WAIMATE

New Zealand Tablet, 1 May 1913, Page 17

WAIMATE

NEW TOWER OF ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH There was a very large congregation present in St. Patrick's Church, Waimate, at Solemn High Mass at 11 o'clock on Sunday, April 20. Before the Mass, -which was celebrated by Very Rev. Dean Hills, the dedication and blessing of the newly-completed tower was performed by Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M. (Provincial). The Dean (says the Waimate Advertiser) ascended into the tower for this purpose. He subsequently preached at Mass. In the course of his address he referred to the subject of ecclesiastical architecture, tracing the several styles back to the early periods in England and Ireland. He said that the completion of the tower . of the Waimate Church gave them a realisation of the plan prepared some years ago with the expert and talented assistance of Mr. Petre, the Dunedin architect. The parish was now provided with a very fine church, and it was only fitting that at such a time mention should be made of some of the esteemed pioneers of the Church in Waimate. Among the priests he named Father Chataigner, Father Chervier (who in the early 'sixties walked down from Christchurch to say Mass here) and then that specially beloved priest, Father John Goutenoire, who founded the parish. Among the laity he mentioned several who had left legacies to the Church, including the late Messrs Nicholas Quinn, Michael mcGoverin, John O'Connor, and the well-known figure, L. Tooher. He was very pleased to have the chance of congratulating the people on their generosity. The . contribution of over £2OO

per the collections * ; that day, considering the approach of a big bazaar next month, was nothing short of marvellous. • , .

. ; At- the evening devotions Dean Hills was th« preacneA°*,'_T.: ■". . - .\ ~-~. -: : r '~~- _^-:.:-::: : '' J .---^

_•_"... : To-day (Monday) the contractors for A the tower commenced work on the plastering of the basement of the church as a wholea work that had been deferred for want of funds. ; - *■'. ' ,'

" Next month the peal of three bells to go inside the tower : will arrive. . They will: be rung - by boys to; be trained for the purpose. Necessarily, one bell will often do duty singly, the full peal being reserved for Mass and such occasions. •■' r " * ,;-' v '" "=.

. The parishioners are looking forward to some day carrying out the intention of the authors of : the architectural design of the church—i.e.,- in the direction of carving and otherwise ornamenting all the capitals and windows. Then there is still, further-scope for progress in the installation of stained-glass windows. The congregation already is large enough to fill the church regularly, and the members are proud of the edifice, and it is confidently predicted that they will not rest on their oars till they,have made St. Patrick's a thing of beautya joy for ever. ' '