NEW CHURCH AT BELL BLOCK.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 220, 27 September 1901, Page 2

NEW CHURCH AT BELL BLOCK.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE. Although the weather bote a threatsuing aspect about mid-day on Thursday the afternoon turned out fine, so that the ceremony of laying tlae foundation stone of the new church of St. Luke, Be'l Block, was carried out under favourable circumstances. There was a considerable muster of people from the vicinity of the church and a fairly large c mtingent from town. Amongst the clergy pre : ent were the Venerable Qovet", Revs. F. G. Evans, Rawnsley, F. W. Young and Garlick, while the lay readers were represented by Messrs. Bennett, senr, and J. Young. The musical portion of the service was rendered very effectively by members of St. Mary's choir, assisted by some ®f the ladies of Te Henui choir, Mr. Fletcher presiding at the organ. The clargy and choir robed in the old church and shortly dfter 3 o'clock the service cjjntnenced, all present being grouped around the stone. It was a vtry pretty scene, the carefully kept grounds and neatly trimmed hedges forming an effective sat-off to the surpliced eon'ingect, while the many cos- [ tumes of the ladies present gave colour and vitality to the kcenc. The choral music in the open air had a very pleasing effect, especi diy as the tones of the organ were carefully subdued. The opening hymn was " The Church's One Foundation," afier which three appropria'e psalms were sung (121, 122, and 127) and Ihi n came the anthem " They that Stand " which was most creditably sung.

The R'lV. F. G. Evans then gave a short address in which ho alluded to the memories which connected thepist with the present so far a* St. Luke's Church was concerned, Ha mentioned rhat during tbe Maori war the present church remained unharmed and that by a curious coincidence the first subscription towards the new building came from a Maori. An additional link was als) in evidence in the mailet presented by Oaptain Cornwall and with which the now stone was to be laid. This not only connected the pist with the present, but also connected the mother church of St. Mary's with its i.ff-spring at Bell Block, for tho head was made from one of the pos's at St. Ma>yV, tfhile the handle was tiken from one of the communion rails at S". Luke's. He concluded by expre-siug a fervont hope that the new church would prove a great blessing to the disttict,

.After another hymn had been sung, | Archdeacon Uovett laid the foundation stone iu a v.ry impressive manner. The stone bears an inscription with idate, stating it was laid by Archdeacon ;Govett, who for 50 years has been minister of tiie parish. A collection was t&ken up for the new church, refilling in an addition of £8 8s to the fund. The proceedings terminated with a short prayer and the Benediction.

Mmy of those present then adjourned to witness a hockey match held in a paddock near at hand, after which there was a .social tea in the Bell Block Hall, which the ladies of the district had provided, and they are entitled to great pr.iisi for the excellent results 'cliieved. [»• the evening a concert took place, the various items being much appreciated, The following was the programme : —Piano duet, Missf-s Skect ami Standish; song, Mr. 0. Long (encore); song, Miss fLoby ; song, Mr. G'artwright; Maori item (encore); Vicar's address, congratulating the peoph on ths success of the function ; song, Miss Drake; duet, Miss Butt jnd Mr. Waitai (encore) ; Song Miss. Skeet (enr:ore); song, Mr. Oartwright; Maori item; song, Miss Skset,; pong, Mr. Ohong; vote of tha.uk-* proposed by Captain Cornwall to all who had worked; duet, Miss Butt and Mr. j Waitai; song, Mr. GorriDge. The hall was quite filled with an enthusiastic audience, and nearly all the items were encored, '