrangements are to be very complete and conducive to comfort. The auditor.urn-proper will cover a space 70ft. by 45ft.; and the vestibule 9ft. by 26ft.; giving sitting-room for about 450 persons. The seats will be constructed after the most approved style, and arranged concentrically, the mode adopted in most churches of modern build. A gallery will be placed’ above the vestibule, capable of holding 150 persons. Thus the total sitting, room will accommodate about 600. At the western end of the church, a pulpit platform will be erected, 14ft. by Bft., raised 4ft. from the floor, and enclosed with panel work and ornamental railing. Immediately below and in front, the usual special seats and conveniences for the choir will be placed. Four windows in each side wall, ordinary ground glass, with stained glass borders, will afford light in day time, and a pair of sunlights at night. Air will be freely supplied by means of patent ventilators. At the back of the church is a suite of rooms," to which access is gained from the church through two doors, one on either side of the pulpit. A couple of anterooms occupy the first floor, and above them is the. vestry, 10£t. by 9ft. ; and another larger-room for general purposes, 20ft. by lift. Leading from these rooms, and upon the same level, is a large schoolroom 59ft. by 41ft.. This latter has been pretty well finished, and at present is used for holding Divine service in. Stout rough boards, faced with weatherboards and lined, are to be used in the building ; that plan being adopted to give the structure increased strength and durability, and power to withstand the effects of the weather. " ;