Church He Built

NZ Truth, Issue 1176, 14 June 1928, Page 6

Church He Built

NO. you'd better not go by a. "Seeing Christchurch" omnibus to have a look at it. The bus whizzes by like a flash. Better take a No. 1 (Papanui) tram and ask the conductor to empty you out at Merlvale lane. You'll then be almost alongside "The church that Haggitt built." And please remember that on Sunday evenings it's generally a case of "standing room only!" The new St. Mary's Anglican church at iMerivale was fashioned and created by a band of fervent enthusiasts who were welded into a homogeneous re-sult-achieving whole by the Ven. Archdeacon Percy Haggitt. This ornate stone structure, which replaced a modest wooden sanctuary,; Is a trifle new-looking at present. Churches, like vintage wines, mellow and improve with age. But it has placed the seal ' on Archdeacon Haggitt's work and service to the community. ■.■'■*- More; it has written his name enduringly in the annals of Christchurch, just as his family's name already is in those of Dunedin. . His career encompasses three salient features. Early life and education in Dunedin; minor canon of' Christchurch Cathedral; a long and tireless ministry at Merivale. He is neither High nor Low Church. "Broad" would be a much better label. But not merely in a "churchy" sense. He typifies broadness in his. daily life and in, his outlook towards mankind's everyday problems .of ethics and conduct. , .