A New Catholic Church.

Evening Post, Volume LXIX, Issue 95, 23 April 1895, Page 2

A New Catholic Church.

» A correspondent writes :— On Sunday last tho Cathoho Church at Pahautanui was reopened after being enlarged, renovated, and repaired. His Grace Archbishop Redwood preached eloquent sermons at 8 and 11 a.m. and 3 30 p m., when he administered Confirmation and gave Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. His Grace arrived on Saturday at Paremata by the 2 o'olock train, and was met at the station with a carriage and pair by the Rev. Father Donnelly and a number of buggies, traps, and horsemen, who escorted the Archbishop to the Catholio Church. On arriving at the churoh the congregation met his Grace at the gate and three hoarty oheers were given him. His Grace thanked the people for their reception, and after inspecting the church, examined tho children in the Christian doctrine, Cateohism, and Soripture. On Sunday an address was read to his Grace by Mr. John Murphy, on behalf of the Catholics of Pahautanui, and to this the Archbishop thanked them, and congratulated them on the great improvements made since he was last there in their ohnroh, and commended the energy and generosity of Father Donnelly, who had arranged the improvements with such taste and convenience. The churoh is lighted by twelve n*w stained glass windows, ropresonting the evangelists and different saints in full life-size figures, which are remarkably beautiful. This portion of the work was exeonted by Mr. Carter, of Martin & Co., Mannersstreet, in exoellent style. His Grace praised tho alterations and improvements made in the building by the firm of Messrs Palmer and Edwards, whioh work haß been done in a most artistic and satisfactory manner, making it appear quite a new ohuroh. (The samo firm has just completed anew Catholio Churoh at Jolmsonville, whioh is one of the finest ohurohes of its type in New' Zealand.) The Fahautanui ohuroh was orowded at eaoh of the services on Sunday, and a Urge number of members of other denominations attended. The children looked remarkably well in their wreaths and white veils, as they took their plaoes in the front Beats. The Rev. Fathor Donnelly sang the 11 o'olook 'mass, and assisted his Graoe at all the Bervioes. Miss Cudby presided at the organ, Miss Gibbs, of Wellington, and Misß Murphy, of Petone, sang the prinoipal solos, and the ohildren sang hymns with devotional effect. His Graoe tho Arohbishnp and olergy were the guests of Mrs. Abbott during their stay at Fahautanui. Sunday was delightfully fine, and numbers oame in brakes and traps from 'Petone, the Hutt, and Ohariu. His Graoe the Arohbishop left for Wellington at 5 p.m., but before leaving promised to return and give a mission for a week, at bis earliest convenience,