Y.M.C.A. MEMORIAL CHAPEL

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27531, 13 December 1954, Page 9

Y.M.C.A. MEMORIAL CHAPEL

DEDICATION SERVICE HELD ADDRESS BY MR W. A. BASCAND “There is instinctive wisdom in the choice as a memorial of a chapel that can be a source of renewing of the life of the spirit. In seeking to honou; in faithful memory those whos« sacrificial contribution to our liberty and life was without measure, we d< so in the recognition that so much o what we are, and what we have, is due to them,” said Mr W. A. Bascand, who gave the address at the dedication service of the new memorial chapel at the Christchurch centre of the Young Men's Christian Association yesterday afternoon. Mr Bascand, who is a former member of the board of directors of the Y.M.C.A. in Christchurch and the member of the centre in Christchurch with the longest period of membership, continued: “At this brief pause in the tumult of history, whilst the guns are silent and men are striving to weld a permanent peace, let us pay tribute to those who placed themselves where the fight was thickest, and in the fray, fell, making payment, that we, and the things we cherish in life, might live. “This memorial is to those who fought the good fight. That good fight is conducted not only iir the clash of arms. We honour today, not only men of the armed services; but those who fought selfishness and apathy in this community, the civil defence corps of this city. Men of the board of directors in days gone by such as T. C. Field, J. I. Royds, W. Goss and men of the staff of this institution like G. Stening, E. C. Brownell and G. Green. War is strife, arid strife is not confined to the battle field,” said Mr Bascand. v The . triangular symbol of* the Y.M.C.A. represented the three sides to man’s nature, said the Rt. Rev. A. K. Warren, Bishop of Christchurch, who dedicated the chapel. These three things were the body, the mind and the spirit Much was done z for the culture of the body and the mind but too often too little was done for the culture of the spirit. The chapel was a very fitting memorial to those who gave their lives in the two world wars, said Bishop Warren. Others who took part in the service were Mr Ru A. Marsh, president of the Christchurch centre of the association, Mr J. L. Hay and Brigadier J. T. Burrows, who each read a lesson, and the Rev. H. L. Fiebig, who took the prayers. About 100 attended the service. The chapel has seating for about 25. The furniture is made from polished native woods and the bright glowing pink carpeting contrasts with the pastel shades oh the wall behind the communion table and the ceiling.