CHRISTMAS SERVICES AND DECORATIONS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9919, 27 December 1897, Page 3

CHRISTMAS SERVICES AND DECORATIONS.

The various churches in the city, as is usual at this season of the year, were ' fiorally decorated in honour of the festival, and .special services with appropriate music, &c., were held. Appended are brief notices of a number of them :— THE CATHEDRAL. Following out the usual custom very little floral decorating was done at the Cathedral, and that which was done was confined to the altar, which bore a larger number of choice flowers than under ordinary circumstances. On Christmas Eve there was a good congregation to hear and take part in the carols, on which occasion the service was Arnold in A, and the anthem " O Zion " (Stainer). The offertory taken up was in aid of the choir boys' recreation fund. On Christmas Day the commemoration services commenced at 7 a.m. with holy communion, at which the Rev. Canon Harper was celebrant. There was also holy communion at 8.30 a.m., the Rev. W. Dunkley being celebrant. Matins were said at 11 a.m. The service was Garrett in E fiat, and the anthem "Angel Gabriel" (Smart). His Lordship '.he Bishop preached from St. Matthew i., 23, "Behold a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel." At 7 p.m. there was evensong and carols. Good congregations attended each service, at which Mr Tendall presided at the organ. ST. MICHAEL'S. At the church of St. Michael and All Angel 3 the decorations in honour of the season were not profuse, but were extremely Eretty and tasteful. The sanctuary had een decorated by Mr Evan Macdonald with palms, ferns, other pot plants and white lilies ; the choir stalls by the Misses Willmer, Hart, Calvert and Bridges with evergreens and white blossoms ; the pulpit by the Misses Parkerson and Cotterill with flowers, in which white lilies and Canterbury bells were prominent: and the font by Mre Curnow and the Misses Bradwell and Miller. It was wreathed with evergreens and white blossoms, *«as covered by a canopy of similar flowers, and on the water in thevessel floated white lilies. On Christmas Eve the Rev. C. A. Fraer conducted a carol service. The same gentleman celebrated holy communion on Christmas Day at 6.30 a.m. and 9.30 a.m., and the Rev. A. W. Averill at 7.30 a.m. and 12.15 p.m. At 11 a.m. choral matins was held, when Tallis's responses were said and Lloyd's Te Deum sung. The vicar preached from Isaiah ix., 6, " For unto us a child is born." At evensong at 7.30 p.m. an address was delivered by the Rev. C. A. Fraer. Good congregations attended each service. Mr Wells officiated at the organ. At the communion services 360 candidates communicated. ST. JOHN'S. On Christmas Eve a carol service was held at the church of St. John the Baptist, Latimer square. The carols sung were " Good Christian men rejoice." " We three kings of Orient are," " Tho first Nowell," "In the fields," and " Good King Wenceslas." M: T. F. F*iu!ker, the organist, played " The pastoral symphony " aud Mr Sullivan sang a solo " Star of Bethlehem." There was a good congregation, and the service was bright and hearty. The decorttiutf •* %i* ohuroh «ki woMdinglj

tasteful. The chancel and arch were decorated with scarlet geraniums, ivy, &c. The pulpit and reading de3k were wreathed with evergreens and Christmas lilies, having a very pretty appearance. The font was a mass of greenery and flowers, including geraniums, lilies, &c. The windows were traced with ivy, having a very pretty effect. On Christmas morning there was a large congregation. The anthem was " Behold I bring," and appropriate hymns and carols were also suDg. The incumbent, Rev. H. C. M. Watson, preached from Isaiah, liii., 2. ST. LUKE'S. The quaint and pretty church of St. Luke's was most tastefully decorated, Christmas lilies and geraniums being the predominant flowers. The chancel arch and choir stalls were wreathed with Christmas lilies, ivy, ferns and holly, and the font was similarly decorated. The windows were traced out with greenery and flowers, and the supporting posts and beams were also decorated with wreaths of flowers, evergreens, &c. Round the church, on the chancel arch and over the altar were appropriate texts having reference to the festival which was being celebrated. There were three celebrations of the Holy Communion during the day, viz., at 7, 8 and 11 a.m., and over ninety communicants were present during the day. The incumbent, the Yen. Archdeacon Lingard, conducted the services, and preached from St. John i. The anthem was from Luke, chap. 2, v. B—ll, and appropriate hymns were also sung. Mr A. J. Virtue, organist of the church, presided at the organ. There were good congregations at all the services. HOLY TRINITY CHURCH.

