Style and Dimensions

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 18, 30 April 1903, Page 3

Style and Dimensions

As the church now stands there is the nave, 87ft. 6in. by 35ft., and 35ft. high, with two access aisles through the whole length, each 7ft. 6in. wide. The aisles are divided from the nave by means of two colonnades, each consisting of 14 Corinthian columns 21ft. high, carrying right round the inside of the nave a complete entablature, consisting, of Corinthian cornice, frieze, and architrave ; above this is the clerestory, which is designed with double pilasters over each of the nave columns, and gives light to the nave by means of 26 iron-framed windows. The ceiling of the nave is finished in embossed zinc arranged in strongly recessed decorated coffers. The upper end is terminated with the sanctuary arch, behind which i& the temporary sanctuary. At the other end is situated the organ loft, 12ft. by 35ft., and carried on columns similar to those between the nave and aisles, and having the floor of reinforced concrete. On the lower ends of the aisles are situated the two flanking towers, each 10ft by 10ft. internally and 40ft. high to the bases of the columns which carry their domes. In one of these towers is the baptistery, and in the other the organ loft stairway. The surmounting domes of these two towers, which have just been finished, are each of stone, carried on eight Corinthian columns 10ft. high with Corinthian entablature of cornice and frieze and architrave 2ft. 9in. high, above which is the dome of eight facets 12ft. by 14ft , surmounted with finial and cross, bringing the total height of tower and dome etc., to 74ft. Between these two towers has just been completed the portico which is carried on eight fluted Corinthian columns with moulded full dies, entablature and pediment. The dies are 7ft. Bin. high, the columns, with their carved caps, 22ft. high, and the entablature sft. 6in. high, so that the apex of the pediment rises to a total height of 43ft. from the floor level of the church. The portico shelters the main and two side entrances of the church, and its completion leaves the whole front complete, except the large flight of steps, which still remains to be The whole of the church is built of Oamaru stone both inside and outside, the roof is of slate, and, with the exception of the roof, framing, and the doors, no wood ia used in its construction, so that it is almost There y yet 6 remains to be finished the sanctuary, two side chapels, two sacristies, confessionals, and the great dome (to be supported by 16 handsome columns) in order to complete the original design made by the architect, Mr F W Petre, in 1893. It is the intention of Mgr. Macuay to have a chime of bells in the domes— a large bell being placed in one and a full octave of small bells in the other. It is also contemplated to complete the front enclosure of the ground with concrete pillars and iron fencing, so that the whole street frontage may be of an ornamental character.

Among the prelates and clergy who had come to assist at the solemn ceremony last Sunday were his Grace the Archbishop ol Wellington, his Lordship the Bishop of Dunedin Very Rev. M^r. O'Leary (Lawrence), Very Rev. Father Keogh (Rector St. Patrick's College Wellington) Rev. Father Tubman (Timaru), Rev. Father Murphy (Adm. St. Joseph's Cathedral, Dunedin), Rev. Father Cpfley (South Dunedin), Rev. Father Regnault (Waimate).