NELSON CATHEDRAL

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 136, 6 December 1932, Page 14

NELSON CATHEDRAL

THE DEDICATION

WEEK OF FESTIVAL

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

NELSON, Oth December

Tho dedication of tho new Nelson Cathedral and the official opening of

the building on Saturday will be recorded as a memorable occasion in the

history of tho Church of England in New Zealand, of Nelson City, and of

tho Dioceso. It was a most impressive ceremony performed in tho presence of a most, distinguished assemblage of the clergy and public, including Their Excellencies Lord and Lady Bledisloe, his Grace tho Archbishop of Now Zealand, tho Bishopa of Christchurch, Aotearoa, and Nelson, visitors from all parts of tho Dominion, members of the Nelson Diocesan Synod, and representatives of local bodies and institutions. The Cathedral was filled early by a largo congregation, and the impressive and inspiring proceedings were marked with great dignity. The robed choir and clergy assembled at Marsden Church House in Nile street and proceeded to tho Cathedral, where they were joined at the main entrance by Church dignitaries to form a spectacular procession up the central aisle of the church. The clergy were led by the Rev. H. J. Raymer, followed by the Beys. B. O. Plumb, "W. A. Beaumont, H. 0. Brickland, G. Barker, S. Corney, F. J. Daynes, A. T. Milgrew, L. J. M. Mackay, "W. W. Bedwell, W. Edgar, L. K. Collins, L. Ives, E. B. Moore, D. S. Evans, G. Widup, C. F. Saunders, W,. Wollstein, and H. York. Then camo Gallons G. A. Crossman, A. J. Carr, and F. ?Quintrell; Archdeacons G. W. York, J. B. Dart, J. J. Smith, O. J. Kimberley, and J. A. Jcrmyn. Cathedral dignitaries preceded the sub-dean and dean (tho Very Rev. C. F. Askew), who was followed by the Bishop of Aotearoa, the Eight Rev. Frederick Augustus Bennett, L.Th., with him the Rev. Donald Haultain (vicar of All Saints), tho Bishop of Christchurch, tlie Right Rev. Campbell West-Watson, D.D., with him the Rev. Nelson Wright; the Registrar (Mr. J. Williams), the Advocate (Mr. G. Samuel), the Chancellor (Mr. T. E. Maunsell), the "Rev. J. G. S. Bartlett, and the Bishop of Nelson, the Right Rev. William Charles Sadlier, D.D. Then came the Roy. A. T. B. Page, Canon Strong, ana his Grace tho Archbishop of New Zealand, tho Most Rev. Alfred Walter Averill, D.D. The Archbishop dedicated the Cathedral in the following words:—"ln the faith of Jesus Christ we dedicate this Cathedral under the name of Christ Churph to the glory of tlio ever-blessed Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Ghost— Amen. Most glorious God, we are not worthy to make our offerings unto Thee; yet wo beseech Thee to accept tho dedication of this place to Thy worship and service; receive the prayers of Thy servants, who, entering into this house, shall call upon Thee; and prepare their hearts to .serve Thee with reverence and godly fear, that so, approaching Thy sanctuary with lowliness and sincerity of heart, they may be acceptable in Thy sight; through Jesus Christ pur Lord. Amen." Tho lessons were read by His Excellency the Governor-General (Lord Bledisloe), and the service was conducted by the Dean of Nelson. Tho sermon was preached by tho Bishop of Nelson, who chose for his text, "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mcruy and for Thy truth's sake." Psalm -14C: 1. The Biehoptraced the history of tho Church of England in tho Dio-

ccso -o£ Kelson from 21st August, 1842, when Bishop Sclwyn and the Key. Charles Lucas Itcay landed in Nolson and tlie Bishop preached at the afternoon service in the Emigration Barrack, which was on what is now known as Church Hill, the beautiful and historical sits of the present Cathedral. ]?rom that dato tlio Hill has been the home j of the Church in Nelson. In 1542 service was conducted in a large tent, but services had been conducted prior to this in the settlement by the Eev. Octaviua Hadfleld, of AVaikauae, who subsequently became Bishop of "Wellington. However, in that tent a collection! was taken up for the purpose- of cstab-' lishing. a cathedral. A new temporary church was used first in January, 1843, and then followed the period when the people of Nelson, affected by the tragedy of the massacre at AVairau by ■ the Maoris, adjourned to the HUI each night for safety in, a fort which had been established. The church served for nine years until Christmas Day, 1851, when Bishop Selwyn dedicated a new building. In this building Bishop. Hobhouse waa installed and in the same building John Richardson Sclwyn was consecrated to succeed the martyr of Nukapu, John Coleridge Patterson, missionary Bishop of Melanesia. In the same building Bishop Suter was installed. In 18S5 the building was reconstructed and was consecrated in 1887 by Bishop Suter, the sermon being preached, by the Most Eev. H. J. C. Harper, Bishop of Christchurch and Primate of New Zealand. The 1885 building waa demolished to make way for the present fine structure.

Special festival services were held in the Cathedral yesterday, when there were large and reverent congregations. In the morning the Archbishop preached a powerful and inspiring sermon, and a young people's service in the afternoon was conducted by the- Bishop of Aotearoa, the Right Eev. F. A. Bennett. In the evening the preacher was the Bishop of Christchurch, the Bight Eev. C. West-Watson.

Tho festival services arc being continued all this week, and will be brought to a conclusion next Sunday. On Tues-. day a civic service will be conducted by Archbishop Julius, late Primate of New Zealand.