OPENING OF RAPAKI CHURCH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2604, 10 May 1869, Page 1 (Supplement)

OPENING OF RAPAKI CHURCH.

The courteous invitation of the Rapaki Maoris, together with the beautiful weather of Tuesday last, tempted us to be present at the opening of the church which now graces the very pleasantly situated settlement of Rapaki. The church was thronged with a congregation of about 100 persons, nearly one half of whom were European visitors, while quite as large a company were obliged to be satisfied with a place outside. It would have been difficult to determine, judging from the group of ministers standing within the communion rail, to what denomination the sacred structure belongs, for all three resident clergymen of Lyttelton were there, as was also Te Kote, the native minister of the settlement. The large cross surmounting the belfry, and the window of stained glass in rear of the pulpit, only helped to render the problem more difficult of solution. The liturgy of the Church of England was used. The opening prayers were read by the Wesleyan minister, the chaunts were led by him and his Maori brother of the same persuasion; the Anglican clergyman led in reading the psalms for the day, while the Presbyterian minister offered prayer in English, and the English-speaking portion of the audience sang part of the hymn beginning, “Come let us join our cheerful songs,” and their Maori brethren chaunted and read the psalms with an accuracy of time and fervour of manner very gratifying to listen to. Most earnest attention was given to the sermon preached from the text, “ Where two or three are gathered together in My name, —• ” The offertory was taken at the door as the congregation retired, and seemed to be liberal. The whole service was of a deeply interesting and edifying character, and at its close, many were the encomiums passed by the Europeans on the neatness of design and perfect finish of the

Church, and the orderly and devout deportment of the Maori worshippers. These latter were delighted at the interest displayed by their pakeha friends, and expressed themselves as specially pleased with the hymnsinging of the ladies. At the close of the part of the proceedings, the Maoris invited their European visitors to a tent fitted up for the occasion, where they were regaled with an abundant supply of refreshments.