Springfield

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVI, Issue 20, 21 May 1908, Page 15

Springfield

(From our Uhristchurch correspondent,) A neat little church, dedicated to St. Catherine, was sodemnly blessed and opened on last Sunday week at Springfield by -his Lordship Bishop Grimes, attended by the Very Rev. Dean Ginaty, S.M., V.G., who celebrated Mass. From Apocalypse, xxl, 1-3, his Lordship the Bishop preached an im.pressUve and appropriate sermon to a congregation which crowded the new church many of those present being non-Catholics. It was a rare event, said Ms Lordship, but no less pleasing, to be in a position such as the present to open and dedicate a church free from all encumbrances— a circumstance on which he congratulated all concerned, but especially the one (Mr.~ Hugh Cassidy), who was inspired to push on the work, which he had helped so generously to complete. The choir from the Darfield church attended, and rendered the music of the Mass excellently, Miss Guiney being, ..organist. The organ was kindly lent by the Dresden Company, and the Bishop expressed the wish that the loan of the instrument should resolve itself into a purchase, and that the organ should thus remain. The Church, which is a very substantial erection, occupies a site on the main West Coast road, and in a prominent part of the township. The section was secured by Mr. Cassidy, and is sufficiently extensive for the purposes of future accommodation. The church, which s quite finished, with the exception of a few minor details, is provided with seats for upwards of 130 persons. The architects are Messrs. Collins and Harman. The cost complete is £fiO", of which Mr. H. Cassidv gave £400. Among other donors were the Cassidv family, £30- Mr. G. Rutherford, £25 ; Mr. B. O'ShoueJhnessy," £20. Several visitors from the city attended the opening ceremony.