BOLD AND DIGNIFIED

Evening Star, Issue 23351, 22 August 1939, Page 3

BOLD AND DIGNIFIED

ROMAN CATHOLIC PAVILION ARTISTIC ARCHITECTURE AT EXHIBITION CONSTRUCTED WHOLLY OF BUILDING BOARD * _____ One of the most striking structures within the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition at Rongotai will be the pavilion of the Roman Catholic Church in New Zealand. Mr Edmund Anscombe, architect, has designed a building extremely modem and yet bold and dignified —one that none could possibly pass without noticing. Its severe lines, devoid of the parapet or cornice, extend to a structure designed in three sections. There will be a tall, stately central block, with two rounded buttresses the full height of the' building, standing out on cither side of a deep recess. This recess will form a striking feature. There will be exquisitely designed glass-panelled doors on ground level (admitting to the pavilion) on each side of a sculptured Christ in low relief, standing erect with outstretched arms. This figure will be 15 feet in height, and as it will be in perfect proportion, it should dominate the central exterior facade. Probably the background to part of the statue—for that is what it will appear to be at some little distance —will be an artistic stained glass window. The order for this window was placed some time • ago with Mr Harry Clark, Dublin, said to be the finest stained glass artist in the world, his work excelling even that of the craftsmen of Lyons or Munich. The apex of the central section will_ be a golden crass. The other two sections of the building will project on either side of a lower elevation, in addition to which there will be a rounded annexe on the rightband side. WINDOWLESS WALLS. There are to be features to break up the severity of the windowless walls. There will be murals depicting the apostles—six on each side. These decorations will be 9ft in length by 2ft 6in in depth. Other statues to be placed on each side of tho budding have been ordered from the Maria i’Aash Monastery (Benedictine), in the Rhineland. The monks in that monastery are said to be the leading exponents of modern eccleciastical art, and the opportunity of seeing their \ work will not be one of the least attractions to be offered by the pavilion. The building as a whole will have a frontage of 55ft by a depth of. 25ft, and the tip of the cross will be 30ft above floor level. Father Gascoigne, who has had in hand the organising work in connection with the pavilion, stated that Mr Anscombe’s design approximated the. very latest trend in ecclesiastical architecture, as seen in Holland and Belgium particularly. Constructed of building board, the finished tone will be ivory, which should stand out against the purple background. INTERIOR DISPLAYS. The interior of the pavilion will be just as interesting ns the exterior. The main object of the interior displays will be to illustrate as far as is pos- , sible the history of the Catholic Church in New Zealand during tho last 100 years or more, and the work of the church throughout the ages. There will be models. One will illustrate the work of the sisters among the lepers on Makogai Island—a nun ministering to an afflicted native —all life-sized figures. There will also be friezes or murals which will .symbolise the •outstanding milestones in the history of the church from the time of its foundation. Another idea Father Gascoigne has in mind is the utilisation of the photo montage” idea in depictingoutstanding achievements by the Poipes, in particular the groat fight for peace waged by the late Pope and his successor. This can be done very effectively by the use of photographs illustrative of the distraught state of humanity—marching troops, moving tanks, swooping bombers, and so on — . with symbolic figures gazing with unfailing faith and hope toward a figure representing His Holiness. It is proposed that murals should adorn the interior walls showing the part the church as played throughout the ages in art, literature, and science. Those interested in art will be interested to learn that the low-relief . statue and the murals of the Apostles have been designed by Sister Lawrence, of St. Mary’s Convent, Hill street. 'Wellington, whose work is generally admired. The ipavilion will be in a prominent position in the general exhibits wing, on-the'northern side of the main exhibition structure.