ST. MARY’S CHURCH.
UNVEILING CEREMONY
DEDICATION OF MEMORIAL WINDOWS.
Two stained glass windows, which have been placed in the north transcept of St. Mary’s Church, New Plymouth, to honor the memory of two well-known clergymen (the late Archdeacon Walsh and the late Rev. A. H. Colvile) were unveiled at a ceremony which took place yesterday afternoon in the presence of a large congregation.
Archdeacon Walsh, who held positions in Taranaki many years ago, was possessed of a good deal of artistic ability, of which there is’ practical evidence in St. Mary’s to-day, the military hatchments being his work, and he was also the designer of a number of monuments, including the Marsden memorial at the Bay of Islands. His death occurred in Auckland six years ago. The window in his memory has a representation of the Good Shepherd, and bears the following inscription below:—"To the glory of God. and in memory of Philip Walsh, benefactor of this church, who departed into rest August 22, 1914”
The other window represents the great preacher, St. John, the Baptist, and is inscribed as follows:—"To the glory of God, and in memory of Algernon Holland Colvile, priest, vicar of this parish, Wl2-17, who entered into rest February 13, 1918.” During his term Rev. Colvile became widely known and was a forceful personality.
The service was taken by Archdeacon Evans, and Rev. Harvie, and the unveiling ceremony was performed by Mrs Evans and Mrs. W. I). Webster Prayers of dedication were offered by the Archdeacon, and this was followed by the -singing of the hymn, "Thy Kingdom Come.” The offerings at the service will be sufficient to cover the cost of installing the windows, so that the memorial will be completely free oi debt.
In the course of his address, Arch deacon Evans said:
In this church of St. Mary we have many memorials; indeed, the. churcli itself is a memorial tp the first twe vicars who ministered here in holy things, and left the sweetest memorial of their lives and work behind them while their dust lies together in the churchyard outside.
To-day the church of so many holy memorials is enriched by two splendid windows to the memory of two men who had much to do with its usefulness: one to. Philip Walsh, priest and Archdeacon; and the other to Algernon Holland Colvile, priest and missioner, who for more than five years occupied the honored position of vicai of this parish.
Philip Walsh was well-known throughout this Dominion, and especially in this diocese, as a faithful and zealous priest of the church, an artist of no small repute, and a kind and faithful friend. He gave many years of efficient service in several parts of this diocese, and wherever he went he gained faithful friends, whose attachment to him continued through life, and still exists. He acted as architect to several churches in the diocese, and took the greatest interest in their erection. He was the designer of the Celtic memorial cross that stands outside the north porch of this church, and also of the Marsden memorial cross at the Bay of Islands, which marks the spot where that grand missionary proclaimed the Gospel message to Now Zealand 107 years ago. But I consider his greatest artistic triumph was when, through many years of patient labor, he painted those beautiful hatchments which are memorials of the brave men who fought and died for Queen and country, and by so doing enriched their church beyond all material comparison, and revealed the deep affection he had for it.
Algernon Holland Colvile was well known to many of you, and you remember that splendid voice that resounded through this church. He was a man of great personal charm and of many remarkable gifts. He won the coveted blue at Oxford, and was a true lover of games of all kinds. He was a preacher among preachers, and his sermons were rightly appreciated by those who had the privilege of hearing them. Many hundreds of people have cause to thank God for his work as a missioner. He, was especially excellent as a pastor to the sick and suffering, and. his visits in times of distress and sorrow can never be forgotten. In the last few, months of his life he suffered as few are called upon to suffer, and he bore it with heroic courage. He was indeed a great gift to the church, and his loss is hard to replace. And while I mention this, I cannot help remembering his gentle wife, to. whom he was all in all. Alas, when her husband suffered her joy in life passed too, and when he died “the light went out.” But let us trust that in death they are not divided.
These beautiful windows are to remind us, and those who come-after us, of the lives and labors of those two servants of God. As the sun from the heavens above streams through the beautiful coloring of these windows, may it remind us of the way in which God’s spirit shone through the human imperfections and the frailty of his servants’ lives. And while we view them as memorials of them and their work, let us pray that what was Divine in their efforts may live on amongst us, and stimulate us to deeds that will shine on for Him when we too shall have passed away.
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Taranaki Daily News, 16 May 1921, Page 4
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900ST. MARY’S CHURCH. Taranaki Daily News, 16 May 1921, Page 4
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