Cathedral Centenary Celebrated

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30587, 2 November 1964, Page 1

Cathedral Centenary Celebrated

The centenary of the laying of the foundation stone of Christchurch Cathedral was celebrated at a special service last evening. The Dean of Christchurch (the Very Rev. W. A. Pyatt) said that the actual centenary would be December 16, but because of general rush of Christmas ceremonies the celebration service was held last evening. The cathedral had an exceptionally large congregation for the centenary service, including about, 150 girls from St. Margaret’s College. Dean Pyatt said that at the time when Christchurch was little more than a clutter Of primitive lean-to buildings, bullrushes, and swamp, a band of remarkably enterprising, “or, if you like, cheeky” people had planned the beautiful cathedral that dominated the heart of Christchurch today.

They had enough enterprise or “cheek” to engage the foremost church architect of that day in the world, Sir George G. Scott, to design the cathedral. “Part of the vision was an educational one,” Dean Pyatt said. “If you go to Oxford you will see the great College of Christchurch, and the chapel of Christchurch College is the Cathedral of the Diocese of Oxford. Many of the leaders of the new settlement were men like Godley who came from that college.” After the foundations were finished the pioneers ran out of money and enthusiasm. The work was overgrown and nearly given up for provincial chambers or a town hall, but by 1881 the nave and the spire were completed and consecrated. The choir and the transepts were added in 1904.

“It has been adorned and beautified with every generation since then,” said Dean Pyatt. Negroes Sing The service finished with a big, swinging beat. Five of the cast of the all-Negro musical, “Black Nativity.” sang two selections from the musical to the enraptured congregation. Four women singers from the musical sang their selections from the chancel steps after the Cathedral choir had left. An upright piano was quickly moved into the Cathedral while most of the congregation remained seated. The piano accompaniment for the group was played by another Negro of the company. The congregation, uncertain whether to clap, mostly refrained. But a section of highly, delighted worshippers, particularly of the younger generation, gave the singers a resounding ovation.