CHURCH BUILT BY PRISON LABOUR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 290, 27 August 1918, Page 6

CHURCH BUILT BY PRISON LABOUR

EVEN TO THE STAINED WINDOWS.

The completion of the new chapel at the Long Bay Penitentiary, yrhioh was consecrated by Archbieliop Wright last week, is a noteworthy event, and represents a magnificent achievement by tho Prisons' Department directly, and , indirectly by the prisoners themselves (states the Sydney "Sun"). The c'hapcl is a structure which any builder and architect might justifiably envy. It is in every detail the work of prisoners, and on the unfortunate men it'reflects the greatest credit. The structure is after the usual stylo of churches, but overhead is a large gallgry, 40ft. x 3Wt., which is to be utilised by the women. The downstairs portion is for men. The dimensions are 70ft. x 40ft., and there are two vestries, one 21ft, x 10ft., and the olher 10ft. x 10ft.. From the' penitentiary to tho church there is a covered way Sift, x Gft. The chancel is mado of marble, hewn and polished by the prisoners at the lintluirst Gaol, and the benches, splendid examples of good workmanship, were made by the prisoners at Parramattii. The approximate co*t for material was .£2(100. It is not generally kiimvn that flic stained glass windows which worn in tho old church at Dnrhngliurst Gaol were the work of two prisoners, Bertrand and Dr. Pearson, both of whom nt the time were doing life sentences. Bertrand was convicted in IS6G and Pearson in ISO!). The value of these windows was estimated recently at about £'M each.