ARCHITECTURE & SITE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 July 1942, Page 4

ARCHITECTURE & SITE

(To the Editor.) Sir, —The letter from N.J.B. needs an answer. He desires that the new St. Matthew’s should be a replica of St. Paul’s, Wellington. All I can say is God forbid. Pugin built at the period of Victorian worst taste, when German influence in the Court, through the Prince Consort, nearly smothered English culture. No, Sir, let each nati\i and each age develop the art and architecture best suited to its people and its conditions. N.J.B. is Masterton's historian, so I hope he will not mind if I put my view of things. The pioneers, with a clearer view than we have, of the relation between spiritual and worldly things,, put aside three blocks in the best position in the town to bear witness to God, and churches were erected by the Anglican, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic congregations. I recall the joy I felt in the old wooden St. Matthew’s, so satisfying in its beautiful simplicity. About 35 years ago, the church rulers decided that it was too valuable an acre to give to God. Push God’s House down a side street and build shops to make more money, was the cry. Now we have had our lesson and now we have our opportunity. Let us build the church on the old church site, and as the leases of the shops fall in pull them down. Let in air and dignity to the town and keep a constant reminder before the citizens that things of the Spirit come first.—Yours, etc.. ANNE FLETCHER. Masterton, July 24.