HISTORIC INTEREST

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 276, 26 October 1925, Page 6

HISTORIC INTEREST

WILLIAMS MEMORIAL CHURCH. TO BE CONSECRATED IN JANUARY. AUCKLAND, Oct. 23. Deep historic interest centres round the Williams Memorial Church recently erected at Paihia to commemorate the centenary of tho arrival at the Bay ot Islands of the pioneer missionaries, Henry and William "Williams. Jhe church has been erected by members ol the Williams family, and the foundation stone was laid last summer by Mr T. S. Williams, tho oldest surviving descendant of Archdeacon Williams. The consecration will take place next January, and the occasion will be marked by a notable gathering of members of the various branches of the Williams family.

As far as possible New Zealand materials have been used for the budding and furnishing. Many histoiic associations are connected with the church and its surraunlines. It is built in the churchyard of the old building, which has been removed to Taunvarere. This was not the original church erected by Messrs Williams, but tho old framework was used when the church was rebuilt and, although 90 years had passed since the timbeis were first laid, the framework was :n fairly sound condition when the building was lately removed. The church gates are the original ones brought out from England by Mr Henry "Williams over 100 years ago, and the bell which hangs in the copper spire belonged to the original church. It was housed not in the church itself, hilt in a tiny belfry built in a tree outside, and for over half a century its musical peal has tolled out over the quiet waters of Paihia. The organ, too, holds interesting historical associations, and is said to bo one of the first which found its way to New Zealand.