ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH, LYTTELTON

New Zealand Tablet, 8 July 1915, Page 23

ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH, LYTTELTON

GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS. (From our Christchurch correspondent.) An event, probably unique in connection with the Church in New Zealand, the celebration of the golden jubilee of a church that remains to-day practically the same in every particular as it did when half a century ago it left the builder’s hands, was celebrated in Lyttelton last week. The privilege of observing such a rare and important event having fallen to the happy lot of the present popular pastor and his devoted flock, right worthily did they rise to the occasion, as the series of religious and social functions, so successfully carried out, show. The Early Days. Rev. Father P. J. Cooney, who has collected much interesting data concerning the early days of the Church in Lyttelton, gave the following particulars to a Lyttelton Times reporter: —In the early days of August, 1860, the question of establishing a Catholic church in Lyttelton was considered seriously, and on that occasion Bishop Yiard sent from Wellington the Rev. Father Seon, S.M., as Superior, and the Rev. Father Chataigner, S.M., as assistant, to conduct a Catholic mission. These were the only two priests in the South Island. Upon their arrival it was found that the Catholic community in Lyttelton consisted only of three women and two men, and consequently the priests contemplated removing to Christchurch. On August 22, 1860, however, the ship William Millar arrived in port from Home, and amongst the passengers were forty-four members of the Catholic faith, it being considered at that time that it was the largest body that had arrived in one ship in Canterbury. Owing to bad weather in the port the passengers were compelled to remain on board for several days, but on Saturday, August 26, the weather cleared, and, according to the narrative of Mr. P. Henley, of Lincoln, a passenger, one of the first sights seen on disembarkation was a funeral service conducted by the Rev. Father Chataigner. The newcomers saw the priest and lost little time in making his acquaintance. When he heard of the likely number of adherents to the church he postponed his visit to Christchurch that day, and on the following Sunday celebrated Mass at the house of a Mr. Carroll, in Exeter street. The members of the church gradually became organised, and a little later the Rev. Father Chataigner was appointed parish priest of Lyttelton and Christchurch. At that time Father Chataigner was recog-

nised as the first parish priest in Canterbury, although the Rev. Father Seon had been working amongst the Maoris of Otago and Canterbury some- ten years previously. > ' '• '

■ As the years rolled, on and the population became larger, the need of a permanent place of worship became apparent, and during 1864 strenuous efforts were made to remove the reproach. The proposal was taken up most enthusiastically by the parishioners, and at the end of 1864 tenders were called for the erection of a church, which was to be built on a site in Winchester street, the gift of the Hon. F. A. Weld, a devoted Catholic and at that time Premier of New Zealand. The plans and specifications were drawn up by Messrs. Mountfort and Bury, and Messrs. Graham and Weyburn were the successful tenderers. The furnishings and interior fittings were carried out by Messrs. England Brothers. The contract price for the building was about £I2OO, and it had seating accommodation for 400 persons. The contract provided that grey and red stone was to he used in the construction of the building, and in this respect it was found necessary to open a quarry at Governor’s Bay for the grey stone, and to blast away a portion of the hillside on the Sumner road, in order to obtain sufficient red material for facing. The specifications were for a building 47ft by 26ft, 13ft high, with a porch lift by 6ft, and a bell turret 48ft from the ground. The laying of the foundation stone took place on February 2, 1865, during the spiritual jurisdiction of the Right Rev. P. J. Viard, D.D., Bishop of Wellington, the day selected being the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The proceedings were carried out under the spiritual direction of the Rev. J. B. Chataigner. In the absence of the Hon. F. A. Weld Mr. E. D. Byrne adjusted the stone, under which was deposited a glass phial, containing copies of the newspapers of that day and other information. The church was duly named St. Joseph’s, and on the conclusion of the proceedings Mr. Byrne entertained those present at a dinner. The erection of the building was pushed on expeditiously, and on Thursday, June 29, 1865, the church was opened for service. The day appointed for the ceremony was the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, and the Rev. Fathers J. B. Chataigner and J. Chevrier, S.M., officiated. After the edifice had been blessed, Mass was celebrated, the music being supplied from a

