DESCRIPTION OF THE CHURCH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 95, 23 April 1902, Page 2

DESCRIPTION OF THE CHURCH.

The. church, when completed, will be the finest in the colony, though not quite so large as the Ohristchurch Cathedral. It was designed by Mr P. L. Pearson, the leading ecclesiastical architect of the world. Oamani O.K. stone will be used throughout in the construction, the plinth cousrsting- of three feet of bluestone. The main entrance will face Hob-son-street, while the spire will be on the north-eastern corner, nearest Wellesley-street. There will be two entrance doors, to the main porch, leading into separate aisles. The main body of the church is 79, feet long, by 76. .feet wide, and further seating accommodation is provided in a ga-llery above the western entrance. The nave will be thirty feet wide and nearly fifty feet high, with bold cross arches. It will be flanked by double aisles, which will be kept low and vaulted. This will allow of a lofty nave Clerestory, affording aurple light and ventilation. The design "of the chancel provides ample width for the stalls and! other fittings, and, for an ambulatory all round. This portion of the1 church, as also the chapel and tower, will be vaulted in stone. The south transept will have a simple open timber roof, and will be lighted by a large witidow at the end. The tower will tye surmounted by a steeple, the total altitude", of both to be 204 i'eet. The lower portion of the * tower will be utilised as part of the morning chapel, which will be on this side of the churoh, and will have a direct entrance from Wellesley-street, and convenient communication with the vestries below. The ladies' choir will be on the north side, behind the choir stalls. There will be spacious accommodation for the organ in the south-west portion of the building in a loft above the level of the congregation. The pulpit i's on the righthand sMe of the church. The main body of the church is lighted by side windows, ten being placed in each wall, as well as by large windows in the east and west sides. The vestry accommodation will be • wholly in the basement. Ventilation will be provided for by introducing *resh air through the sills of -the lower windowis, with external gratings and internal; hit-and-miss valves. The wood-work will be mainly kauri, while for the choir stalls and altar tables'rimu will be used. The pfulpit and font will be of stone, and the altar rails of brass. The roof will be slated. The total cost of the church will be £30,000, and the contract time for its completion is three years. The design is a replica on a small scale of Truro Cathedral, designed and built by the same firm.

The warships Royal Artimr, Ringurooma and LLzard returned from a cruise in the Gulf to-day and anchored off the Que«n-street wharf.