The Sisters of the Missions, Christchurch

New Zealand Tablet, 9 July 1908, Page 13

The Sisters of the Missions, Christchurch

The new chapel which has teen erected for the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, Christchurch, marks a distinct step in the progress of church architecture in this Dominion. The Sisters have every reason to be proud of the chapel, in the designing and carrying out of which Mr. J. F. Munnings, of Messrs. Hurst, Seager, Wood, and Munnings, Christchurch, the architects for the work, has spared no pains. Generally speaking, the chapel may be said to be based on the Byzantine style,

taking into consideration the local requirements and limitations of materials, which in New Zealand are so great. - The plan was worked out according to instructions received, and - trie attaching of the chapel to the convent- necessitated a, new treatment, isolation being out of the question. The external appearance at once strikes' the visitor, who realises that a beautiful building is not beyond our local^ materials. The main west window is a fine piece of design, worked out in firebricks, white stone, and Greek Cippolino marble, which last-named gives the

focal point of .the building. The- carving, which is very rich, was done by Mr. Hood to the models made by Mr. C. Kidson, sculptor. The "effect of 'the staircase tower, main doorway, and arcaded balcony is good, the herring-bone brickwork giving a

charming setting for the doorway with carved emblems. The arms of the convent are in the centre, with emblems of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost arranged above, and below on the jambs are emblems of the four Evangelists, which have been executed by Mr. Guernsey. The general effect with the fine range of side windows delicately divided with leads set- in a ground of stone and brick is fine, and altogether the color scheme is most pleasing. The interior is," if anything, finer than the exterior, and is worked out with a tiled floor for the aisles and sanctuary, white Sicilian marble for the altar floor and oile<| jarrah for the floor to the stalls ancl benches. The walls ar« panelled to the height of 20ft in figured rimu oiled, above which floats the plaster vault with its chaste enrichment. The niche* are in figured rimu with inlaid canopies and pedestals. The stalls and benches are in kauri stained and dull polished. The confessional is worked in the wall between the priest's sacristy and the east end of the nave, and is in panelled figured rimu. A notable feature about the chapel is the gallery which overlooks the nave, and at the west end of which is the arcaded, balcony, and at Ihe east end is a convalescent room to contain two beds, which, having a pair of casements opening into the chapel, will give the occupants an opportunity of hearing the service. Two sacristies are provided with doors leading into the sanctuary. The building is fitted with electric light, which at night, with

the varying tones of light softened by the warm woodwork enhanced again by the tiled floors and plaster vaults, gives that sacred atmosphere so jmportant in church work-. -