harmonium lent for the occasion-by Mr. G. Taylor. Father Chataigner preached the sermon, selecting as his text the charge delivered to St. Peter, ‘ Thou art Peter, and on this rock I will built My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’ The preacher- congratulated the Catholic residents of .Lyttelton on their energies in finding sufficient money to build an edifice of their own. It was announced also that the amount realised from the collection had practically cleared the building of debt. For many years Mass was celebrated only once a month, but as time went on, it was held more frequently, until the increase in the number of parishioners made it necessary to hold Mass three times every Sunday. Rev. Father Baibieux was appointed to take charge of the parish. In 1873 he was relieved by the Rev. Father Francis del Monte, who remained there until September, 1877. Four years later Father Walsh was appointed to the parish, but after a stay of about twelve months he was relieved by Father Tracy. From January, 1884, Father D. P. O’Connor was in charge, but in March, 1889, he was relieved by Father Kickham. Father Kickham remained only a few months, being followed by Fathers F. E. Loughnan, M. Laverty, and W. Purton. Father Purton remained there from May, 1893, until 1900, when Father P. J. Cooney, the present priest, was appointed. In connection with St. Joseph’s it is interesting to note that It Is the Oldest Catholic Church in the South Island, and probably in New Zealand. Other churches were erected in the Dominion prior to 1865, but as time has passed on they have been demolished or reconstructed. That, however, cannot be said of St. Joseph’s. With much foresight the pioneers built the rear of the building in brick, with the object of facilitating any extension work, but the day has not yet arrived for the undertaking to be taken in hand, and in consequence the building, which is in a good state of preservation, is the same to-day as it was fifty years ago. Another feature worthy of note is the fact that amongst the parishioners to-day is Mrs. J. Loader. She was present at the laying of the foundation stone, and although well advanced in years is still able to recall many memories of bygone days. She was a member of the well-known Pope family, who, shortly after the arrival of the first four ships, devoted much time in the interests of Catholicism. Satisfactory Progress. The area covered by various Catholic institutions in Lyttelton is over an acre. Apart from the church,

the most prominent buildings are the convent and school, which were erected in 1880. Prior to 1890 instruction was carried'out under the guidance of lay teachers, but twenty-five years ago a community of Sisters of Mercy came from Hokitika and took charge. At present ten Sisters conduct the high, day, and parish schools, with an average attendance of 100 scholars. The main

buildings are in a - good state of preservation, and only recently a neatly designed chapel was added to the convent. , t s, Speaking- of the Work of the Church during his fourteen years’ term of office. Father Cooney remarked that very satisfactory progress had been made. ; In spit© of the fact that there had been a general decrease in the population of the port, the number of adherents to the Church had shown a decided increase. The financial position of the parish had been so satisfactory that he had been able to purchase a new presbytery and organ for the church, and also erect a new school for the infants. A new belfry had also been erected at the rear of the church, while the building had been renovated and reroofed. Apart from the expenditure on various improvements, the finances had enabled a debt of £2OO to be wiped off the convent. In all about £I4OO has been raised for general improvements, which must be considered satisfactory when the scope of the parish is taken into consideration. v Of the future Father Cooney was optimistic. He remarked that the prospects were good, and in the course of a year or so he hoped to appeal for funds for the erection of a new school. He was pleased to say that the whole of the property belonging to his parish was entirely free of debt. In fact, the finances were such that a credit balance was in hand, which would later form the nucleus of the school building fund. THE BANQUET. On Monday' evening, commencing at half-past G o’clock, a banquet was held in the fine apartments of the Lyttelton’s Men’s Club, which were festooned and draped with flags of New Zealand and the Allies. The function was exclusively Catholic, and was attended by quite two hundred persons.

