ST. MARY'S CHURCH, GERALDINE

Temuka Leader, Issue 1035, 25 November 1882, Page 3

ST. MARY'S CHURCH, GERALDINE

The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new Episcopalian Church, Geraldine, took place tit 11 o’clock last Thursday. There was a large attendance. The site of the new church is the next section to the one on which the old church now stands, and it. was splendidly overhung with a canopy of evergreens and flags. There wore about 500 persons present, and the ceremony was an imposing one. A procession was formed in the old church, and marched in the following order to where the foundation stone was to be laid ; The Churchwardens, the members of the Vestry, the Choir, and next in order came the clergy, namely, the Rev, J. Chaffer?-Walsh, Rev, L, C. Brady, Rev. James Preston, (Incumbent,) 7on. Archdeacon Harper, acting as Bishop’s chaplain, and the most Rev. the Primate of New Zealand, On arriving at the spot, the special foim of service, authorised by the Bishop, was proceeded with. It commenced as follows :

Onr help is in the name of the Lord, Resp. Who had made Heaven and Earth. O Lord hear our prayer, Resp. And let our cry come unto Thee . Blessed be the name of the Lord,Resp. From this time forth for ever more, Allelluia.

The 84th Psalm was then chanted, and after the Lord’s Prayer the Bishop, laying his hand on the foundation stonc 5 said :

“ O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, Who art the brightness of the Father’s Glory, and the express image of His Person ; the Foundation and the Chief Corner Stone ; by Whom in the beginning God created all things; be Thou, we beseech Thee, the Beginning, the Increase, and the Consummation of this our work, which is undertaken to the glory of Thy Name, Who, with the Father aud the Holy Spirit, livest and reignest one God, world without end. Amen.”

Behold, I lay in Zion, a Chief Corner Stone, elect, precious, Resp. And he that believeth in Him shall not be confounded. The Stone which the builders refused Resp. Is become the headstone of the

corner. This is the Lord’s, doing. Eesp. And it is marvellous in our eyes, Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, Resp. Which is Jesus Christ.

Praise ye the Lord. Resp. The Lord’s Name be praised. “ The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of My sanctuary.’’

Hymn 394 was next sung, after which the Bishop delivered a most impressive, and eloquent discourse. He felt infinite pleasure in performing the woik of that day. The old church, of which they once felt.so proud, was now found too small for the requirements of the rising district of Geraldine, and it gave great pleasure t® him to lay the foundation stone of a church that would not only be a credit to the members of the church, but an ornament to the town. The church would always remind them of their duty to God, although constantly immersed in the business of this world. They ought to make their church as magnificent s as they could, but still tlmy should that these who used God’s house should by their lives show that they are the temples of the Holy

Spirit. Lie also impressed upon them the necessity for contributing: as munifleent.lv as their means would allow towards the erection ot the church. A collection was then made, tan offerings being laid upon (he stone, with the result that £37 were collected. Mr M. Be H. Duval, the architect, then presented the Bishop with a trowel, which was inscribed as follows : “ Presented to the Most Rev. the Primate of New Zealand on the occasion of laying the foundation stone of St Mary’s Church, Geraldine.” Mr Duval, in making the presentation, said it was to be used in laying the foundation stone of the church to the Glory of the Most High, and expressed very sincere wishes for the continued health and happiness of the Primate.

The Bishop then laid the stone in the usual manner, saying ‘‘ In the faith of Jesus Christ we place this foundation stone ; in the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. Amen

The following was placed, together with some coins, under the stone ; “ This Foundation Stone of the new Parish Church (in place of a church of wood, built about the year 1864) was laid Thursday, November 2Srd, 1882, by the Most Rev. the Bishop of Christchurch, and Primate of New Zealand, and during the Incumbency ot the Rev. James Preston, and in the presence of Robert Fish and R. S, Cook, (Churchwardens.) C. G. Tripp, W. Hawk, W. Shiers, J. E. Cunningham, R. H. Pearpoiut, W. M. Moore, and T. Hughes. The S7th Psalm was next chanted, and the following prayers were offered

“Hero let true faith, the fear of God, and brotherly love ever remain. This place is consecrated to prayer, and to the praise of the Most Holy Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who ever liveth with the Father and Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.”

“O God, Who art the shield and defence of Thy people, be ever at hand to protect and succour the builders of this house ; that the work which through Thy Mercy hath now begun, may by their labour be brought to a happy end, through Jasus Christ our Lord. Amen.” “O God, Who hast built the livingtemple of Thy Church upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Corner Stone ; grant unto the work of Thine Own Hands continual increase of glory and spiritual strength, and daily make Thy people mere meet for the eternal tabernacle of TLy rest in the Heavens ; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to Whom with Thee, 0 Father, and Thee, O Holy Ghost, be everlasting praise and glory. AmenT

The Benediction brought the ceremony to a close.