CATHOLIC CHURCH

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 365, 20 February 1937, Page 4

CATHOLIC CHURCH

BUILT IN 1894. Anniversary Of Laying Foundation Stone. An anniversary of interest to the Catholic community of Stratford occurs this month. Forty three years ago, on February 25, 1894, the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of a new churcih was performed by the late Archbishop Redwood, at the site in Miranda street in the presence of a large assemblage.

The morning mroke very wet and by 10 o’clock the occasional show Yrs settled down into heavy rain, the Eg mont Settler reported. About 1 o’clock a special train arrived from New Plymouth and was fairly well patronised. Large congregations attended mass in the old church at 9 o’clock and 11 o’clock, and at noon the weather cleared • and remained fine for the rest of the day.

At 2 o’clock an enormous crowd gathered round the site of the new church beautfully situated on an ele vation in Miranda street. The foundation stone at the northwest corner of the building is a large block of blue stone got from the bed of the Patea river. In a cavity of the stone, in a bottle, were placed the usual docunfents, with a copy of the Tablet, Egmont Settler and other newspapers.. The Archbishop, who was assisted by Rbv Fathers McKenna, and Flood, applied the silver trowel, resented by the architect, Mr. P. G. Smith and declared the stone Well and truly laid. In an eloquent address His Grace referred to the good and holy work just begun. They had just lad the foundation stone of a church which he could say without any flattery, would be a credit to the town and to the Catholic body. If the people wished to keep the civilisation of this country they must keep the cause of it and he concluded that when he san* them putting up churches they were determined to do their duty in that respect.

A large sukn was placed upon the stone after which a short service was held in the old church. At six o’clock the special train left for New Plymouth taking the northern visitors.

From the Rev. Father McKenna, the Egmont Settler learned that the receipts of the day amounted to £l2O