CONSECRATION OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND AT WEST MELTON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXII, Issue 7413, 2 December 1884, Page 6

CONSECRATION OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND AT WEST MELTON.

I [mow <*ra own eonnitsi'oanHWT.J I On Friday morning, from an early hour, u the resident* of the township of West } Mellon were astir, and making all prepam* j tioii# for the reception of hl« Isirdabip the | Bishop and the ,-ev gentlemen who woie to take part in the ceremony of the c<m»»>. j oration of the new church. Tho building | Wav tastefully do,'.'ruled with white j flowers• anti luncheon was prepared in the schoolroom, 1 At eleven o'clock punctually the Itevx W. I Imnkley, C. C. Ikoven, J. Chaffonr*Welsh, T, Flavell. W. Collin*, ami W. S. I lean, mot )m Lordship the Primate at the gftle o} the ground, and the tfev W. Dunk ley. curate, mad the jH'tifJon. asking his leird* ship to mnsecrate the ehitrrh, ami n imrtloo the grouml f»»r tuirial. On entering tho door of the ehnreh, the petition wan again lead, and hi* Lordslnp. followed hy the rev gentlemen present, proceeded up to the chancel, and contevraL'd tho church

under the name of St Paul, A large congregation wna pivveiit to witness tiro cure* mony, wjtich w«« of the usual Ituproailvo character. In the evening ie«rvie«?a wet*' again hold, the church being filled. Archdeacon Harm was tlie ptvnohnr. The ehnreh is Jlift hy U»ft, mating nn a solid concrete foundation, and the height of tho walls i« 12ft, framed in a most substantial manner. In tho west gable am three single-light windows running up to the mil The side windows are double and single light, tho whole of the glass being light and dark green tinted, and arranged in the ordinary diamond pattern. In tho east end is » large three-light window f»ft fiin hy lift Gin, tin gloss being similar to the others, hut arranged in a mom elaborate design. Tho building is weather - hoarded, with narrow feather • edged boards, and tho roof is otuislructud of prind)>als, onaasstuds and wllar-tius, ami txiarded with Oft x Ift riinu, laid on diogonolly, and shinghui with *awn lotara shingles, every thim row of which is cot to a point. Over the west gable is built a handsome I fell turret to the height of 16ft above the ridge. On the north aide is the vestry, Bft x Bft, with doom opening Immediately in front of the chancel. On the same side, and over the main entrance, is built a parch, Bft x Bft. Across tho front is a Oolhic arch, and the roof is finished off with handsomely cut verge board*. Entrance is gained by a pair of folding-doors opening out of tho porch, which is furnished with seats on each side. Inside the building is dadoed up to the bottom of the windows with 4-inch rimu lining placed diagonally, and furnished at top w»tn plain capping. Al»ve tho dado it is lined with 4-inch kauri, also placed diagonally, flie ventilation is extremely well arranged, the windows all luring provided with caaomeJil doors at top, and also a ventilator in each gable with sliding doors. Tho altar is a pretty piece of workmanship. The seats and desks aro made in the rustic, fashion, and the whole building reflects great credit on tho architect. Mr Mountfort, and the contractor, Mr Swanston. Tho work was conducted under the supervision of the foreman, Mr P. Eldridge. It may be hero slated that the tital cost of the building and ground is almut £4OO, and that to within a very small sum the amount ha« been all mode up. If all who promised aid hud fulfilled that promise, the church would have been opened free of debt. Although it was stated in the petition that the building was erected by subscription from the member* of the church, there were others not belonging to it who rendered substantial aid, and helped in furthering the cause, both by money and lime. I During the day, which was all that Icould be wished for, a cricket watch wax Iplayed between West Melton and Weedons |v. Kirwee and Courtenay. Tlu» teams were i.well matched, although the Kirwoc team : camo cut victorious. In the evening tea was provided by tho ladies, and was partaken of by a largo number of people. Twelve months ago, when the erection of a church of England was first mooted In the neighbourhood, the incredulous smiled, and mid it could w»t be done. Six monthn ago, when the matter was taken up in earnest, and a Committee formed for collecting subscription# and general managemont, obstacles that appeared mountain* turned into molehill* and disappeared. Subaeriptiona from all quarters wore lilwrally given, and where least was exjwted tho most came, but alas—where the most wo* expected the least tame. Now jlLc incredulous are no longer unbelieving, ■W the largo number who were present on Friday, witnessed the opening of a building in every way w *rtl»y to bo consecrated to the worship of Ood. The tea, lunchron, Ac,, daring the da£. reallned over JfcW.