CHRISTMAS SERVICES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 300, 28 December 1897, Page 2

CHRISTMAS SERVICES.

The various Christmas services in the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches in the city were very well attended on Saturday, and the churches were prettily decorated for the occasion.

At St. Mary's pro-Cathedral Church, Parnell, on Christmas morning there were large congregations, and Holy Communion was celebrated by the Bishop of Melanesia and the Rev. Canon Mac Murray. On Sunday evening a number of Christmas carols were sung. At St. Sepulchre's Anglican Chnrch on Christinas Day the vicar, and the Revs. Robin, A. G. Purchas and J. Kayll, celebrated the services, which were well attended. On Sunday morning the Primate held an ordination service, the Rev. J. Kayll, who had been assistant curate to the Yen. Archdeacon Dudley for some time past, being admitted to the priesthood. The Primate gave an address, and formally ordained the candidate. In the' afternoon and evening addresses were given by the Bishop of Melanesia and the Rev. C. Marshall.

Four services were held at St. Paul's Anglican Church on Christmas Day, and all were largely attended. In the morning the Most Rev. the Primate, the Rev. Dr. Cowio, preached a seasonable sermon, and in the evening a number of Christmas musical selections were given. On Sunday services were again festival in character. At St. Matthew's Church there were three celebrations of Holy Communion, the Rev. E. M. Cowie being celebrant on each occasion on account of the vicar's illness. In the evening Christinas hymns and carols were Sung, together with special chants and services. The church was very prettily and tastefully decorated.

At St. Mark's, Remuera, there were special Christmas services, and in the evening there was a carol service. On Sunday the festival services were eontinned, and in the evening Mr J. Ryan sang as an offertory solo "Who May Abide" (Handel), and several carols were repeated. At St. Peter's Church, Onehung-a, the Christmas services were largely attended, and on Sunday there were alfto live services, all conducted by the vicar, the Rev. Canon Haselden. In the afternoon the children's flower service was held.

On Christmas Day very interesting musical services were held in St. Benedict's Roman Catholic Church, Newton. At the eleven o'clock Mass Mozart's "Twelfth Mass" was sung by the choir, assisted by a fine orchestra. The Rev. J. C. Darby celebrated High Mass, assisted by the Revs. M. Brodie and C. O'Gallagher. Miss A. Mcllhone was at the organ, and the vocal soloists of the Mass were Misses Thomson, Conway, Lye, Messrs Murphy and Heath. The Rev. Father Egan conducted. At the conclusion of the Mass a march composed for the occasion by Mr H. T. Bosworth was played by the orchestra. Musical services of an attractive nature were held again in the evening, and the same Mass and Vesper music were repeated on Sunday. There was a Christmas service in the forenoon of Christmas Day at the Pittstreet Wesleyan Church, the Rev. W. Slade, of Fiji, preaching. On Sunday special musical services were held in the church.

The Christmas Sunday evening Rervice at the City Hall was well attended. Mr A. J. Entrican presided, and addresses were given by Mr W. Brakenrig and the Roy. F. Warner.

A Christmas gathering under the auspices of the Helping Hand Mission was held in the Western Park on Christmas Day, there being about a thousand people present. Addresses were given by the Rev. W. A. Sinclair, J. Clarke and Sister Kenneth. The Mission Band played some selections. *»■**(-•* ••■"■ -