Destructive Fire

Hutt News, Volume 21, Issue 2, 12 June 1946, Page 7

Destructive Fire

ST. .TAMES' CHURCH GUTTED GREAT LOSS TO HUTT In its charming, almost old-world setting, and with its historical and hallowed associations, St. James' Church was not only the centre of Anglican Church activities In Lowar Hutt but was one of the outstanding beauty spots of the district, therefore its destruction by fire on Friday morning is regretted by the whole community. Though the walls and steeple still stand, the interior of the church was completely gutted. Almost as a symbol that other things may pass away but the Word ot God endures was the fact that amid the devastation after the fire lay the big Bible, only its cover destroyed. The fire was discovered about 6.30 on Friday morning. The Lower Hutt, Petone and Hutt Park Brigades were quickly on the scene and did splendid service, but as the fire had apparently been burning for some hours before being discovered the interior of the church was gutted before the outbreak was got under. Scene of Destruction There was a scene of devastation after the fire. The valuable pipe organ was in ruins, \ the beautiful stained glass memorial windows broken, the chancel screen that had been erected in memory of church members who fell in the first world war damaged beyond repair, cassocks and choir robes burned, the whole interior a scene of desolation. Anglican Church services were first held in the Hutt Valley in IS4O. In 1848 what is known as the "Old Church" was opened in Waiwhetu Road (now Woburn Road), and pari of this building is still in use as a schoolroom, though on a different site. St. James' Church was built in 1880, being consecrated on March 21 of that year. Since that time it. has been closely associated with the development of the district. Rev. J. C. Davies is . the present vicar. Heavy Loss The insurances were £4 000 on the building, £ISOO on the organ and contents, and £675 on the stained glass windows. The financial loss above these amounts is considerable, and of course the interruption to the church work cannot be estimated in terms of finance. Large sums have already been promised towards a new church, and it is expected that plans for rebuilding will be put in hand almost immediately. On Sunday services were held in the Church Hall. There were large congregations. Site foe New Church When the call for "general business" came at Monday night's meeting of the Lower Hutt City Council Cr. F. Lonsdale referred to the destruction of St. James' Church as a terrible calamity, and said he would like a suggestion from the Town Planner before he moved a resolution. The Mayor said: "Things have gone a certain distance, and I do net think that publicity would be advisable just now." After a whispered conference between the Mayor and Cr. Lonsdale the councillor returned to his seat and the matter dropped. In reply to an inquiry from a Wellington press representative after the meeting Rev. J. C. Davies, vicar of St. James, said that no decision had been come to in regard to the future of St. James's, and nothing could be decided without the approval of the parishioners. It was true that the rebuilding did in a measure enter the town planning of Lower Hutt, but the wishes of the city council were not known in the matter. It would only be with the greatest reluctance that a site more central for the parish as a whole would be considered.