Opening of a New Catholic Church at Kaitangata.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXII, Issue 50, 15 December 1904, Page 18

Opening of a New Catholic Church at Kaitangata.

The Milton correspondent of the ' Otago Daily Times ' supplies the fiollowiing -particulars regarding the ceremonies at the blessing and opening of tihe new Ca'thollc qhurch at Kaitanoatia, wi tihe Milton parish, which took place on the Feast of the Immaculate 00-ncefption: l"p to the present members of the Catholic community at KaiLan^ata have labored under the disability , of being without a building of their own w'hereiin to hold service, and had recourse to the public hall. Now al<l this is at an end, thanks to the initiative of the Very Rev. Father O'Neill, to their own energy, and to the liberality of the community. Thursday saw the consummation 'of their efforts, and the opening ol a handsome edifice occjipymg a prom man t site overlooking the townsjhip. The ceremooiy was conducted by the Very Rev. Mgr. O'Leary, the chjurch being dedicated to St. Ita. Very Rev. Dcia-n Burke (Invercargill) delivered am impressive sermon appropriate to tihe occasion. T>he Rev. Father O'Dowiell (Gore) and Kcjv. Fattier Claffey, S.J., were also present, with tihe Very Rqv. Father O'Neill, pastjor of the district, while the combined Milton and Balclutlha choirs rendered the maisical portion of the service, Miss Scanlan (Milton) presiding at the organ. T.he ichurch was well filled, a 'number of visitors from Miltioin, Halcluttfya, and interveiniing di^trktig beingt presdnt. The collection in aid of the buildfog fiund amounted to about £100, mostly contributed by friends outsiWc Kaitangata, and Father O'Neill ex,pre,s'se,d his tiia^iks to all who had so generously aolntributod. The building ks built of brick in Cr.othic design, with raof of tiles, anfl i^ capable of seating 100— am.ple acoommodation, it is anticipated, fior woiship.pers for many years. Tihe contractor was Mr Middtemas, u'ho is deserving 1 of evetry orcidit lor the satislactory manner in Wihiah he carried r/ut the work. The Kaita'ngata Compa/iy kindly gave free passes to the visitors on their line of railway to and from Stirling.