NEW ANGLICAN CHURCH OF S. ANDREW, CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1427, 25 August 1881, Page 3

NEW ANGLICAN CHURCH OF S. ANDREW, CAMBRIDGE.

Tnib imposing edifice is now completed, and will be opened with great ceremony on Wednesday next, the 31st instant, when the Venerable Archdeacon Pritt will deliver the opening seimon. With the exception of the erection of the seats, and the pulpit, and a few other minor matters, nothing remains to lie done to make the building what it is destined to be— the handsomest structure, either sacred or secular, yet erected in this district. It is now a good few months since the erection of a suitable church was fir&t mooted by the congregation of Saint Andrew. The small church, which up to the present lias done service, was found to be inadequate for the rapidly increasing congiegation. For congregational purposes it was the smallest m the district, though the denomination which worshipped within its walls was by faith c largest. In another week it will be practically abandoned, to be used for Sunday-school purposes by the children whose parents were the early pioneers of the place, and who, during the early days of the district, sent up their prayers to God in the same venerable edifice. When the idea of building a new church was first seriously contemplated, practical men saw at once that the work was urgent, and determined on having a building worthy of the place, and creditable to the community. The congregation was convinced that the step had to be taken sooner or later, and having thus recognised the indispensable nature of the project, accorded their unanimous approval, and not only interest, but enthusiasm was awakened. The task which meant a large amount of detail work for somebody, was accordingly undertaken by the congregation, and carried into execution by a few indefatigable gentlemen, — Messrs. T. Wells, Ohitty, F. Hicks, Heeney, Stuart, and G. Hoskingr, and the Rev. Mr Willis, — and the work now completed, bears testimony to the practical nature of their labour ,'and is not of that dubous character, which awards neither honour nor merit, to those who are unquestionably entitled to it. Everyone will admit that the work was spiritedly undertaken, and that the result is highly satisfactory, and destined to leave an indelible impression on the minds of those who may through busineas or pleasure pay a visit to the rising township, in which it is situate. It is now about eight months since the imposing ceremony of laying the foundation stone was performed by hi* Excellency Sir Arthur Gordon —an event wbiph, will long be remembered by all those who assisted at that demonstration — and little 'over four months since the contractor, Mr W. Q. Connolly, eommeueed building- operations.

Rapid progress has been made with the work, and travellers passing to and fro, who have witnessed the developemenfc of the huilding, have heen wont to compliment the members of the Episcopalian community of Cambridge, on their extreme good taste and enterprise and devotion to a work so laudable. The project was purely a local one, the entire building fund with the exception of a few pounds, being subscribed in Cambridge alone. A generous public, inclusive of all denominations, was appealed to, and willingly responded to the call made upon them, each contributing as his circumstances dictated, and we are convinced that all those who have assisted will rejoice and be highly gratified at the result of the labour of the few. The Church which is situate at the junction of Vic-toria-street and the Hamilton road, is built according to the Gothic style of architecture, and consists of nave, transept, chancel, and vestry. The chancel end of the building is elevated by three gradations of six inches each, the first of which from the transept will accommodate the choir, the alter beiug erected on the third. To the right of the chancel is the vestry, the dimensions of which are 12?, x 12. This apartment is lighted by two windows and contains two doors, one opening to the outside of the building, and the other into the south end of the transept. To the left of the chancel is situate the Parker Memorial Font, a handsome ornament constructed entirely of Oamaru stone, and ornamentally cut. The basement storey of the tower, 12 feet square, lighted by two windows, and having two doors, one leading outside, and the other into the north end of the transept. From here a flight of stops leads to the ringing chamber, lift. 6in. squaie, and lighted by four windows, fiom here another flight of steps leads to the belficy, which is to accommodate the chime of six bells already ouleied from Home. The dimensions of the belfrey aye 11 x 11 and it is accommodated with eight louvre windows, each wire-screened. The louvres are constructed in a way which will not interlere with the sound of the bells and the floor of the chambor is covered with zinc. The base of the spire is immediately above the belfry chamber and is lighted by four windows of clear glass. The tower has a foundation of concrete six feet below the ground and together with the spire, which is 50 feet 5 inches, measures from the foundation stone to the vane 107 feet. This part of the building is constructed with the best timber obtainable, and to secure strength is well strapped with iron bands, the outside of the spire being lii.cd with sheet iron. The principal cntiance to the church is from the west end of the building where the porch is situate, fiom which two double doors, one opening towards the north, and the other towards the west, afford ample means of exit for the congregation. A patient spring door (double) divides the interior of the church from the porch. The chinch is lighted by nine large windows or three sots in each gable, in addition to which there is a splendid circular rose-coloured window 6 feet in diameter, adorning the western end of the building. The interior ol the Church is lined with timber 6xl, tongued and grooved, and jointed, and is wainscotted to the height of sft. from the floor all round the building, the cornice work consisting of peifoiated boards. The ventilation of the building has received the attention which it deserves, ten wooden ventilators being placed at intervals lound the walls at a distance of Bft. from the floor. The construction of the roof is of a peculiar, though handsome character, the centre resting on the four inner corners of the tiansept, and strongly bound together with iion tie rods and king rod, the four valley rafters forming an ellipse and spanning the inner square of the tiansept diagonally. To ensuie the escape of foul air from the Church, ten louvres have been fixed m the roof, which should be sufficient for the purpose for which they are intended. The nave of the Church is so constructed as to admit of being lengthened at any future time, without materially altering the present style of the building, but it will be some tune before such an addition is required. The lining of the interior i& well varnished, and the wainscotting is stained a beautiful oak colour. The outside of the building, which is as well finished as the interior, is rusticatedweather boarded, and the exterior workmanship generally is of an unusually well finished character. Each gable is surmounted by an ornamental cross, the apex being also ornamented with fancy wood-work, or barge boards. The buildin": is roofed with kauri shingles, and the ridge is covered with sheet iion. Tbero is also an elevation of four steps to each entrance, which shows that the <rround floor is elevated a comfortable distance from the damp earth. The outside of the building is 2>amted a drab colour, the basement being painted a dark slate coloiu, and the doors are grained in oak. The following are the dimensions (outsido) of the building : — From chancel end of building to porch, 79ft. ; transept, ooft, x 2Stt. ; from floor to udge, -40ft. ; and porch, 9ft. Gin. x 10ft. 6in. The seats which are made by the Auckland Sash and Door Company, are not as yet erected, but will be in their places when the day of opening arrives ; and the pulpit has also to be erected. Much credit is due to the contractor, Mr Connolly, for the manner in which he has carried out his contract, and also to MiDan Watson the overseer, under whose guidance the work was proceeded with, and executed. It is unnecessary to say more than that Messrs Mahoney and Son were the architects, the name itselt being a sufficient guarantee for the quality of their share in the work. The grounds adjoining the church have already been laid out by Messrs Wells and Hicks, assisted by two practical gardeners, and present to the eye a picturesque and charming appearance. Flowers, trees, and numerous little shoots have been planted, and look as fresh as if they were in their mother earth. The paths have been well formed and gravelled, and a substantial post and wire fence erected. It is also intended that the entrance to the ground will not be the least imposing feature of the work. The gate-posts are already on the ground, and the gravelling of the paths will be proceeded with without delay. The entire building including the tower is constructed solely of heart of kauri timber, and the estimated cost is £1,800, or inclusive of fittings, bells, ornamenting grounds, and fencing, £2500.