EXTRA EDITION. METHODIST CHURCH.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LI, Issue 9068, 14 April 1906, Page 7

EXTRA EDITION. METHODIST CHURCH.

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICES.

OPENIIsvj THE NEW CHURCH,

Advantage wa6 taken of the Good Friday holiday by members of the local Methodist Church to hold special services in* connection with the opening of the. new church in Regent street, the erectioni of which has just bean completed. Although the chuTch which will now Be put to other uses was commodious, foT a long time tne «jxperienoe has been that, particularly on special occasions, the room was altogether inadequate. The need of funds was 'naturally a big obstacle, but by the united endeavors of members and well-wishers that difficulty has happily been? overcome. DEDICATORY SERVICE.

A • dedicatory service was conducted in the new building on Good Friday afted'aoon; tne Revs. S. J. Gibson, J. J. Lewis, T. G. Hammond, and R. Haddon each taking some part in the service. The new hymn .book was used for th© first time. 'An anthem was. well rendered by the choir. Rev. J. J. Lewis gave an, able add/ress, based on Hebrews viii., 1. He said this was a' day of exact science, and Methodism had a well formulated creled. H© described' the moral and religious condition of England in the beginning of the 18th century and briefly sketched John Wesley's life and work, and tne great Tesults which followed, his preaching. The leading doctrines of the Christian religion were brought tinder ne-view, to all of which Methodism was loyal. The preacher drew attention to Wesley's position as a moral Teformetr, and urged his hearers to continue to fight the great evils of the day. .Wesley desired a league offensive and defensive with every soldier of Jesus Christ. Christianity was Bummed up in one word, "Love." The -church was dedicated to the worship of God and the service of man-

TEA AND PUBLIC MEETING. In th© evening, from 5 till 7 o'clock, tea was served in the schoolroom. The

* tables were adorned 1 with floral decorations I and abundantly supplied with choice delicacies which evidenced the liberality and culinary skill of the ladies of the congregation. A large -number of people partook of the good things provided. The following ladies presided at th«_ tables : Misses Clegg, Bailey, Murch, and Sheard, and Metsdames Dixon, Bone, Bates, James, Grinrod, Barry, Gibson, Haitohens, T. Foy and A. H. Foy. Th© Rev. S. J. Gibson presided at the public meeting held subsequently. Rev. R. Haddon announced the opening hymn., and Rev. J. J. Lewis offered prayer. The Chairman (Mr Gibson) expressed his pleasure that the building was now open for public worship. A detailed statement of income and expenditure could not ' just then 'be given } but th* total cost of tihe building with, extras would be at least £155(1 The proceeds of two bazaars, the amounts now paid in and promises yet unpaid with receipts from other sources would total about £1000. The banquet at the. foundation stone laying realised over £30. The names of more than 60 Sunday school children were stamped on bricks in- th© foundation in the front of the building. Each brick represented 10s collected awl the name of the collector was thus immortalised. The tickets for the oratorio recently givfiin brought in a total of £41. The ladies were working for another bazaar, the proceeds' of which, together with a. loan, of £425 from the church loan fund free- of interest, repayable in quarterly instalmeute extending over eight years, would it was hoped put the whole building scheme in a satisfactory financial condition. A number of seate at the back of tne church were set apart by th© trustees ioar the -use! of young men. The Chairman spoke in high praise of the iiber lality displayed by the •contributea's to tho building fund and a reference to the excellent work done by the Rev. C. Porter in initiating th© movement for a new church was heartily applaudedA solo was Tendered by Mies Strack, whose fine voice was heard to great advantage. The Rev. T. G. Hammond cordially we!- 1 corned the Rev. J. J. Lewis to the Taaranaki district. He complimented the congregation on their fine new chuTch, which he desoritied. as the handsomest Methodist church he had seen in the whole of New Zealand. He referred to the early days when services 1 were conducted in a "block house." He noted the great changes, which had taken place in the district since those times and regarded the outlook as most hopeful. Anthem, "Th© Gloria" was well Tendered by the choir. The Rev. J. J. Lewis expressed his pleasure at being present. He congratulated the architect', the- builder and the congregation on the beautiful and commodious chuirch they had elected. The design and execution he regarded as excellent. He referred to the work that wa6 being dona in many lands by th© Methodist Church and Telated some of his own experiences

in connection with the work of the church in various parts he had visited in a. tour round the world. He delivered a. very *fible speech, showing oratorical abilities of la high order. A' solo was 'very .pleasingly given by Mr W. Butchene.

A vote of thanks to all who had assisted in the day's successful functions was moved by Mr E. Dixon, seconded by Mr James Foy, and carried by acclamation. The meeting .closed with the Doxology and the Benediction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING.

From the outside the church building does not present the orthodox appearance, it being built more on the tabernacle 6tyle. It is approached by eight concrete steps and stands on a brick foundation and "well off ,^the ground. At the .top of the steps is a portico and at each end of this is an entrance lobby. Erom'the etepe rise up

two pairs of lonic columns which are mounted by a classical gable and frieze. Above that again is the gable of the main building finished with heavy ornamental barge boards. There are two "small open belfry towers at e«ach of the front comets. The building; ;s; s 83ft long and 04ft wide, the height from floor to ceiling being 26 feet.

From the lobbies the church is entered by two heavy swing doors in cardinal baize. On entering, one i& immediately 6truck with the tasteful finish in the painting and. picking out, which is excellent. The floor is pitched, having an 18 inch fall towards the pulpit and the seats are very comfortable. The seats in the main part of tha church will hold about 300 people, and the seats in the choir about 50. The pulpit is to one side and is neatly built in solid panelling. The ceiling is trussed, in hammer - beam design, and elaborately ornamented. It is divided into five bays which- are subdivided by tht^e panels. From the ceiling are hung the gas fittings, 10 in number and each of 400 candle power, lhe ceiling is painted in a iight straw shade, with the pilasters and roof principals picked' out in oil and varnish. The walls are done in. audeniJ. Facing the congregation are two very artistically written plaques bearing the texts 'Glory to God in the highest. ' "Peace awl goodwill towards men." The s ; de windowsi are tinted marginal lights of muffled cathedral. Convenience has not been overlooked, and there are three, rooms at the back of the church—a porch, the minister'r rocn and the choir room.

Mr J. H. Ciegg was the builder, the contract price bemg £1300. Th© seats were made by Mr E. A. Pacey, and cost about £170. Messrs Styles Bros, did the painting, Mr J. Campbell the plumbing, and Mr Bishop the bricklaying. Mr T. H. Oillman was the architect The church is a very handsome additidn to the buildings of the town, and reflects great credit upon the designer (Mr Gillman^ and all those engaged in its erection.