THE REV. JAS. HILL'S NEW CHURCH.

Press, Volume XLVII, Issue 7525, 15 April 1890, Page 6

THE REV. JAS. HILL'S NEW CHURCH.

The new Presbyterian Church at DevonSrt, Auckland, was opened on Sunday, arch 23rd, with special services. The Bey. James Hill, late of Lyttelton, is pastor of the church. On that night the building was lighted for the first time. The old church has been removed back some distance to serve as a schoolroom, and the new one, which is built on its site, measures 50ft by 30ft, and will seat 230 people, whilst there is also a porch, 18ft by Bft. The roof inside is painted a French grey color, and the remainder of the timbers are stained and varnished. A new pulpit and reredos, handsomely finished, have been erected, and the church ia well fitted throughout, and is lighted by the albo-carbon light. Owing to the liberality of the congregation, the church was opened free of debt. The Bey. James Hill preached in the forenoon. In the afternoon the Rev. R. S. West addressed the Sabbath scholars, and in the evening tbe Rev. R» Sommerville preached, his text being 2X Chronicles, vi., 18. The musical part of the services, both in hymns and anthems, was admirably rendered by the choir, under the leadership of Mr J. F. Bennett. In the' forenoon and evening the church was crowded. The collections, which were for the building fund, amounted to £4010s. At a soiree and concert held on March 27th, several ministers spoke " a word or two " during; the evening, amongst them the Revs. J. Mackay, J. Bates, R. F. Macnicol, G. B. Monro, and R. Sommerville, who all referred in complimentary terms to the general acoustics of the building, and especially to the lighting, which was excellent. During an interval the Rev. R. Sommerville presented the Rev. J. Hill with a handsome gown and cassock from the ladles of the congregation in token of their esteem. Mr BJul assumed the gown amidst applause, and thanked the ladles for their gift, which he said was in perfect harmony with their kindness and thoughtfulness.