CONSECRATION OF ST. MARY'S CHURCH INVERCARGILL.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 74, 18 November 1864, Page 3

CONSECRATION OF ST. MARY'S CHURCH INVERCARGILL.

The recently erected church, in Clyde-street, for the use of the Roman Catholic congregation, was consecrated on Sabbath last by the Right Key. Dr. Viard, Bishop of Wellington. He was assisted by the Vicar- Greneral, the Very Rev. J. J. P. O'Eeilly. and the Rev. Father Martin. At half-past 10 O'clock, the hour appointed for the opening, the edifice "was tilled, in every part with a large and respectable audience, comprising many of the members of the other churches in town. The Bishop, attired in his robes, then approached the altar and delivered the opening address. He complimented the Roman Catholics of Invercaigill on the perseverance they had displayed under difficulties of no ordinary nature in the erection .of a place of worship; and said that being fully acquainted with their lOYC to Mm, and to the church, he.he.d come amongst them to confirm and strengthen them in their holy work. He concluded Ms very earnest and impressive address ! by recommending them ever to seek after the "Peace of God," which only could ensure happiness in this' life and also in that which is to come. The address the Bishop,, preceded by acolytes bearing'the cross /and tapers, now marched outside the building followed ; by the clergy and a • number .of the "headers. ' Having assumed his mitre and erozier, he turned to the cross, repeating ; the prays}* 1 " Prevent;' we beseech /Thee, O Lord." '■■■'■ The anthem : we JJomine" .was .then intoned, after which came the. 50th -psalm, " Miserere mci Dens." during _ which the ceremony" of proceeding ' round the building, and . sprinkling, the walls with holy water, '- was performed. On re-entering the church the Litany of the Saints was chanted at the altar by the Bishop andiM Rev; FatherMartm. ' The' " Asperges V was afterwards taken up by "the choir < and rendered with very fine effect. High mass was then celebrated, the i Bishop assuming the appropriate robes, ahd ; the r "Kyrie Eleisbli" being sung by the choir with much 'skill and taste of execution. This finished,: the -Bishop proceeded with the massi after whichf the Werj Key.. J. 3. JP. o'Heilly, W&-> preached a.dispourse from the seventh chap.qfjSt;" John's gOßp^i Ter.l-10,;;tb>hich the audience listeneiiwith devput attention; The " Qseqo' \?M thenperforme^i a,ftet',%hich M$ "Beriedicciju«i," s^wive U^^is? fe^^ifg 1 ft?V^T^ Qippleßt^ae' ?f^l^%ife^ C^fti^t: ; . ; i;^- ■■'." ■■.; ■'■■'[ :A T '-:. '^'-: I u"-:'" ; ( : :

|um|y of^^ all^tKosS'wliorhad "contributed' 'towards the^ fereotibn of ithe : -church: „ Ho desired to mention^particularly., the ., name of Mr. Davies! ■ \r]io| although.- belonging -to . another church.,' had given most liberally - towards the" erection of the building; and He: would- likewise, desire : to mention amongst their own members the name .of. Mr. Murray, to whom they were muck indebted forhis perseverance and exertions in their cause. ; , . Confirmation was now administered to nine or ten per sons, by the Bishop. ■ ■ p \ The altar on . this occasion was adorned with beautiful fases^of wallflowers, and -tapers -as usual were burning during the whole service : , The building (of which, we gave a sketch some time ago) is .very : chaste, and eveni.unique in 1% interior appearance, jand is seated fpr about 250 ' persons. The sanctuary, which is approached through- a hanflsomß dividing rail, presents a very neat appearance." Tho altar is of the Doric style, f •with fluted columns in front,, and : a; dome ..tit the back, before and behind which are crosses. ; ..The. ■whole-is 1 painted white and gold, which. presents, an agreeable" and rich contrast to the dark ultramarine background of the sanctuary. ..... Mr. Livingstone presided at tho harmonium, and performed the .beautiful music selected; for, the; occasion very ably and with fine effect. The choir, too, were very effective in their rendering of .them. The parts selected were principally from Mozart's First Mass in. Q: ' .' " ■ -Afc, ! half-past- sir o'clock, fLe .ehm-cli ,was. again, I filled with a respectable audience, to hear vespers. A discourse was delivered. by the Vicar- General.