ST. MARK'S CHURCH, OPAWA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1397, 9 May 1865, Page 4

ST. MARK'S CHURCH, OPAWA.

The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of | this church took place on Saturday last, at 2.45 p.m. The weather, which had been lowering and overcast all day, changed for the worst, and duriDg the whole . of the ceremony the rain fell in torrents. There was not a very numerous attendance, owing, probably, to the incletneucy of the weather. The Right Reverends the Lord Bishops of Ne«" Zealand, Christchurch and Waiapu ; the Venerables the Archdeacons of Christchurch and Waikato, the | Revs. F. Tripp, G. Edwards, G. J. Cholraondeley, and several others were present, together with some ladies and gentlemen. The ceremony was commenced with the Psalm | Memento Domine, which was chanted by the choirs of St. John's, Ferry road, and of St. Mary's, Heathcote, Mr. W. Thompson leading. | At the termination of the Psalm, the Lord Bishop , of Christchurch read the first portion of the service appointed to be used on similar occasions in the diocese of Christchurch. Owing to the heavy rain, the lessons (Ist Ezra., chapter iii., verse 8 to the end ; second, Ist St Peter, chapter ii., verses 1 to 11) usually read, were omitted. The corner-stone—a large massive one—bearing on the outside surface the date, 1865, cut in bold relief, was placed near the position which it was intended to occupy, a cavity having been prepared in another stone beneath it for the reception of the glass bottle containing the inscription, &c. The Lord Bishop of New Zealand then laid the stone, offering the following prayer Through our Lord Jesus Christ we lay this Stone in tho name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, in faith that this place, hereafter to become tje House of God, may bo consecrated to prayer ana the praise of His holy name. Amen. His Lordship delivered a very short address, observing that Christ was the corner-stone of His holy Church, "disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God and precious ;" and exhorting his hearers that they, as members of that Church, should remember that they were the living stones of which it is composed, and that they ought so to regulate their lives and conduct that a spiritual house might be built up. The Hymn, "Christ is our corner-stone' Wli> sung by the choir, and a collection, amounting to £12 lis iOjd was made ; and, after another praver the Benedictiou was given in the following terms bj the Lord Bishop of New Zealand: — Blessed be Thy name, 0 Lord, that it hath Thee to put it into the hearts of Thy servants to one l lingly fo-the building of this Church. Mercituh\ at cept their alms, and let Thy blessings bo upon them, t.u families, and their substance. Remember them eonu irtg this; wipe not out this kinduess which tjie\ done, and grant that all they who shall hereafter the benefit of this pious work may show forth then'' fulness by rightly using it to tho glory ot thy <' name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Lord bless you and keep you : the Lord , face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; 1 lie i lift up His countenance upon you, and give you pes" ■ Amen. Subjoined is a copy of the inscription placed bt neath the stone:— | In the name of tho Father, the Son, and the Uo y Ghost. Amen. , , . ,i„, To tho honour and glory of Almighty God, and to advancement of Christ's kingdom, on the sixth ot - •„> in the year of our Lord 1805, and the -Sth vearj' 1 reign of Queen Victoria, tho corner stone ot this lm• 1 • < dedicated to St. Mark, and situated in the parish ot u 1 , Hoathcote and Sumner, was laid by the Kight George Augustus Selwvn, D.D., first Bishop ot . New ''' land, and Metropolitan; Henry J. C. Harper, DA ■< '■ t> first Bishop of Christohureh; and the Reverend r£l ■» James Cholmondeley being the curate of the parish. The site on which the Church is to bo built is the t of G. Holmes, Esq., and E. Richardson, Lsq.; am followingparsons form tho building committee: • • Murray-Aynsley, Esq., M.P.C.; JL- Coster. Esq.; - * Hassal, Esq., and W.Kennawny, Esq., Churchwardens > Xaurio, Esq.: G. Holmes, Esq.; W. lieeves, hsq-, v Richardson, Esq.; amd J. S. Williams, Esq. , r ,.. rs Tho Church is to bo built from tho designs ot - * Bury and Mountfort, architects, Christchurch. Blessing and honour and glory and power e Him that sitteth upon the Throne, and to the Lai , ever and ever. , The church is to be built, from the Messrs. Bury and Mountfort, and will be wooi, a stone foundation. The design is Gothic; th ® t of the nave will be 50 feet by a breadth of - ' and in the end facing the door will be a laige < mental window. The size of the chancel is to • feet by 16 feet, with a vestry room 8 feeit sq < and a porch 8 feet by 6 feet. The elevation o building is 28 feet, and there will be a bell l " t0 , the height of 16 feet surmounting the end ov entrance. The building will contain about i ' , eons. Messrs. Hepburn, Ben net and Co. ar contractors.