A NEW CHURCH FOR WELLINGTON

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 208, 31 May 1935, Page 12

A NEW CHURCH FOR WELLINGTON

Church of Christ, Scientist DEMOLITION OF WELLKNOWN HALL t. A new Church of Christ Scientist is Io be erected on the site of Spiller's Hall, in Boulcott Street, ami ;t start will be made with the demolition of the old hall (in which church has been held for some years) next week. The contract for the new church has been let to Alessrs Christian and Neilsen, Ltd., whose price (£5490) came within £lO of the estimate of the architect, Air. N. R. Liglitbody. The contract for the demolition of the old premises has been let to Alessrs. Cooper and Goulden. . “Spiller’s Hall”, will ring familiarly in the ears of many now approaching the allotted span of life, for it was there that many learnt to dance, and to practice, too, at many a delightful gathering. For years the late Airs. Spiller conducted a dancing class, and for some years most of the more exclusive small dances were held in this hall.

Mr. Lightbody, the architect for the new church, has no doubts as to the use made of the floor, the boards of which are worn thin by the shuffling of many thousands of pairs of feet. The new church is to have a frontage of 44ft. 6in. by a depth of 90ft., and will be constructed throughout of reinforced concrete. The contractors are to commence as soon as the present building is demolished. Some History. i The first Christian Science meeting in AVellington was held at the residence of Aladame Cornier, 21 Buller Street, the only persons present being Aladame Cornier, Airs. Catherine J. Boyd and Mrs. S. Allen. That meeting was held in February, 1910. From June 1, 1911, meetings were held in the room of Air. and Airs. AVilliam Aletz, at the New Commercial Hotel, and later at. their home, No. 117 Grant Road. Public meetings were not held until November 23, 1911, ■when there were average attendances of 16 at the old Alasonie Hall in Boulcott Street. The AVellington society was formed in April next year, and after the title had been changed to “The Christian Scientists of AVellington,” a room in Barnett’s Buildings, 94 AVillis Street, was secured as a reading room. In September, 1913, the existing organisation was formed into a properly constituted Christian Science Society. Owing to the growth of membership it was soon found necessary to secure larger premises, and at a meeting held on August 4, 1915, it was decided to rent Spiller’s Hall. In April, 1920, it was decided to purchase the hall property. These premises have been altered and renovated from time to time, and are still used as the church edifice of First Church of Christ, Scientist, AVellington. Free of Debt. On April 12, 1921, the status of the society was changed to that of “First Church of Christ, Scientist, AVellington, New Zealand.” The Spiller’s Hall building had seating accommodation for 150 persons. On November 18, ■1928, the property being free from debt, a special dedicatory service was held. In November, 1929, the reading room which had previously been situated in Boulcott Street, was removed to a more suitable location in Courtenay Chambers. Courtenay Place. A salaried librarian was appointed in 1928. Aleetings were originally held at 7.30 p.m. on Sundays and at 8 p.m. on the first AVednesday of each month. From August 11. 1912, the Sunday services were held at 7 p.m. AVeekly testimony meetings were first held in October, 1916, and from November 18, 1928, the date of the dedicatory service, Sunday morning services at 11 a.m. in addition to the evening service were held. The Sunday school was opened in 1916 and the number of scholars on the roll at the present time is about ninety. The first lecture in Wellington on Christian Science was given in 1914, and the growth of the movement and the interest evinced by the public is evidenced by the fact that it is necessary to engage the largest, hall available for the purpose of lectures. It is estimated that 1900 persons attended the lecture given by this church during 1931. ■Of the earliest workers in this field, mention must be made of Air. AVilliam Metz and his wife, Airs. Alice K. Aletz. Mr. Aletz, who was associated with an American business house, and Airs. Metz returned to America in 1913 or 1914. Christian Science had then become firmly established, due in a large measure to the efforts of Air. and Airs. Metz.

In the erection of any building speculative outlay on cables and flexibles which have not stood the test of time is unnecessary. The hazard of breakdown. and the practical certainty of limited life, make cheap cables fin expensive experiment. The quality of C.AI.A. British AVires and Cables is remembered long after the price is forgotten.—Advt.