The Rev. Father Cooney presided, and seated on his left were Mrs. Loader and Mr. Bamford (both of whom were, fifty years ago, present at the ceremonies of laying the foundation stone, and the opening of the church), and on his right the Very Rev. Father Graham, S.M., M.A., and Rev. Father Hickson, S.M., representing the Marist Order, a compliment to the memory of the fine old pioneer Marist Fathers of the long ago.

During the evening a lengthy toast list was honored. The principal of these were the ‘ Pope and King,’ proposed by Rev. Father Cooney. He also proposed the next toast, ‘ Old Pioneers,’ coupling with it the names of Mrs. Loader and Mr. Bamford. Mr. Bamford replied on his own behalf and on that of Mrs. Loader. Although only having become a Catholic in later years, he (the speaker) had followed the rise and progress of the Church in Lyttelton with the keenest interest, and expressed his deep thankfulness to Divine Providence

for all the blessings he had received throughout life,, and especially in being brought into the fold. Mr. Gellaty and Mr. Sullivan, other old residents, also spoke, and musical items were given by Miss Vera Ryan and the Misses McConville.

_ The toast of ‘ Our boys at the front ’ -was proposed by the Rev. Father Hickson, S.M., in terms that met with the enthusiastic approval of his hearers. ‘ The Visiting Clergy ’ was proposed by the Rev. Father Cooney. He referred to the presence among them that evening of two worthy representatives of the Marist Fathers, and dwelt at some length on the zeal, sacrifices, and achievements of that great missionary Order from the earliest days of colonisation. It, too, gave him great pleasure to refer to his sincere personal friend and erstwhile fellow-student at Rome, the Rev. Dr. Kennedy, who first induced him (the speaker) to turn his thoughts towards New Zealand, and helped him in his ultimate resolve to make the Dominion the future scene of his activity.

The Very Rev. Father Graham and Rev. Dr. Kennedy suitably responded. A recitation was then given by Mr. J. E. Doolan, and Mr. Scanlan gave a number of gramophone selections. Several songs and humorous sketches were given by Mr. MacCulloch, a visiting Scottish entertainer, to the great enjoyment of the audience. Mr. F. McDonald was, as usual, also very successful in several recitations. Mr. J. E. Doolan proposed the toast of ‘The Chairman,’ the well-beloved pastor of Lyttelton, and in eloquently eulogistic terms referred to the work done by the Rev. Father Cooney during the fourteen and a-half years he had charge of the parish. Not alone was their pastor loved and appreciated by his own people, but also by the townspeople generally, and most deservedly so. Father Cooney, besides the spiritual care of, and interest in, the lives and pursuits of his flock, found time to assist in every worthy object for the benefit of the district, and all trusted he would be long spared to continue his work among them. The Rev. Father Cooney feelingly replied. When asked, he said, to take charge of Lyttelton by the late Bishop, he was told that it was a poor and difficult parish, the parishioners being few in number, and not blessed with this world’s goods. His reply was that he preferred the poor, and that his heart was with the working people. Now, after a residence of over fourteen years among them, much had been done, but they were in the happy position of not alone having any debt, but with a substantial balance to their credit. This was due to the help, kindness, sympathy, and cooperation of the people. He was very grateful to his people for all that he was enabled to accomplish. He had always avoided getting into debt, as the payment

of interest more than anything else burdened a parish. He sincerely thanked the committee and lady workers, who had devoted so much time, thought, and energy to the celebration, and especially the secretary (Mr. J. Mahar), whose services, always so freely and generously given, were invaluable. RELIGIOUS CELEBRATIONS. . On the following Tuesday morning, ’ Mass was celebrated in St. Joseph’s Church at 7 o’clock by the Rev. Dr. Kennedy, (Methven), and at 9.30 o’clock there was Solemn High Mass. The Rev. Father Cooney was celebrant, Rev. Dr. Kennedy deacon, Rev. Father Murphy subdeacon, and Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., master of ceremonies. In the afternoon the children were entertained in the schoolroom at a musical programme and other attractions, and at 7 p.m. a special devotional service was held in the church, the occasional sermon being preached by the Rev, Dr. Kennedy.