RUAPUNA ANGLICAN CHURCH.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18730, 29 June 1926, Page 14

RUAPUNA ANGLICAN CHURCH.

OPENING CEREMONY

■ Over two hundred people attended the opening of the new Anglican Church by hi a.Lordship the Bishop of Christchurcli ..(the-ißfc- Eev. -Dr/ Campbell WestWatson). ; Mirny visiting- clergymen were present, including the Ven. Archdeacon P. N., Taylor, Rev. J. P. Wiseman (Ashburtoh), who acted as Bishop !a chaplain, theEevs. A. Tooley. (Methven), J. Hay (Hinds), A. J. Petrie (Lyttelton), P. H. Pritchctt (Christchurcli). Mr J. E. M. Eountree (Christctiurch) acted as cross-bearer. After, the procession reached : the chunrch a service of dedication was held. The lesson . was taken from Psalm 122 and I. Peter 2. From the latter chapter the Bishop took his test, addressing his congregation upon the importance of the spiritual building. Speaking of the gifts which made the church possible, he'mentioned tho names of the late Mr Oliver Baxter, whose bequest furnished roughly half of tho money required, Mr Ballantyne, Mr J. E; M. Eountre.e,; and many others.' Itwas: interesting to note that one of the Maori race had made the Cross, and his Lordship here, digressed to pay. a warm tribute to th e Maoris. During the service' five infants were baptized. They .were: Samuel Gregory Jones, Tui Geraldine Baxter, Margaret Patricia Baxter, Joyce Bosita ■ Moore, Betty Catherine' Mably.

At the conclusion of the service tea was served in the hall.

'The church stands prominontly in tlie Ruapuna'settlement, and has a background of fine pines and gums. It is built largely: of the boulders which occur in great profusion in this district. The seating capacity is, roughly, fifty, although many more were present at the opening. Nearly all the furniture has been given. All tiie pews are individual gifts, and the ..' other furniture was'given as follows:—The altar by the parishioners of Fernside; altar vases by Mrs S. G. Roberts; altar cross by Mr, ;J. E. M. Rountree; altar rails by Mrs G-. W. Ross; candlesticks by Canon Wilford; reading Bible by . Mrs S. Baxter; fair linen by Mrs .T. S. Baxter; font jjy Mr and Mrs Wilson Baxter; prayer desk by Mr G. Clayton; lectern, bishop's chair, and" prayer desk were given anonymously; two pictures, one of the Madonna: and the other of the Crucifixion, were painted and presented by Mrs J. Holland, of Christchurch, and. bear memorial inscriptions to the late Mr and Mrs Rountree. The processional Cross was carved by Hape Uru, of the Ngapuhi, and was presented by Mr J. E. M. Rountree. The well was given by the Rev. Petrie, a, former vicar of this parish. Mr C. Jaine.and the late Mr W. Sandrey acquired'the section for tITS church sixteen years ago, when the estate was broken up by the Government. The building has been a-year in course of .erection, and is not quite finished yet. It is, nevertheless, a handsome structure. 5 .

In the evening a social and danco were held, a large nnmber attending. As a result of the day's effort over £2O has gone to reduce the debt of £IOO on the new chureh. f

" The Eev. P. H. Pritchett is to take the servieo next: Sunday at 3 p.m. Great" credit is due to the vicar, the Eev. J.~ W. ■P. Dyer,, for his energetic organising work.