CHURCH DOORS LOCKED

Northern Advocate, 7 May 1934, Page 5

CHURCH DOORS LOCKED

VICAR HOLDS SERVICES. . PRIVATE CHAPEL USED. (Special to “Northern Advocate.”) CAMBRIDGE, This Day. When the Rev. G. G. Hell arrived at fit. George’s Anglican Church, shortly lief ore 7 a.m. yesterday, with the intention of conducting a service, he found the doors locked, and, to keep face with his promise to his supporters, he decided to hold early communion services at a private chapel in Bryce -Street, when 1 lie set up an altar. Earlier in the week, the living of Si. Andrew’s having been declared vacant, Bishop Clierr’mgton, acting meanwhile as Vicar, announced services at St. Andrew’s Church, while

Mr Bell also declared his intention to cater for his supporters with services at limes not to clash. Vesterday Mr Bell reiterated his contention that he is still Vicar of Cambridge, and said that meanwhile services would be held by him at the private chapel, which lie had designated “The Parish Church of St, Francis.’’

The Bishop held three well attended services yesterday at Si. Andrew’s, but made no reference to the dispute, other than to say he would hold services regularly as previously.

Mr Bell held two communion services at. his chapel, which was filled. Tie also celebrated communion during (he morning at Christ Church, Ohaupo. .Mr Bell said he had been informed by the churchwardens of St. Stephen’s, Tamahere, that they would decline to hand over the keys to I lie Bishop. The latest move of Mr Bell, in support of his expressed statement to cany on, was tin* nailing In (he main door of St. Andrew’s Church yesterday of a deelarat ion accusing the Bishop of the sin of schism in holding services without his authority. He further charges the Bishop with unlawfully declaring' his living vacant, and calls upon the Bishop to repent and make restitution without delay.