ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH NOTES

Taupo Times, Volume IV, Issue 190, 16 September 1955, Page 3

ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH NOTES

,.m ' i n i— ■ At the nine o'clock Mass at St. Patrick's Church, Taupo, on the occasion of the first Communion of fourteen children of the Parish, 011 Sunday, August 14, a painting of "The Last Supper," was blessed by the Rev. Father J. de Bree. The painting, a fine reproduction of Leonardo da Vinci's famous masterpiece, was presented to the Church by Mr. and Mrs. H. Smith, for the front of the altar and is the work of Mr. Smith. By profession Mr. Smith is a decorative artist, portrait painter and restorer and copier of Church paintings. Prior to coming to New Zealand, Mr. Smith studied art under famous European professors, and spent some time at the Vatican to gain his Diploma for Church Paintings.

Another important event at St. Patrick's Church was the blessing, on Sunday, August 28, at nine a.m. Mass, of a circular stained glass window above the altar. The window represents Christ as King and Judge, and is a fine example of the work of Mr. Martin Roestenburg, an artist of European reputation now resident in Taihape. The window has been presented to the Church by Mr. and Mrs. Norman Redwood, of Ahuroa Road, Taupo. Two other stained glass windows in the Church, representing St. Patrick and St. Peter Chanel, are also the work of Mr. Roestenburg. During the blessing and during Mass the Taupo Maori choir sang the well known "De Profundis" in Maori, with other hymns in Maori.