NEW CHURCH AT HOKITIKA

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21866, 20 August 1936, Page 9

NEW CHURCH AT HOKITIKA

CONSTRUCTION ALMOST COMPLETED OPENING ON- ALL SAINTS* DAY After six months’ work,kthe construction of the new Anglican Church of All Saints, at Hokitika, is almost completed. It will riot be consecrated and opened’, however, until the parish festival of All Saints—on November 1. The church, wljich Is to the northeast of the old wooden church, is being built in memory of those who died in the Great War. It has its front to Stafford street, and stands on the spur of the hill. The west end is relieved by a large window and the gable is finished in rough weather-boards. An ample porch protects the main entrance. Beyond that is the tower, rising 40ft above the main floor, an integral part of the whole composition, nestling into the angle formed between nave and vestry. In general, the arrangement of the various parts has adhered to the traditional plan for Church of England use. The broad nave narrows slightly at the choir and continues at a lesser width to the east end of the sanctuary. On either side of the choir are vestries, porches, the organ chamber and belfry. An extra vestry and a room for the use of the vicar are placed on the first floor of the tower and above the main vestry. In the top storey of the tower is the bell chamber, designed to take a peal of bells weighing up to seven tons. The roof is removable so that the bells can be hoisted into position when they are required. It is surmounted by a copper-covered mast from which will fly St. George’s Flag on all occasions of ecclesticstical importance—a custom observed in many old churches in England. The new building cannot claim ■to be of any particular style, but on general lines it may be described as Gothic. At least the true Gothic method has been followed by taking’ the local materials and moulding them to shapes appropriate to those materials. Concrete has been used throughout, even to the roof tiles. Curves and undercut mouldings have been eliminated, this being the natural development of the materials employed. Variation of light and shade has been achieved by the formation of breaks and sinkings. The nave is spacious and dignified. A four-sided arch breaks the height and length at the entrance to the choir. The roof trusses are simple, but massive, with a quiet strength. Tall threelight windows with traceried heads terminate the vista at either end, The walls, inside and outside, have been finished with a rough-textured cream cement. Ornamentation has been restrained, but a sunk fret at the junction of the wall and roof and over the windows relieved the interior of excessive austerity. At special places, such as the pulpit credence, sedilia, the communion and chancel rails, the concrete has been more elaborately moulded, the plaster work more smoothly finished, and carving added. The communion table will be wrought in yellow Anama stone, carved and enriched to form a fitting focal point. A few of the fittings are still being made, among them-being the stained glass for the east windows, but everything will be completed by November