NEW ANGLICAN CHURCH

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21377, 21 January 1935, Page 11

NEW ANGLICAN CHURCH

# ST, JAMES'S, SOUTHBRIDGE MEMORIAL STONE LAID

The ceremony of laying the memorial stone in the porch of the new St. James's Church took place at Southbridge yesterday afternoon before a large gathering of parishioners and residents of the district. Many former residents, including those whose parents, or who themselves were associated with the church in former years, were also present. The stone forms a connecting link with the old church, which dates back to 1864, and which was destroyed by fire a year ago, and the new and permanent building which is to take its place and which, it is expected, will be ready for use in August. The ceremony was conducted by the Bishop of Christchurch, Dr. Campbell West-Watson, who was assisted by Archdeacon Petrie, of Ashburton, and the vicar of Southbridge, the Rev. C. L. Wilson. Old and favourite hymns were sung, the accompaniment for which was played by the Ellesmere Brass Band, under the conductorship of Mr L. C. Vicary. The band also played selections while afternoon tea was being served. Much regret was expressed at the absence of Mr Hastings Bridge, who is still suffering from the severe injuries he received in a motoring accident some time ago. Mr Bridge is closely identified with the church at Southbridge, for his father gave a 20acre block for church purposes, and Mr Bridge is one of the few survivors who can recall the original church being built in 1864. The Bishop expressed regret, which he knew was shared by the parishioners, that Mr C. Hastings Bridge had been prevented by a serious accident from being present to perform the laying of the memorial stone. Mr Bridge had been asked to perform the ceremony as the representative of one of the earliest' families to settle in the Southbridge district.

There had been many regrets when tragedy had robbed the people of their old church with its precious memories. Thanks to the generous givers and benefactors, and the labours of the people, there was a fund bymeans of which they could proceed with the erection of the new and permanent church, and he was sure that they would love the new one as much as \hey did the old. The memorial stone would serve as a link between the new and the old, making one continuous House of God, and he trusted that the spiritual life of the parish wQuld be one of continuous growth as the years passed by. The Bishop emphasised that in building the permanent church they were doing . more than making a structure of bricks and mortar; they were making a testimony that their faith was built on a solid foundation, and would be a challenge and a witness to their faith in the coming centuries. Bishop West-Watson went on to state that it was also for individual lives to be based on the rock which was Jesus Christ, something which was real and lasting. The same was also true of family life. The strength of a nation lay in its homes. Where the teachings of the Christian Church were observed in the homes, the children would grow up to enrich the nation's life. National life, too, must be based upon a solid foundation. He wished that this was recognised more in education, but he was glad to know that many of the clergy and ministers of other denominations were taking advantage of what opportunities the present system offered of teaching the children the principles of Christianity. No nation could be a happy one unless it was united in a common standard of ideals to the glory of God and the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ. In this splendid new land they should stand together and claim the nation for that high ideal. In international life some solid foundation was necessary, some common standdard of ideals upon which to build international friendship and lasting peace. There.were those who thought that foundation could be politics or economics, or philosophy, but the only sure foundation was that which was found in the teachings of Jesus Christ.