ARTHUR’S PASS CHAPEL

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27631, 12 April 1955, Page 9

ARTHUR’S PASS CHAPEL

Foundation Stone Laid 500 PERSONS ATTEND In bright sunshine, almost 500 persons yesterday saw the foundation stone of the interdenominational chapel at Arthur’s Pass laid by the chairman of the Christchurch branch of the National Council of Churches (the Rev. Canon H. M. Cocks). “It was a happy thought that this chapel should be interdenominational in character,” said Canon Cocks, “for at the pass, away from the organised life of cities and plains, social groupings are easily forgotten. “As a rule churches and chapels are built in the middle of a settled community. It is then a place where people worship together, send their children to Sunday school, and find the inspiration and fellowship for their communal life. It may seem strange then to build a chapel up here among the mountains where only a few are likely tp know this chapel as an ordinary congregation knows its church, for most of those who have taken an interest in this project do not live here at all, although their hearts may often be here and they may sometimes be here in person. “What, then, is the purpose of a chapel in the mountains?” Canon Cocks asked. “To city dwellers and plains dwellers the mountains may make a powerful appeal, and people will come to them from far and near for pleasure, recreation, and rest. Having come, however, they may have three experiences which come close to a religious experience. “Humbled by the immensity of the mountains they may also be exhilarated by their grandeur, especially those who try to climb them. This region can also be cold and forbidding, but it has its moments of sheer lover liness and beauty which awaken aft inner exstasy which can be almost painful. “A third experience in the hills is that as you get up higher and look out over an expanse of country, every hill and every valley, every tree and every stream, every boulder and every tussock, fits into a place of its own and gives one the impression of perspective worked out on a grand scale, suggesting a new sense of perspective within oneself, so that even one’s thoughts seem to fall into their rightful place. ..." Canon Cocks recalled how after an Easter service in the settlement three years ago the idea of a chapel there had been mooted, and he expressed the hope that by this time next year the chapel might be opened, dedicated, and paid for. Assisting Canon Cocks with the service were the Rev. R. E. Coulthard, the Church of England minister in Malvern parish: the Rev. L. J. Gibson, Methodist minister at Greendale; the Rev. C. T. Styles, Presbyterian minister at Sheffield; and the Rev. E. T. Jones, a Baptist minister. Five Salvation Army bandsmen in uniform played the music for the hymns. For the servite visitors travelled to Arthur’s Pass in motor-cars and a full excursion train. The service was also attended by hut owners who were in residence for Easter.

A contract for the major part of the erection of the chapel has been let to Mr S. C. V. Murison, of Christchurch. Already the site has been excavated, and reinforcing, shingle and boulders are on the site.