ST. LUKE'S CHURCH, TE KUITI.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 58, 29 November 1907, Page 2

ST. LUKE'S CHURCH, TE KUITI.

Dedication Service.

On Thursday evening °f week St. Luke's Church, Te Kuiti, was packed to its utmost capacity, the occasion being the dedication service. Of course the Bishop would have preferred to dedicate the Church on a Sunday, but considering that there are about two hundred churches in the diocese, each expecting a Sunday in the year, it is practically impossible to conduct all services on Sundays. Bishop Neligan, assisted by the Revs. Spencer and Hapimana, performed the ceremony, which was a very impressive one. When the congregation were all seated a short ceremony was performed outside by the Bishop, and was afterwards continued from the altar. In the course of the Bishop's address he look for his text St. Luke, whom he referred to as an accurate historian, and whose historical record was acknowledged to be correct throughout the world. He said the people of Te Kuiti ought to be highly pleased at having such a nice little church of their own, and trusted that they woi|ld not destroy the interior of it by plastering it over with yellow varnish. lie reminded the congregation of St. Luke's Day (October 18th), and said he hoped all church people would come to church and participate in communion. During his address he mentioned that it had been decided that the offering that evening should go towards the S.P.C.K., which society had kindly offered a donation of £2O when the parishioners could show that, by that amount, the Church would be free of debt, but, instead, he suggested that only a small proportion be sent, and that it be done regularly, and they would accept it at Home with just as much thanks. In referring to the dedication of Churches the Bishop sail' it was good for the people that such was the ease, because they understood that immediately they came to the Church door they had to take off their hats and conduct themselves generally in a different manner than when in another building. Appropriate p ; nlms were read, and several hyn-s were sting at intervals. Holy Communion was celebrated in the Church 011 Friday morning.