CONSECRATION OF ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 174, 2 June 1879, Page 2

CONSECRATION OF ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH.

In spite of somewhat unfavorable weather, a large congregation assemhled at St. Patrick's Church, Masterton,- ywordily to see Bishop Redwood edifice; Besidestlpeßishop Father Halbwachs, another priest took part in the service, the Rev Father Grunholtz, wlio has recently arrived, from Poland, and whose mission in New Zealand has a special reference to the many Polish families which are now scattered through the colon/. The Rev Father Halbwachs opened the proceedings by presenting to tho Bishop the following address My Dear Lord .—Our hearts aro. filled with joy and consolation on seeing your Lordship to-day. in the midst of us for the purpose of- consecrating this beautiful Church, in honor of the great Apostle of Ireland, St. Patrick. It is with no small labor, with no little anxiety and trouble, on my part at least, that this Church lias been erected. It reflects the highest credit on the eminent talents of Mr Turnbull, the architect who designed it, and on the skill of tho able contractors, Messrs Bishop and Hawkins, who have built it, I am indeed happy to say that St. Patricks' is both an ornament to the thriving township of Maslerton, and an honor to the whole Catholic population of the district. Some of them, indeed, came forward generously to assist me in the erection of this graceful Church. May tho others understand, at least to-day, that they also are in justice, duty, and honor bound to help nie to defray the expenses incurred in this great undertaking. • I again thank, my Lord, in your presence all those good people, to whatever denomination they belong, who aro always ready to contribute liberally to works of tliis kind. I also thank all those Catholics who have shown themselves worthy of their religion. May your Lordship, also, deign to aceept the expression of our highest esteem and deepest gratitude towal'ds you for having, in spite of the inclemency of the weather, and your manifold occupations, coiue to consecrate this Church,

The Bishop acknowledged with thanks tlielcindaddress presented to-him, and intimated that ho would reply to it after blessing the church. ! - • The ceremony of consecrating the church was then proceeded with, after which the Bishop said that he was very thankful to the pastor of the church for his kind address, and fully endorsed many of the expressions containek in it. The chnrch was a oredit to Mr Turnbull, the architect who had designed it, a credit to the builders (Messrs Bishop and Hankins) for the mariner in which they had carried out their work; a credit to the Catholics of the district, and a credit to the city of Masterton. He joined with Father Halbwachs in thanking all denominations who had contributed towards the erection of so beautiful an edifice, He had great pleasure in coming amongst them; it was always pleasing to him to visit any part of his diocese when good work was going on. He eulogised the spirit and vigor which Father Halbwachs had displayed 111 building the church which had just been dedicated to the great Apostle of Ireland, the glorious St. Patrick. Any words of his would be cold and feeble to do justicp to their pastor, who had been the soul of the Catholic movement in the Wairarapa, and whose zeal and anxiety in the work was so well known that all must agree with him in tendering their heartfelt thanks to the Rev Father, He trusted all would contribute liberally towards defraying any debt which still remained on the building and the grounds surrounding it, and that it would be regarded a point of Catholic honor as well as of Catholic duty to give this assistance to the priest who had done so much for them. He did not know that he could liavo got another man to do in the Wairarapa what Father Halbwachs had done. The Bev Father had been the right man in the right place. Afterwards High Mass was solemonized by the Rev Father Grunholtz, the Bishop preaching a sermon on. the Catholic doctrine, applicable to the anniversary of the day. Before concluding his sormon liis Lordship again thanked all who had assisted in the erection of the Church, mentioning in terms of honor the architect and the builders, and referring again to the immense zeal displayed by the venerated pastor of the district.

■ The choir sustained ilieir part in the service most effectively, and the general arrangements for the accommodation of visitors were perfect, The Church was crowded in the evening for the Vesper sorvico.