THE RE-OPENING OF ST MARY’S CHURCH

Hokitika Guardian, 11 August 1928, Page 2

THE RE-OPENING OF ST MARY’S CHURCH

Sunday, August 12th, has been fixed for the reopening of St. Alary’s Church, Hokitika. His Lordship Bishop Brodio will be present at the opening and it is expected that there will bo a record attendance of parishioners and tlieir friends to mark such an important event as the completion of the very fine edifice.

St. Alary’s was begun by the late Rev. Father John Clancy, S.AI., in 1914,. the foundation stone being laid by the late Dr Grimes on Alarcli 20tli, 1914, Afass was first celebrated in the clnmt-h on Christmas Dnv. 1914, the construction work being then complete, though the building was unpl astcred.

In 1922 the outside of the church was .plastered, but it was only in April of the present year that the work of completing, plastering and decorating the interior was begun. Alessrs Williamson and Co., of Christchurch; carried out the work from designs and specifications of Mr H. St. A.. Murray,- architect, Christchurch, and the church as it stands to-day completed, reflects the greatest credit on those responsible for the undertaking and for the carrying out of the work.

The dominant note is tlie perfect simplicity and restraint of the decorative scheme. The distinctive character of the Roman architecture, worked out in all the details of arches, fluted columns, pilasters, caps, and mouldings is seen to great advantage. The proportions of the church, the harmonious lines, and the fitness and suitability for its purpose leave nothing to be desired. Various structural alterations have been made, notably in the Sanctuary, side altars, and tlie choir. The Sanctuary has been extended by the curved outline of the new massive altar rails.

A striking feature calling for admiration in the Sanctuary is the domeshaped ceiling with exquisitely wrought decorative effects in fibrous plaster. ‘The parquet floor is also very fine. It is carried out in oak, with a blackwood border and lias been polished with an - electric surfacing machine.

The ivory-white side altars with tlieir Romanesque niches for a background, beautiful pillars and symbolic triangles are soul-satisfying. The woodwork throughout tlie building is particularly -fine. The walls of the Sanctuary, Nave and porch are artistically panelled to a height of 7 feet. Tlie finely chosen Rimu lias been oiled, French polished, and varnished, < thus bringing out tlie grain to perfection. Two well-built confessionals at the rear of the church are also carried out in Riimu.

Tho walls above the panelling are finished in blue diamond liardwall plaster and are enhanced by rich and varied entablatures. On either sidewall of the Sanctuary lead lights in keeping with those of the Nave have been placed. Four massive fluted columns stand between tlie Sanctuary and the Nave and many similar smaller pillars decorate the Sanctuary walls.

The building is lighted by electricity, and a special study has been made of the ventilation. The ceiling of the Nave has been redecorated and presents a fine appearance, fibrous plaster battens and rosettes marking off tlie original poilite panels. The ceilings of the porch, baptistry, stair hall and sacristies are all newly pnnnel led with fibrous cement sheets. Handsome lead-liglited double doors lead from the church into the porch which is to be tiled in mosaic in tlie near future. The baptistry, library, and choir, and tlie two sacristies are all specially adapted for their purpose.

In tlie sacristy is a vestment press of excellent workmanship, made locally at Messrs O’Connell and Caliari’s factory.

Behind the high altar and facing the entrance door hangs an appealing life-size Crucifix—a memorial to the late Dean Martin. On the walls are beautiful new stations of the Cross i—the paintings by Morgari, the frames in dark oak, of a design in keeping with the general scheme. These have been given by various parishioners in memory of deceased relatives and friends. In the porch are placed two handsome marble Holy Water Fonts, also memorial gifts. The church to-day complete, beautiful and dedicated toi the Highest Pur]x>se is a shrine worthy of the devotion of its congregation and a building of which the townspeople in general may justly feel proud.