ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 206, 1 September 1898, Page 3

ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL.

The choral evensong in connection with the consecration of St. Mary's Cathedral took .phi...' on A-U.\ -.!.. ■• - "<- ---building being croAvded to the doors. From seven o'clock to twenty mii;iitt-S to eight an organ recital Avas given by the organist, Mr Leslie Hunt. At eight the service, was.commenced by the singing of the Processional Hynm 179. Among those in the procession Avere the Primate, Bishop .Wains, Archdeacons Clark and Willis, Canons Nelson, Haselden, Walsh and-.Ca_d.er, the Revs. Wilson, Smallfield, McNiekle, Watson, Davis,' Gillain, Hawthorne, and Beck. Canon Walsh acted as master of ceremonies, and tlie pastoral staff was carried, by the Rev. iv M CoAvie, chaplain to the Primate Prayers were sung by the Vicar and special Psalms were eh-uiteu.. _ lue first -lesson was read by the Bishop of Welington, and the second by the Primate. The anthem was. a composition written specially for the occasion by the Cathedral organist, Mr Leslie 'Hunt, its title being 0 How Amiable Are Thy Dwellings. The tenor solo in the anthem was rendered by Mr E. S. Gibson. The sermon was- preached by the Rev. Joseph Campbell, M.A;, from Haggai n. 9 'The "-lory of the latter house shall be greater than the glory of the former' Durihg the offertory thesolo 'The Eves-of All Wait Upon Thee' was sung by Mrs Coates. :The7service was closed by the singmg of hymn 306, sung'as. a Recessional.

DESCEIPTION OF THE BUILDING.

The main portion of the heAV.buildin°- which Avas consecrated on August 25 P'consists of a nave 99 feet long by 32 feet broad, with side aisles 12 feet 6 inches wide, and a projection of 42 feet for choir and chancel of- the same width as tlie nave. The organ chamber, 20ft. by 15ft., is situated at the

, : -.'■ _;;_;.. ■ ;■■>.-■■■ - ; ; /;-■ ."■; _:■.;." :1 ""/. ';':■. yy/.y""::'. '-"!'] •'south-east; corner, and the., bapistry i stands at the south-west;; and. a projec-, tion of 17 feet beyond the west front forms, the,sacristy. Four glass doors,;' approximately one at 7each. corner,; afford convenient entrance and exit. The main walls are 24 feet high, the side walls 15 feet, ahd the total height to: the ridge is ,48' feet. The walls .are I sheeted externally with vertical board-; ing, with strong courses. The roof is ; covered with slates over tarred felting,and. the ridge is capped with red j crested tiles, a handsome wrought j iron cross being placed over each gabie; and. on the apex of the roof of the;! chancel apse. The site slopes bade in j a westerly direction from the Manu-1 kau Road, which is faced by the hexagonal apse of the chancel, and from which a fine view is obtained of the building. Advantage has been taken of the difference of level to form a basement story in which room ;has been found for a large choir, vestry a,nd a. verger's store roora, etc., and in which it is intended ultimately to build a strong room. The basement story and the foundations throug-hout are of brick on a concrete foundation, the walls being provided with air grates at convenient intervals. The ground plates are of totara, the frame and external sheeting of kauri, and the lining of alternate kauri and rimu, all heart timber and of the very best quality obtainable.

The style of the building is chacterised by strength of purpose and honesty of execution. There is a complete absence of meretricious ornament, 'and the general effect is harmonious and satisfactory. This is especially noticeable in the interior, where the lines of construction are visible throughout, and where the massive proportions of the timbers give an appearance of boldness and solidity generally quite^ foreign to a wooden church.

The nave is divided into seven bays by piers IS inches square, wrought and beaded at the angles'. Over the arches of the bays an open arcade runs the entire length of the building and forms the triforitim. The roof is open timbered with heavy principals, double cross braces and octagon king pendants terminating in moulded caps. The frame is strengthened throughout by wrought iron straps and screw bolts, The general lining is of alternate kauri and rimu boards "cut to a feather edge and placed vertically, and a dado of similar material placed diagonally is carried round the building.

The arrangements for choir and chancel are superior to anything of the kind in Auckland. The choir is raised four, steps above the floor of tha-'iiave, from : which it is separated by a loav screen of Avrought timber; three further steps lead to the . sacrarium, and , tAvo more to the altar. There are three rows of stalls at each side with desks for cantor and dean, and it is hoped that in time a bishop's throne will occupy the usual place at the northeast angle. An open screen separates the choir from the organ chamber. The pulpit and lectern are very handsome, ancl their chaste design and excellent Avorkmanship show that it is quite imnecessarj' to send to England for church furniture. They were both made by Mr Gay, of Parnell, from designs supplied ]Sy tbe architect, and are in complete harmony with, the rest of the building.

The baptistry is approached through an arch from the Avesterhmost bay of the south aisle, and contains a stained glass window, whiph was originally erected in the old church to the memory of the late Arehcleacon Kissling, the first incumbent of the parish. The rest of the Avindows'are of cathedral glass of three tints set in leaded quarries. The lighting of the church is effected by gas coronas, bracket and standard lights, of Avhich two very handsome brass standards occupy the place of honour in the chancel. The arrangements for ventilating are excellent; and last but not least, the acoustic properties are perfect, a voice of the most moderate compass being distinctly audible throughout the building Avith a complete absence of echo.

Speaking generally it is stated that the Cathedral of St. Mary's as it now stands completed is second to no building of the kind in the colony, and in point of design, completeness and beauty reaches a high .level mark not yet approached in the diocese. It is one of the most successful' achievements of the late Mr B. W. Mount!ort, of Christchurch, Avhose lamented death has deprived the colonies of a man freely admitted throughout Australia and NeAv Zealand as being facile j princeps in ecclesiastical architecture. Fortunately for St.. Mary's parish -. and for the diocese -of Auckland Mr Mountfort's design fell into good hands, and the manner in Which it has been carried out reflects the highest credit to all concerned; to the Vicar and the Vestry of the parish and the donors and benefactors, as Avell to those to whom the provision of materials and the work of construction has been entrusted. ■

The foundation stone Avas laid in 18SC by the Most Rev. the then Primate of NeAV Zealand, Bishop Harper, of Christchurch, in the presence of the Bishops and other members of the General Synod.

The first portion of the building, including the. choir ancl chancel, the organ chamber and 3 bays of the nave, was built during the incumbency of the Rev. G. H. S. Walpole and opened by the Bishop of Auckland. The remaining portino, including the four remaining bays of the nave, the baptistry, the sacristy and the choir vestry have just been completed under the supervision of Mr Arthur P. .Wilson,, architect, by tbe contractor, Mr R. R. Ross, of Mt. Eden.' The timber was supplied by the Waitemata Timber Co. and the windoAVS were made by Mr T. Herbert,,manager of the Auckland Premier Joinery Co. Among-st the furniture and accessories are several valuable gifts from parishioners."