Church of St. John the Evangelist, Little River

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 45, 25 November 1925, Page 27

Church of St. John the Evangelist, Little River

OPENING CEREMONY.

(From our Christchurch correspondent.)

Sunday, November 15, will be a day long remembered by the Catholic people of Little River. The fine weather conditions prevailing for weeks suddenly changed on the preceding night and gave place to a howling storm of wind, rain, and sleet that bore every indication of keeping Rev. Father Gallagher, the devoted priest of the district, and his pious, practical flock well indoors, and of making the opening of his beautiful new church a sheer impossibility. However, about midday the much-spent damaging gale abated, and at about 2.30 his Lordship Dr. Brodie, with Rev. Father Lordan, Adm., of the Cathedral parish, and Rev. Father Quinn (Addington) were on the scene preparatory to the ceremony timed for three o’clock. His Lordship having blessed the exterior of the church was met at the front porch by some 200 people and presented by Mrs. Julia Rennell (mother of the contractors) with a silver key with which he opened the door. After the recital of the customary Litanies and the Rosary, several members of the Cathedral choir, who had journeyed out to assist Father Gallagher, sang the “Veni Creator.” In addressing the congregation, among whom were Mr. Geo. Armstrong (mayor of Akaroa), Mr. Dudley' Richards (chairman Wairewa County Council),, the Sisters of Mercy (Akaroa), and Marist Brothers (Christchurch), Father Gallagher extended a hearty welcome to his Lordship the Bishop, who (he said) rejoiced twelve months ago when laying the foundation stone of the church, and must feel delighted to see the work in its completed state another monument raised to the glory of God and the honor of the diocese. To his brother priests Father Gallagher said he was under a debt of deep gratitude, for they had been ever ready to assist him in his difficulties and had shown keen personal interest in the building of the church. Very Rev. Dean Bowers, who had formerly been in charge of the district, in particular manifested the greatest possible interest in the undertaking. During his (the speaker’s) three years’ work amongst them he had found the people of Little River enthusiastic and generous, and he could find no words suitable to express his feelings of gratitude towards them. The fact that the sum of upwards of £2OOO had been realised and spent in two years as the result of the efforts of the 32 families that comprised the congregation, was practical proof of the unity, good feeling, self-sacrifice, and solid religious conviction that existed amongst them. As their pastor he felt'very proud of them and of their achievement. Having reviewed the growth of the church fund (a bazaar which realised £760 4s; social functions, £254 10s 6d; direct appeals, £1352 14s 2d; and donations in kind, £471 10s) Father Gallagher stated that as it stood the building cost £4300, of which £1517 was still unpaid, and he appealed for help in reducing this amount. He eulogised the work of the church committee, who had willingly

shouldered the responsibilities of his suggestions and expressed the appreciation of the untiring faithful services of his two principal office-bearers—Messrs. John Keenan and Leo Fahey. The following donors were specially thanked by Father Gallagher, who also spoke highly of the splendid help given and excellent spirit shown by the non-Catholics of the district : Mr. Rinaldi (a non-Catholic) stone for the fence, and Mr. John Glynan for work for same; Mrs. Keenan (the first Catholic person to settle in Little River and who was present with them at the ceremony), life-size statues of the Sacred Heart and Our Blessed Lady Mr. T. Quealey, marble altar and chalice; Mr. Patrick Fahey, stations of the cross erected in memory of his late son Prankwell-known as a playing member of the M.8.0.8.A., Christchurch Mr. James Watson, electric light and fittings; Mr. James Flynn and Mrs. Flynn, iron gates; Miss Kennedy, set of branch candlesticks; the ladies of the congregation, new organ; Rennell Brothers, massive baptismal font in stone; Mr. H. St. A. Murray (architect), two holy-water fonts. In conclusion, Father Gallagher referred to the honest work of the architect and the faithful fulfilment of their contract by Messrs Rennell Bros., remarking that if the contractors were as satisfied with the remuneration as he and his committee were with the building, then there existed mutual satisfaction as between employers and employees. His Lordship Dr. Brodie feelingly acknowledged the welcome extended to him by Father Gallagher, and expressed his unbounded pleasure at the zeal of his priests and" the generosity of his people. He complimented the architect on the simple beauty of his designs and the contractors on the faultless construction of the beautiful church. To the people of Little River Dr. Brodie offered his deepest congratulations on the wonderful success that had been so speedily achieved. The district carried a misnomer in the word “Little,” because it was'big in its aspirations, big in its achievements', and its people were imbued with lofty ideals and sentiments. As Bishop of the diocese he thanked all who had assisted Father Gallagher in his zealous labors, and invoked the blessing of God on all. Choosing for his text, “Build the house and it shall be acceptable to Me and I shall be glorified therein said the Lord of Hosts,” the Bishop delivered a sermon as interesting as it was instructive and appropriate. He went; back in story to the Old Testament Tabernacles, came on to the Temple of Jerusalem, the building of St, Peter’s and the great monuments of faith through the centuries testimonies of the permanence and stability of our faith. After portraying the dignity and holiness of the ceremonies that would be. celebrated in their hew church the Bishop concluded his eloquent discourse by an exhortation to perseverance in piety and generosity. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was

then given by the Bishop, assisted by ■ Fathers Lurdan and Quinn, the incidental music being rendered by members of the Cathedral choir. Miss' K. O’Connor presided at the organ. The church is built of Halswell blue stone with Oamaru stone facings, and is of Gothic design with a graceful roof of Welsh slates. The walls inside are finished in cement matching the cream stone facings'. Over the sanctuary is a handsomely moulded arch and on either side of the sanctuary in the nave niches accommodating the statues of the Sacred Heart and the Blessed Virgin. The open Gothic roof is elaborately finished; there are sacristies on each side of the sanctuary, and the fine entrance porch is surmounted by a Celtic cross. The lead-light windows by Bradley Bros, are of exquisite design. The seating is of the best figured rimu, and the sanctuary floor of rubber tiles. There is also a fine choir gallery. The marble altar was designed and sculptured by Messrs. Tait, Christchurch, and is a very fine piece of workmanship. The keynote to the whob building is solidity, and Father Gallagher and his people with pardonable pride may consider it second to none for any country parish in the Dominion. • **