PAPANUI CHURCH MODERNISED

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30146, 1 June 1963, Page 14

PAPANUI CHURCH MODERNISED

Official Opening Soon The first stage in a £30.00C project to modernise the Papantu Methodist Church in Harewood road is nearing completion and will be officially opened on Saturday. June 15. by the president o! the Methodist Conference ol New Zealand (the Rev. R Thornley). When the final stage is completed the interior of the church will have been reorientated, with the sanctuary where the present entrance is and with the new entrance moved into Chapel street. In the last eight months, renovations and additions costing £16,000 have been undertaken. The 75ft hall north of the church has been renovated and fitted with a permanent stage. Four classrooms and a kitchen have been added in a 72ft by 16ft extension along the north side. To the south, between the church and the hall, is a two-storeyed section containing classrooms and a creche Novel fittings in the construction jn the first stage include a series of trollies, 12ft long, which slide under the stage. The ends of the trollies fit flush with the front jf the stage and are pulled out on castors. They will serve as huge drawers for the storage of stage and hall props. Under the waist-high servery slide between kitthen and hall are sliding doors to allow food to be wheeled on trays directly inid the hall. The architect (Mr J. A. Hendry) plans in the second stage to add further classrooms in extensions parallel to the east wall of the thurch. In the church itself i gallery, capable of accom■nodating about 72 persons, nay be installed. No date has been set for he commencement of the second stage. The work would tot begin until the present work had been substantially said for, the minister (the dev. H. C. Matthews) said /esterday.