New Ponsonby Baptist Church.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 15, 19 January 1886, Page 3

New Ponsonby Baptist Church.

As we go to press, tho Ponsonby Baptists, together with a fair sprinkling of their Tabernacle friends, are assembled in i force in Jervois Road, Ponsonby, to i witness the laying of the memorial stone of their projected new church. Increased aco >mmodation has for a long time paot been very necessary, and since the present pastor (the Rev. J. Hughes Jones) assumed charge, that want has become more and more urgent. At length Mr Edmund Bell was commissioned to prepare plans and specifications for a new church, and the commission having been executed to the ehtiro satisfaction of the congregation, tenders wero called, and that of Messrs Hutchison and Son („G6B) was accepted. As the new church is to be erected oh the front of the allotment, the building has been removed to tho rear, and will continue to be used as a Sunday-school. A few particulars tuoehing the new edifice may not be out of place. It will be a Wooden building and its style of architecture will be an adaptation of the modern Italian, with brAckefcted cornices and pediment. Th.ro Will bo three windows in front, the oontral one to be a double-mullioned window . with pediment and consols, while the two side windows Will have fan - lights and foliated - cresting work. The vestibule is to project five feet from the line of the building, and will be approached by four stops. The front entrance is to havo a moulded transom and fanlight, with a two-leaved door and pilasters at the sides with moulded consuls and capitals. There will be five windows on each side of tho building, and ventilation is amply provided for. The interior of the church will be neatly furnished. The size of the auditorium is to be 56 x 39 feet, with provision for the erection of a gallery when required. Withoub the gallery, the church will seat about 325 peoplo, and when the gallery is put up there will be sitting accommodation for 75 additional. At the further end of the building there will be two vestries each 13 x 12 feet, and a pastor's room 12 x 8 feet 3 inches. Each of these rooms will have doors opening respectively to the auditorium, the baptistry, and the exterior of the building. The floor of the auditorium will incline upwards towards the front entrance, while tbe rostrum, which is to be surmounted by an alcove mounted with an elliptical arch and carved trusses will stand 2 feet 4 inches above the levelof the floor. The auditorium will have a ceiling below which the tie-beams will project, and be finished up with moulding. This afternoon's ceremonial is to be followed by a soiree in the evoning. Four months is the time allowed the contractor for tho completion of the building.