EXTENSION OF ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH, ASHBURTON.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10268, 10 February 1899, Page 6

EXTENSION OF ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH, ASHBURTON.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE. There was a very large gathering at St. Stephen's Church, Ashburton, yesterday afternoon, when the ceremony of laying the foundation stone for the extension ol the building was conducted by his Lordship Bishop Julius. There were also present the Rev. 11. A. Woodthorpe, of St. Stephen's, Ashburton ; Rev. E. A. Scott, Sydenham ; Rev. T. A. Hamilton, Fendalton ; Rev. J. Holland, Rakaia; Rev. E. N. Blakiston, Tinwald; Rev. Harold Purchas, Mount Somers ; Rev. W. C. Orbell, Timaru ; Rev. W. G. Ivens, of the Melanesian Mission ; Dr. Trevor and Mr T. Bullock, churchwardens ; together with the members of the Vestry, Mr C. A. Wray, S.M., his Worship the Mayor (Mr Hugo Friedlander), and the Mayoress, Hon. Major Steward, M.H.R., Mr Geo. Jameson, Mr Mountfort (the architect), Mr J. Maynard (the contractor), together with a very large number of residents irom all parts of the town and district. Apologies were received for the absence of the Hon. W. C. Walker, M.L.C., Mr E. G. Wright, M.H.R., Rev- Canon Knowles, Rev. W. A. Pascoe, Mr A. H. Wilkie, Messrs John Curtis, John Grigg, H. J. Gladstone, and others. The service was a full choral one, a strong choir, under the leadership of Mr H. A. Gates, with Mrs Bowman Fox at the organ, giving specially selected music very effectively. After the stone had been laid by Bishop Julius, Dr. Trevor, at the request of his Lordship, gave a brief history of church expansion in Ashburton. The doctor somewhat amused and surpi-ised his hearers by telling them that the first Church of England services held in Ashburton were conducted in a small back room at a publichouse in the very early days. After this services were conducted in the parish schoolroom, and in December, 1875, tne foundation stone of the present building was laid by the late Primate, Bishop Harper. The building was enlarged in 1880, and later on, when it was entirely *free of debt, the church was consecrated by the late Bishop Harper. It was now necessary to make further additions, and this would cost £1300. Of this sum, over £400 had already been subscribed, the Church Property Trustees were granting a loan of £600, aneflt would be necessary to raise another £300 within a short period. The additions would provide extra seating accommodation for 160. The work was absolutely necessary, and he had e,very hope that the necessary amount to defray the whole cost would be readily subscribed. Bishop Julius then delivered an eloquent address, and made an earnest appeal to the parishioners to provide funds, not only for completing the present additions, but for finishing the church in accordance with the original plans drawn by the late Mr W. B. Mountfc-t. A collection was taken up at the close of the ceremony, and the sum of £28 8s 2d added to what had already been subscribed, it is intended later on to hold a monster sale of farm produce and other goods, and by this means Mr T. Bullock, who has been instrumental in collecting a large portion of the £400 now in hand, hopes to realise at least a clear £100. The remaining amount necessary to make up the £1300, he thinks, will be easily got. Prior to the ceremony of laying the foundation stone the churchwardens, members of the vestry, the choir, and some visitors from a distance took luncheon with the Bishop and clergy in the schoolroom.