Detention workers renovate church

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32706, 8 September 1971, Page 18

Detention workers renovate church

A party of about 12 ; men from the Sydenham ' Adult Periodic Detention i Work Centre this week • began renovations on the

interior of St Saviour’s, a 102-year-old Anglican church in Templeton.

The men will help parishioners strip and revamish the pews and walls, restore the kerosense lamps in the church to their original condition, paint the sanctuary furniture, and tidy the grounds.

The vicar of the parish of Hornby (The Rev. M. N. Warren), said that the idea to renovate the church had been given impetus by an amount of money which had been bequeathed. Expected housing development in the area, and the possibility of a combined parish with a' local Methodist congregation were also factors in the renovation of the church. A local architect with an interest in old buildings and their renovation had been consulted, he said. . The pews in the church were made of kauri and their natural grain would be enhanced by the stripping- The wall timbers, joined by wooden pegs, a heavilystudded door of Gothic design, and a lych gate which also will be renovated, were features of the church, which seats about 150 persons. CHARITABLE AID The warden of the Adult Periodic Detention Centre (Mr W. J. Croft) said that the men were doing the work as part of a charitable-aid project They, had been sentenced to report to the centre during the week-ends for job assignments, usually at hospitals, orphanages and churches. Their work was both an attempt at rehabilitation and a punishment and they would work under supervision without pay.

When work on the church is completed, a thanksgiving service will be held to which the men will be invited. Another special service of traditional evensong will be held in the church on September 19.