This pretty little suburban church was tastefully decorated with flowers and evergreens. Red and white were the predominant colours, as being those appropriate to the season. Especial pains seemed to have been bestowed on the font, the adornment of which was much admired. An appropriate sermon was preached on Christmas morning by the vicar, the Rev. W. A. Pascoe, and the musical portion of the service, under the direction of Mr Milner, the organist, and Mr Scott, the choirmaster, reflected much credit on all concerned. An excellent selection of carols was sung on Christmas Eve, and repeated after evensong yesterday. ST. SAVIOUR'S, SYDENHAM. This church was tastefully decorated by the ladies of the congregation, the principal part of the decorations being in the chancel. The table was adorned with flowers. At each side was hung a white banner bearing " Allelulia," and over a gilt cross in the centre a great white "Star of Bethlehem" was a conspicuous object. The font at the west end was tastefully covered with white and scarlet. The service was bright and hearty, the choir rendering the usual Christmas hymns in a very creditable manner. The Rev. E. P. Cachemaille preached from the words, " Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the King of Israel," John i., 49. CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD. The Christmas services at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Philipstown, were maintained on the customary scale. There were three celebrations of the Holy Eucharist, two being full choral. The service was Haynes and Gueritz. At the choral matins the Te Deum was Dykes's, and at evensong the anthem was "The light hath shined upon us" (Silas). The Christmas offering amounted to £23. ST. MATTHEW'S, ST. ALBANS. The decorations of this church were chaste and simple. The altar was nicely set out with white foxgloves and dahlias, the cross being encircled with Christmas lilies. The font also received attention. Wreathing of greenery, picked out with flowers, twined round altar rail, pulpit, lectern, chancel door and windows. The vicar was celebrant at the early communion, which was choral, Gueritz service being used. At the mid-day service Yen. Archdeacon Thorpe was the preacher, his subject being, "No unspeakable gift," and was celebrant at the Com munion. The choir sang nicely the anthem " O Zion that brought glad tidings," Mr R. E. Lake, the newly-appointed organist, presiding at the organ. There were seventyfour communicants. On Sunday the Christ; mastide was marked by special music anc sermons by the vicar. A scholars' service waf held in the afternoon. ALL SAINTS, SUMNER. This pretty little church was very taste fully decorated by ladies of the congrega tion. Over the communion table wen crosses and bunches of Christmas lilies ant white geraniums on a back ground of ever greens, other portions of the chancel being similarly decorated. The baptismal fon was a glowing mass of lilies, scarlet gera niums and evergreens, while at each windov and lamp were small touches of green am red, the effect of all bein? very striking Tlie service on Christmas morning was con ducted by the Rev. Mr Fortune. ST. MARK'S, OPAWA. The decorations in this church were simple but very effective. The font presented a very graceful appearance, adorned with pink cacti, Christmas lilies, and aspidistras. The pulpit, lectern and prayer desk were decorated with Japanese privet, Canterbury bells and toi-toi grass. The altar rails, choir stalls and chancel were decorated with flax and toi-toi grasp. The various services were well attended. The Yen. Archdeacon Cholntondeley officiated, and preached at the midday service from John i., 1 and 14. The anthem «- For unto us a child is born" was ably sung by the choir, Mr C. F. Turner presiding at the organ. A selection of carols was sung at the close of the evening service on Sunday. PRO-CATHEDRAL. At the Pro-Cathedral, Barbadoes street, on Christmas Day, mass was celebrated from 6 a.m. to 11 by the Redemptorist Fathers. At the 11 o'clock service Haydn's No. 1 was sung, with orchestral music by Signor Gerbnsi's band. The offertory piece waa "Adeste Fideles." Father Barry, C.S.S.R., sang high mass, the Rev. Father Mangan and Father Huault acting respectively as deacon and sub-deacon. Father Hegarty was M.C. and Rev. Father Hegarty preached on the nativity. In the evening the Rev. Father Mangan preached on "Human respect," and the solos in the "Adeste Fideles" were taken by Mrs Kelly and Miss Annie Hayward. The service ended with benediction by the Rev. Father Cummings, V.G., assisted by Rev. Father Bingham, C.S.S.R., and Father O'Connell. The church was prettily decorated. In the north-west corner of the building was a representation of the manger in which the Saviour was born, and in the sanctuary was a beautiful banner presented by the Sisters j of Mount Magdala. Yesterday services were held from 5.30 ! a.m. till 11 a.m. At that hour solemn high mass was celebrated by Rev. Father Mangan, Revs. Fathers O'Connell and Huault acting as deacon and sub-deacon respectively. Father Bingham preached on tbe " Death of the Just." The music, Haydn's No. 2, was admirably sung. In the evening the Redemptorist mission closed, and the church was crowded to excess. Rev. Father Barry preached on "Perseverance." Rev. Father Cummings thanked the Redemptorist Fathers on behalf of the bishop and clergy tor their work during the past month. Yesterday afternoon Rev. Father Cummings paid a visit to Mount Magdala and gave an address to the children. ST. MARY'S, MANCHESTER STREET. Services at St. Mary's, Manchester street, began at 6.30 a.m. At 11 a.m. solemn high mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father Marnane, Revs. Fathers O'Connell and Goggin actingr espectively as deacon and sub-deacon. Rev. Father Goggin preached on " The Nativity." The music was a full choral service, under the direction of Mr H. Rossiter. The church was decorated with ferns and evergreens, and the sanctuary contained some pretty bannerete. In the side chapel was a representation of the manger where our Lord was born. AT KAIAPOI. St. Bartholomew's church was decorated for the season of Christmas with evergreens and lilies in such a way as to give a pretty effect, while the altar and the table were covered with a handsome white and gold covering, and the chancel was made to look very pretty. Early communion was conducted by Rev. H. H. Mathias, vicar, and the service was fully choral. At eleven o'clock service was conducted by Mr H. R. Butcher, lay reader. LYTTELTON. On Saturday special services were held in • all the churches, and special Christmas ' music was used yesterday. ' » RANGIORA. The usual Chrittmaa service,! were held in ' 1 tho English ohtuoh ou ChrUtati Iky, til

