TAURANGA. CATHOLIC CHURCH AT OTUMOETAI. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXV, Issue 3672, 26 April 1869, Page 4

TAURANGA. CATHOLIC CHURCH AT OTUMOETAI. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

I FORWARD the following additional particulars of the Catholic (Jhuroh at Otumoetai : — On entering the building the attention of the visitor is attracted by various emblems of a religious character inscribed on prominent portions of the massive timbers which compose the roof, the firtt of which is "Tanei te whare ote Atua pono" (This is the house of the tiue God). The next is " Hato Hohepa" (St. Joseph). A third, "Kia wehi koutou ki toku aroaro" (Approach my presence with holy awe). On the spaces between a row of pilasters on the gospel side reaching from one end of the church to the other are the following words, "Arohnkita Atua" (Lore God). On the epistle side are noticeable the following words, "Aroha kia Maria" (devotion to the Mother of God). Nothing could surpass the beauty of the Maori sculpture and symbolical representations which adorned the canopy enshrouding the sanctuary. It would be almost impossible to enumerate all the devices with which this portion of the building was literally covered. Amongst them were prominently displayed a dove representing the descent of the Holy Ghoßt. The portion of the sanctuary forming a section of a dOQ?O OVer the alfc.r represented in a most lively manner the firmament of heaven, giving a most solemn aspect to that sacred portion of the church. The tabernacle placed on the centie of the altar, surmounted with a large cros*, had a very imposing effect ; iv fact, to enter iuto the minutise of the various religious ornaments observable in the sanctuary would occupy too much space. In the entrance of the church is an elaborately carved font for holy water, executed by tha natives, composed of clay t 'ken from the nga wha or burning Bprings of liotorua. Afc the epistle corner is another baptismal font, which is not at all inferior in workmanship to the former. On the interior of the church walls are the stations of the cross, in which are given a full description of the life of our JLord, displayed in eugravings framed with elaborately carved kauri timber all dissimilar in design. All the implements employed ia the crucifixion wero obf>er»able. The bleeding heart, crown of thorns, sponge, and spear with which the side of our Saviour was pierced, the hammer with which the nails were driven, the pincers by means of which they were extracted, the ladder by which His removal from the cross was accomplished, and all the aacred inntiuments were fully represented. The ex- j terior of the building is very attractive, and the situation exceedingly picturesque. The Vicar-General the Very Key. Dr. McDonald has been occupied in selecting a site for the church, school, and presbytery.