ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST’S CHURCH, WINCHESTER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1916, 13 July 1889, Page 2

ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST’S CHURCH, WINCHESTER.

The history of the establishment of a Church at Winchester is one that shows the value of small beginnings and united action. Less than tec years ago the services of the Episcopalian Church were conducted with more or Isss difficulty and irregularity in the then existing schoolroom. These services, although appreciated both by adherents of the Church and also by Nonconformists, were from time to time irregularly attended. It was difficult in a country district t« let people know the hour and day when Divine worship would be held, and even those resident close by sometimes let a Sunday slip by without attending. At a meeting of settlers interested in the matter a suggestion was made that if a bell were procurable, then at all events those living adjacent to the school would always know the hour of service. The suggestion found favor, and Mr W. Deßenzy, who was then manager of the estate of the Hon. Spencer Lyttelton, at once started a subscription list, heading it himself, and sufficient was collected to make the desired purchase. Armed with full

authority, Mr Deßenzy proceeded to j Christchurch, and arranged with Messrs I Anderson and Co. for a suitable bell, receiving from them a substantial reduction in price when they learned the purpos e to which it was to bo devoted. This bell vas subsequently erected in the small 1 belfry in (he school grounds, and for many years its ringing, though not tho most melodious, served to call together the somewhat sparse congregation of the district. As tim® wore on it was felt that the schoolroom, which had hitherto served its purpose well, was not perhaps as suitable as it might be, and serious thoughts were entertained of tho propriety of erecting a church. Mr Inwood, sen., then made the liberal offer of a section of j land adjoining his residence, and also of a I sum of £IOO, provided that a similar amount were collected. The offer was a tempting one, and, on the suggestion of Mr Deßenzy, was accepted. The latter gentleman boldly averred his belief that he could himself collect a fourth or more of the sum. As a matter of fact he did ! this, and his energetic example spurred j on others. A donation from the Hon. Spencer Lyttelton materially assisted to make up the required sum, and the Bishop of the diocese, as well ns the neighboring proprietors, responded freely to the appeal. In a comparative!} short period it was felt that nothing prevented the erection of the church, as the debt that would be outstanding could without doubt be arranged for. A building committee was appointed, and plans, prepared by Mr Cane, architect, of Christchurch, were accepted. Keeping in view the necessity of economy, it was agreed only at first to erect the aisle, and at a subsequent period, should occasion serve, the remainder of the church could be put up according to the plan. The church was erected and duly opened, the services in connection therewith being largely attended. As yet, however, it, although neat and substantial, was practically devoid of ornament, and even comfort. The building committee and, churchwardens could do no more financially. They had hitherto done well. The church was opened with the comparatively small debt of £IOO. This was arranged for by a loan from the Church Properly Trustees, secured by Build ng Society shares. The maintenance of the payments due upon these, together with the customary calls upon the district for their quota towards stipend fund and ordinary Church expenses, left it impossible for any of the ordinary rsvenne of tha Church to be devoted to extraneous expenses. At this stage a ladies' sewing bee, of which Mrs J. A. Young was the life and soul, was established. As the result of their efforts, a aam of oyer £4O was realised, and this was expended in lighting the church by two handsome chandeliers and the providing of an altar cloth, cnshinas, etc. Other donations and unostentatious help were received from sundry sources, and tha Barker family and Messrs Ensor and Young assisted materially from time to time to aid the good work. The assistance received from Mr Young, the “Father of Winchester,” and from his family, together with Messrs Smith Bros., who always came forwoid when required, has been much appreciated. The services of the Church were maintained by the assistance of Messrs D. J iwood and B. Smith, the lay-readers, who divided the labor with the incumbent. Mr Inwood having had occasion to change his residence, It was fait necessary to appoint a substitute, tha more especially as Mr Smith was largely occupied with Sunday School work. A great difficulty occurred in raakiag a selection, but at last Mr H, /. Gladstone was asked and accepted the appointment. No happier choice could have been made. .From his appointment be has been heart and soul in the work, and has ably followed in the footsteps of Mr lawood, whose retirement was severely felt. One of Mr Gladstone’s first acta was to draw attention to the necessity «f a vestry, and, being aware of tho straitened nature of the Church’s finances (although by this time the Building Society shares had matured, and there was no call in that direction), he volunteered to erect a vestry at bis own expense, provided the word were put in hand at once. The Church officers recognised that this was an offer not to be lost sight of, and they determined to invite tenders for the erection of a chancel, vestry and porch, and, should ft be within their means, to have the whole work carried out at one®. Mr Cane’s .services were called into requisition, and the original design ot the church, with sundry alterations, was approved of. The lowest tenders were : for the chancel, £74 ; for the vestry, £37 and the porch, £2O ;in all, £l3l. This was considered well within the means of the district, taking into consideration Mr Gladstone’s offer, and the work w»e at once let. In the meantime an active canvass was mads for subscriptions, the principal workers being Messrs Gladstone and Deßenzy. Their efforts were more successful even than was anticipated. Tho Hon. Spencer Lyttelton, with the utmost liberality, contributed sufficient for the erection of the porch, and the remainder of the sum required was collected all but a few pounds. Io about three months from the date of the letting of the contract the work was completed and duly apprevod by the architect. It is now one of the neatest churches in South Canterbury. It is io most just proportion substantially built, and well lighted. It has seating capacity for about j 130 adults. The porch is most substantial, and conveys an idea of a porch of an old [ Gothic church at Home. The vestry is commodious and well fitted. The chancel is plain, but in good taste, and when supplied with an appropriate altar-piece, which is promised by the architect, will look exceedingly complete. The increased size of the church necessitated extra lighting, and Mr Gladstone hus kindly supplied this with a very powerful Rochester lamp, which is suspended in the chancel. The font (of Oamaru stone), neatly carved, is the gift of the architect. Taken all in all, the congregation are to bo congratulated [ upon their energetic Church officers, who [ by their exertions have ably justified tha confidence placed in them. At a meeting of tho vestry recently held, hearty votes of thanks were accorded to Mr Gladstone for the gift of the vestry, and to the Hon. Spencer Lyttelton for his handsome donation. Mr Daßenzy volunteered to supply commemorative tablets of brass—-one setting forth that (he vestry was built at tho expense of Mr Gladstone, and the other to the effect that the porch was erected by means of the Hon. Spencer Lyttelton’s gift. The vestry also expressed their opinion that it was mainly

through Mr Gladstone’s liberal offer that they were induced to proceed with the erection of the other portion of the building. The church was formally r«opened on Sunday, Juno 9 h, when the incumbent Drenched an appropriate sermon from I. Kings, vi., 7 : " And the bouse when it was in building was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither, so that there was neither hammer, nor axe, nor any tool of iron beard in the house while it was in building,” pointing out that as the separata stones of the Temple were prepared, so, in like m incer, was the Church of Christ built, each individual member being' prepared by, manifold temptations, eic„ for his plaSfi hereafter. The service was well attended, and there is already a noticeable improvement in the general attendance at the church since its reopening.