ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 19 March 1928, Page 4

ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH.

FOUNDATION STONE LAID.

AN IMPOSING CEREMONY. Xesterday, in the presence of a large crowd, the new St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church was biessed by the Most Reverend Archbishop Redwood, who performed the ceremony of laying the foundation .stone of the handsome edifice now in course of erection, and which crowned the efforts and long years of earnest work of the late Monsignor P. J. Power, V.F., to whose memory the church was dedicated. Although the building is really only just beginning to show the beautiful design of the architect’s art, those who wtere .present yesterday left with the knowledge that in a few months hence a glorious monument would be /erected, a fitting tribute to the progress made when Father Pezant, who, from time to time, from the year 1847, walked from Wanganui to New Plymouth attending to his very scattered_ flock. The new church, which is situated 1 in Victoria Stieet, is being erected in an ideal position, and a.s it faces the treefringed Manse Street, it commands a charming view. . The foundation stone, which _is of Ci ilian marble, bore the following inscription in Latin:

“To the .greater glory of God, the most illustrious and reverend Francis Redwood, S.M., Archbishop of Wellington, on March 18, 1925, in the sight of a great gathering of clergy and of the people,, placed this first stone, blessed bv rite, of the new Church of St. Joseph, in memory of the most Reverend Monsignor P. J. Power. V.F., Parish Priest, the Very Reverend P. F. Cullen, V.F.; architects, Clere and Clere; builders, J. T. Julian and Son.”

Absolute and tense silence marked 1 the scene as Archbishop Redwood bestowed his blessing at the altar and other parts of the building, led by representatives of the Hibernian Lodge from all parts of Taranaki. A large number of priests also took part in the proceedings. The large choir .of 22 voices conducted by Mr J. Bighorn, sang a litany to the accompaniment of the organ, played by Mrs W. Quin, which added a touch of beauty and splendour to the impressive ceremony. Among the visiting clergy were Their Graces Archbishop Redwood, S.M., and Archbishop 'O’Shea, the Rev. Father TWalsh (Nai-Nai), the Very Rev. Dr. Mcßae, AI.A., Ph.D. (Wellington), Father O’Dwyer (Alanaia), Father McLaugnlin (Stratford), bather Kennedy (Opunake), Father Breen (New Plymouth), and Father O’Connor (Auckland). At the conclusion of the ceremony of laying the loundation .stone, the Rev. Father Cullen, on behalf of the Catholic community of Hawera, thanked Archbishop Redwood and Archbishop O’Shea for their gracious attendance. Archbishop Redwood, said the speaker, was among the best known ecclesiastics in the Catholic world to-aay, and was the senior by consecration in the whole Catholic world. Father Cullen also referred in eulogistic terms of Archbishop O’Shea, stating that the whole Catholic community were proud of him, as. he had been brought up in Hawera, and had received his early education in the district. The people of Hawera accepted his presence at the ceremony as a great- honour. The speaker also thanked the many visiting priests and laity who were present. Archbishop Redwood again addressed the large gathering, and stated that the very fair and beautiful church was a fitting memory to the- Very Rev. Monsignor Power, to whose memory the church was dedicated. They wpre there to thank the Almighty God for having (given them so good a pastor as the late Monsignor Power, who had. been a priest for over 40 year®, of which eight year® had been spent in Wellington with the Archbishop and over 30 years with the people of Hawera.

“I feel proud and delighted to be here to-day to lay this foundation stone, and to leave behind me in memory of the late Alonsignor Power a monument worthy of his name and worthy of .you,” said the Archbishop, in concluding Ills addressIt is also worthy of notice that the late 'Alcneignor Power, during his regime in Hawera, was instrumental in building the first wooden school, and the more recent stucco-concrete school and the presbytery. MORE -EENDS REQUIRED.

Archbishop - O’Shea paid a glowing tribute to tne laity of the diocese, vvho had made it possible for the erection of so handsome a church .which, he said, would be the most lasting memorial to tne late Alonsignor Power. The architect who designed the church, had, during the last few, years, designed a number of churches in the arch-diocese, but the one now in cour.se of erection would probably be the most beautiful of them all. Hie also paid a tribute to the work of the builders, saying that when the building was completed the church would be as excellent a building as human hands could make it. He made an urgent appeal to all to give liberally to wipe off the £SOOO required to have the church free of debt. “They had done a gerat deal, but not .suffi*cient,” .said the Archbishop, and m order to point- out the duty of almsgiving and scli-denialj he added that “It is for your own individual sakes, and you will be benefiting yourselves by denying yourselves in order to help to build this beautiful church.” Father Cullen again addressed the gathering, and in referring to the financial position as regards the actual building of the church, said the accepted tender was £13,600, but the total cost was in the vicinity of £16,000. The late Alonsignor Power, after eleven years’ effort, nad accumulated £11,141. and it was necessary to raise ni further £SOOO before they could have the church eonsecreated. - .After August next, unless the money required was raised, they would have to pay t per cent, interest on the £SOOO, approximately £3so,per annum. The speaker said he had been .round the district, and had .received very good response to the appeal, and had actually received £lB7, and had the promise of several cheques of over £IOO. Father Cullen concluded his address by saying he hoped to be able to announce in the next day’s papers that £2OOO or mote had been collected. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the visitors were entertained at afternoon tea. in the schoolroom. It was announced in church last evenincr that the sum of £IOB3 had been cpllected yesterday. This leaves a balance of £3917 still to obtain be-fo’-e the church is free of debt. In addition to the many activities of the la te Mon signor Power, in his tireless endeavours to further the interest of education in his parish, _ thp old u school has been increased in .size by 30 feet,. a new classroom built. _ and a social hall, in which the ladies of the parish held meetings and euohm parties in aid of the church building fund. Aomngst those present at the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new Catholic Church yesterday was Miss Power, sister of the late Very Rev. Alonsignor Power.