DEDICATION OF NEW SUBURBAN CHURCH

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 201, 14 November 1927, Page 14

DEDICATION OF NEW SUBURBAN CHURCH

ST. THOMAS’S, NEW LYNN Yesterday was a red-letter day in the history of New Lynn, when the new church of St. Thomas by Archbishop Averill. A congregation which overflowed into the porches took reverent part in the dedication service. “We realise that the transition age in church building has passed,” said the Archbishop in his address. “The time has come for the building of more permanent houses for God. There is a miserable idea in the minds of some people that anything will do for God and religion. The poorest and cheapest appear to satisfy them, and it is nohting more or less than utilitarianism. Surely the constraining motive in the building of churches should be the honour of glory of God.” A warm tribute to the members of the church who had been largely responsible for the financing of the building was paid by the Primate. The occasion was one on which they should remember those whose foresight had inspired the erection of a permanent church. Among the most ardent workers had been the present vicar, the Rev. H. R. Jecks, to whom the whole parish owed a debt of deep gratitude. The new church, which is Gothic in design, is one of the most striking Anglican churches in the suburbs. A low bell-tower surmounts the tiled roof. On the south-west corner is the main porch below the belfry. The interior is simple and impressive. In the nave, which is 54ft by 24ft. grey cement has been used to window-sill height, and the remainder of the walls is of white plaster. Electric light has been installed throughout, invisible floodlights being used to good effect above the chancel. Members of the church donated the furniture for the chancel, as well as the pulpit and the bell. The contractor was Mr. R. A. Jeffery, of New Lynn, his price being £1,875.