NEW CHURCH RISES

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1011, 30 June 1930, Page 14

NEW CHURCH RISES

ST. PETER’S, ONEHUNGA FOUNDATION STONE LAID ¥ " St. Peter’s, Onehunga, one of the oldest Selwyn churches, having been a house of worship for 82 years, is about to be demolished to make room for a stately brick building. The foundation stone was laid yesterday—St. Peter’s Day—by the vicar, the Rev. H. M. Smyth. A feature of the service was the part members of the Manukau Masonic Lodge, No. 24, took in the ceremony. Built in 1848, and forming one of those early ecclesiastical structures of peculiar architectural charm and beauty to be seen here and there from Te Awamutu to Russell, St. Peter’s has of late years been showing evidence of the ravages of time. St. Peter’s, Onehunga, was opened for worship in 1848, just as the isthmus was being settled by military pensioners from England, and there are still living some three or four of their descendants who, as children, saw it being built. In 1858 the building was enlarged, when the existing tower and spire were added under the supervision and according to plans prepared by Dr. Pnrchas, the first vicar, the consecration service being conducted by Bishop Selwyn himself. At that time St. Peter’s stood isolated in the “suburbs” of Onehunga, the business area being near the beach at the foot of Norman’s Hill. Since then the church has seen Onehunga grow around it, until today it stands in the heart of the town. In its grounds lie the remains of its pioneers side by side with the unfortunate sailors of H.M.S. Orpheus, wrecked on the Manukau Bar 67 years ago. A few months ago the old building was shifted 30ft to the westward to make room for the new structure, and as the latter is advanced the old thurch will be pulled down. SALE OF LAND The new chancel and tower, in brick and concrete, will be started as soon as a tender is accepted, and is estimated to cost £3,500, of which sum £2.600 is already in hand. By the sale of a valuable block of land fronting Queen and Grey Streets, the vestry hope to realise a sum sufficient to cover the greater part of the cost of the remainder of the new building. The Masonic ceremony was impressively carried out by the Provincial Grand Master, Bro. Oliver Nicholson, assisted by Past-Deputy Grand Master Bro. F. Kearsley; Senior Grand Deacon, Bro. Charles E. Dut-

| ton; Acting-Junior Grand Deacon, Bro. M. A. Benny; and the Grand Director ! of Ceremonies, Bro. W. C. Finnis. Bro. Rev. E. Drake, Master of Lodge Manukau No. 24, was also present, together with a large attendance of members of his lodge in full Masonic regalia. The Provincial Grand Master, after being assured by his officers that the stone had been proved by them to be level, square and perpendicular, scattered upon it corn, poured wine and anointed it with oil, symbolic of goodness, plenty and gladness. He thereupon declared that the stone was well and truly laid according to the ancient traditions and customs of the craft. Mr. Smyth then laid in the cavity a cylinder containing the history of the church, copies of The Sun, “Herald” and “star,” and pieces of the current coinage. The ceremony was concluded by the large congregation singing “The Church’s One Foundation.” St. Peter’s choir, St. Peter’s Boy Scouts and the Girl Peace Scouts also took part. "