New Catholic Church at Lumsden

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 23, 8 June 1905, Page 19

New Catholic Church at Lumsden

The new Catholic church recently completed at Lumsden was solemnly blessed and opened on Sunday, May 28, by his Lordship Bishop Verdon, assisted by the Rev. Fafher Keen&n.. The weather was fine, and there was a very large congregation present from all the surrounding districts^-Dipton, Athol, Mossburn, Balfour, and Riversdale. The Rev. Father Keenan was celebrant of the Mass, and his Lordship the Bishop preached an impressive sermon on Prayer. At the conclusion of tHe sermon the Bishop liighly complimented the contractors on the excellence of their work.. The building (said he) in every way reflected great credit on their skill. The music of the Mass was very creditably rendered by a choir consisting of Misses Smaill (2), Dunn, Cooney, and Mr. Smaill (Riversdale). The church, whiten is dedicated to the service of God under "the patronage of St. Michael, was opened almost free of debt. The offertory amounted to close on £106, and further sums were promised, which will practically extinguish the small liability remaining. The Lumsden correspondent of the ' Southland News' supplies the following details as to dimensions, etc. .—. — The church stands almost on the edge of a rising terrace on the north of the main road from Gore, and faces almost east and west. The nave is 36ft long, by 21^ft wide, and is entered from a porch Bft square. The sanctuary,, which is at the western extremity, is a semioctagon in shape, measuring 12ft wide by Bft deep. Here is situated the altar, fronted by a handsome casViron altar-rail, finished in green and gold (presented by Mr. O'Connell, ofi Dunedin). To the north is the sacristy, 9ft square. The whole building stands upon a substantial concrete foundation, with concrete steps at the main and sacristy entrances. The superstructure is of the most substantial character, and the interior is beautifully finished. The ceiling rfses to a height of 16ft, the walls have a dado 4ft high, above that being pnnelled with lining board placed diagonally. The altar is marbled, and its furnishings of excellent character. The seats are of rea" pine, dressed and varnished, and are supplied with book-rests and kneeling stools. The building, as a whole, reflects credit upon the contractors, Messrs. Lapwell and Sons, and from its prominent position forms an ornament to the township.