OF HISTORIC INTEREST
WILLIAMS MEMORIAL CHURCH
TO BE CONSECEATED IN
JANUARY.
(BI TELEOEAPH.—SPECIAL TO THE POST.)
AUCKLAND, This Day.
Deep historic interest centres round the Williams Memorial Church recently erected at Paihia to commemorate the centenary of the arrival at the Bay of Islands of the pioneer missionaries, Henry and William Williams. Tho church has been erected by members of the Williams family, and the foundation-stone was laid last summer by Mr. T. S. Williams, the oldest surviving descendant of Archdeacon Williams. The consecration will take place next January, and ,the occasion willl be' marked by a notable gathering of members of the various branches of the Williams family.
As far as possible New Zealand materials'have,been used for the building and furnishing. Many historic associations are connected with the church and its surroundings.- It is built in the churchyard of the old building, which has been removed to Taumarerc. This was not the original church erected by Messrs. Williams, but the old framework was used when the church was rebuilt, and, although ninety years had passed since the timbers were first laid, the framework was found in fairly sound condition when the building was lately removed. The church gates arc the original ones brought out from England by Mr. Henry Williams over 100 years ago, and the bell which hangs iv thq copper spire belonged to the original church. It was housed not in the church itself but in a tiny belfry built in a tree outside, and for over half a century its musical peal has tolled out over the quiet waters of Paihia. The organ, too, holds interesting historical associations, and is said to be one of the first which found its' way to New Zealand.
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 100, 24 October 1925, Page 6
Word Count
288OF HISTORIC INTEREST Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 100, 24 October 1925, Page 6
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