MASSIVE BUT GRACEFUL

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 174, 13 October 1927, Page 9

MASSIVE BUT GRACEFUL

ST. DAVID S NEW CHURCH OPENING CEREMONY TO-NIGHT Massive and four-square as the faith of the Covenanters, yet graceful in the lifting lines of its architecture. St. David’s new Presbyterian Church, in Khyber Pass, is an image in stone of two foundations of religion, solidarity and inspiration. This evening the opening ceremony will take place of the largest Presbyterian Church in Auckland, and one of the finest examples of architecture. The foundation stone of the building which seats 700 and will cost about £29,000, was laid on Anzac 13ay last. Built of dark red Kamo brick with facings of Oamaru stone, it slands out strikingly, the tower reaching to a height of 75 feet. The style of architecture is perpendicular modern. CENTRE OF CHURCH LIFE Designed to meet all the needs of church life, the building is in two storeys, the upper one being the church proper, and the lower one containing rooms for the use of Bible classes, and women’s organisations. There is an impressive interior, finished in brick work, and panelling. There is no dim religious light, the sunlight streaming through windows, tenderly-tinted. The southern window facing Khyber Pass bears the flaming bush which is the historic symbol of the Presbyterian Church. Many woods have been used in the building. The joists are of iron bark and the principles of the roof aro Oregon. The panelling is :*imu, the pulpit oak, and the floor jarrah. Cloak-rooms, minister’s vestry, office-bearers’ vestry, choir-room, and a strong room to keep the presbytery’s documents are provided in the buildings. In the summer the churcli will be cooled by an electric exhaus" fan and in the winter it will be warmed by gasheated air. Six church acousticons have been installed for the benefit of partially deaf people. THE FIRST CHURCH St. David’s had its beginning in 1864, when the Session of St. Andrew’s. Auckland, decided t 3 erect a preaching station at the jr nction of Khyber Pass Road and Symonds Street. The first meeting of the church proper was held on February 5, 1878, and the renovated building was re-opened in March. The need for a new building was soon felt. It was not until the second Sunday in November, 1880, however, that a new wooden structure was dedicated. It had cost about £1,200. In 1902 the church was removed to the site in Khyber Pass. The dedication of the new church will be held at 7 p.m. The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, the Right Rev. G. H. McNeur, ol Dunedin, will preside, and the other officiating ministers will be the Rev. J. A. Thomson and the Rev. D. C. Herron, minister of St. David’s. The first regular services will be held on Sunday.