being well attended. There were services atß a.m. and 11 a.m., with holy communion, the Rev. F. P. Fendall boing celebrant and preacher. Appropriate hymns were sung, Miss Gardiner presiding at the organ, and the church was nicely decorated. At the Catholic church there was mass at 8 a.m. | and 11 a.m., and benediction at 7 p.m. I The church was enlivened with flowers and fernery, and appropriate hymns were sung, I a soloin the evening being taken by Miss Boyd. , LINCOLN. I Service was held in St. Stephen's, Lincoln, St. Mary's, Springston, and St. Paul's, Tai Tapu, on Christmas Day, the Vicar officiating in each church. Congregations were not large, and decorators had been few in number, but those who did come worked diligently and skilfully, and considering the difficulty of obtaining decorations this dry season "the decorated churches looked bright and well. The crosses, made of white lilies and roses, wore perhaps the finest of the decorations. A carol service was held at Lincoln on Christmas Eve. ASHBURTON. Mass was celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church at midnight on Christmas Eve, and the Rev. Father O'Donnell delivered a powerful address to a large congregation, representing many denominations. Special services also were held on the morning and evening of Christmas Day. The church was very tastefully decorated. Special services were held in St. Stephen's Church, Ashburton, on Christmas Day. There were two celebrations of holy communion, with sermon at the midday service. A special choral service was held in the evening, with an address by the vicar, the Rev. T. Hamilton, and readings by members at the church. The building was nicely decorated with flowers and evergreens and appropriate mottoes.