MINIATURE CHURCH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 June 1941, Page 2

MINIATURE CHURCH

CONSTRUCTED BY SOLDIERS IN EGYPT. FEATURE OF A HOSPITAL. (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service.) CAIRO. April 30. The story of how a hotel was concerted to enable the New Zealand Expeditionary Force to have a hospital in Egypt has been told, but successful as that conversion was, there is still another episode connected with it that should be related. The chaplains thought that a hospital without a chapel was still not complete, and through the energy of Major J. M. Stewart, now senior chaplain to the forces at the Base Camp at Maadi,,a wonderful •piece of work was carried out in the adaption of an outbuilding into a miniature church that has become one of the features of the hospital. . In this work he, was ably assisted by I the garrison engineer, Captain E. Ed-I wards, R.E., who placed workmen at; his disposal. The whole building was | first cleared. A small nave was built al the east end with a large cross in the centre. Underneath this was placed an altar that would be the envy of many New Zealand churches. At the side there was put a lectern, the floor was carpeted and altar furnishings were purchased. The altar cloth was a gift from the New Zealand Army Nursing Service. The Deputy Chaplain General in the Middle East at the ceremony of dedication assisted by the Assistant Deputy Chaplain General representing the Presbyterian Church: and the Chaplain of the hospital. Major Stewart, was present on behalf of New Zealand churches. Every Sunday this little chapel is now used for communion services and has proved a very valuable asset in the spiritual work being carried on at this general hospital.