RELIGIOUS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1636, 14 March 1866, Page 5

RELIGIOUS.

Church of England.—During the past month no events of any great interest have taken place in connection with this Church. The Lord Bishop of the diocese intends holding a confirmation about Easter at Christchurch, and another at Tokomariro. Lent lectures, which have been of a very able character, and which have attracted numerous congregations, have been delivered at St. John's church, Christchurch, by the Rev. J. O. Hoare, the Incumbent. A new font has been placed in this church. It stands at the end of the nave opposite to the chancel. It is placed upon a pedestal of Weka Pass stone, from which spring eight small columns of dark marble, with foliated capitals. The columns support a circular basin, also of Weka Pass stone, sculptured with a trefoil foliated arcade. The work was executed from a design by Messrs. Mountfort and Bury, upon whose taste and skill it reflects great credit—Mr. Speechley has completed a design for a new church at Addington, the site for which has been presented by Mr. Sewell. In the Church of the Holy Trinity, Lyttelton, a handsome stained glass window, with a commemorative brass tablet has been set up, to record the death of Mr. Charles Townsend. who was unfortunately drowned in the River Grey, in October 1863. In Avonside church some alterations have been effected which tend to the convenience and improvement of the building. The floor of the chancel has been elevated above the present level. A very handsome reading desk, lectern, and a chair for the chancel have been provided. These are of New Zealand woods, carved in the early English style, from designs by Messrs. Mountfort and Bury. They have been presented to the church partly by Mr. Mountfort and partly by a lady, a member of the congregation. They are of elegant design, and when placed in their position will doubtless add greatly to the effect of the church. The chair is of the pattern known as the Glastonbury chair, from the fact of an ancient one of that pattern having been discovered among the ruins of an abbey of that name, and from this model have been re-produced those seats so familiar to us all in the chancels of churches at home. The present specimen has an escutcheon, in bold relief, carved upon the back, surrounded by an indented border. These articles of church furniture are in the course of being stained and varnished by Mr. Smith of High street, Christchurch. The church will receive a further addition by the introduction of some new seats, the construction of which has been entrusted to Messrs. Todd and Tennant. Roman Catholic Church.—The churches both in Christchurch and Lyttelton continue to be well attended. That at Brackenbridge is nearly finished. The design is a very plain one, but the building will be amply commodious for the use of the congregation meeting in it. Arrangements are, we understand, in contemplation for the appointment of a regularly established priest for the Peninsula. Aij branch of the Church his been established on the West Coast, where a number of the mining population are members of the Catholic communion. Presbyterian Church.—We have no occurrence of any great importance to record in connection with this Church. The Rev. J. Gow has been inducted into the pastorate of St. John's, Lyttelton. Both the congregations at St. Andrew's and St. Paul's, Christchurch, continue to show a steady increase. Wesleyan Church.—This denomination continues the marked progress by which it has hitherto been characterized. The number of members on the roll, and of those upon trial, are fully up to—if not above—the average. Several new places of worship have been opened, in which Divine Service is solemnised by local preachers, assisted by the regularly ordained ministers. We are glad to be able to announce that a decided amelioration has taken place in the health of the Rev. J. Buller, the Superintendent of the circuit. United Methodist Fhee Churches. — Subscriptions in aid of the building funds for the New Chapel are being received. Collecting books and cards have been issued. Congregational Church.—The Rev. J. W. Habens continues to officiate in the church belonging to this body. The congregation is largely on the increase, and the number of pupils on the sabbath-school roll has received a considerable accession. The New Church.—The persons holding the tenets of this Church, hold occasional services in Christchurch. At these meetings, discourses, explanatory of their peculiar views, are delivered by members of the denomination.

The Brethren hold meetings on Sundays, we believe, in Kilmore Street, Christchurch. Several earnest persons deliver addresses advocating the great doctrines of the Gospel.