ST. ANDREW'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6423, 19 June 1882, Page 3

ST. ANDREW'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

* . LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE TOWER AND SPIRE. This interesting ceremony took place on Kay 24, in the presence of a large assemblage of the members and adherents of the Presbyterian Church, the clergy, office-bearers of the church, congregations throughout the province, the congregations of the suburban churches of that and other denominations. On the platform we noticed the Rev. A. Carrick, pastor of St. Andrew's, .Rev. J. Macky, Otahuhu, Rev. J. Bruce, Onehunga, Rev. — Thompson, Waiuku, Rev. P. Mason, Rev. R. F. Macuicol, St. James's, Rev. D. W. Runciman, the Ven. Archdeacon Maunscll, Rev. T. Buddie (Weslcyan), and the Rev. Alexander Reid (Wesleyan). The children of the several Sabbath schools marched to St. Andrew's from the various churches connected with their schools. The ceremony was performed by Mr. R. Whitson. The proceedings commenced with singing the 100 th psalm, the Rev. J. Macky emgaging in prayer. Mr. G. Fkisek, clerk of the church court, read a brief history of the church, of which the main features have already been published. He next proceeded to read the nanes of officebearers. Pastor, Rev. Alexander Carrick ; the names of the elders, Andrew Bell, J. B. Bennett, John Hay, George Fraser, Thomas Keir, Duncan McNab, George Sibbin, David White, Robert Whitson, and James Blaikie. The committee of management : Henry William Heath, John Reid, John Kirkwood, Hugh Falconer, Anderson, Alexander, Campbell, M. McLeod, John Mowbray, James A. Hazletr, Jonathan Winks, and Alexander Winks. Church officer : James Sims. The trustees of the church: Robert Graham, and William S. Graham. Architect, E. Bartley; contractor, James J. Holland, which names were engrossed on parchment. The clerk of the court was conducted to the resting place of the stone, and deposited the parchment bearing, besides the above, the names, the day of the week and month, the year of our Lord, and that of the reign of Her Majesty the Queen. Mr. John Reid, treasurer of the church, then approached and deposited the "coins of the realm," from a sovereign to a farthing, inclusive. The Rev. A. Carrick, on behalf of the architect and contractor, presented Mr. Whitson with a silver trowel, and mallet of New Zealand woods, bearing the following inscription — " Presented to Robert Whitson, Esq., on the occasion of laying the Foundation Stone of St. Andrew's Church Tower and Spire, May 24th, 1852." Mr. WiiiTsov, uDder the guidance of the architect and contractor, and attended by the pastor of the church, office-bearers, and elders, dvdy laid the stone, and said : X should like to say a few words on this occasion, before we separate. When I look back to the history of this church I caunot help thinking of the brave and courageous men who eommeneed the work of building it. It is 35 years since then. We have few of these brave and good men left amongst us this day—those men who had the courage to take upon their shoulders heavy responsibilities to provide a suitable place for the worship of God. It has often been said of this building that it appeared very little better than a strong old barn. But if anybody will go inside, they will find that the accommodation it affords bears favourable comparison with most of our modern churches. We may be tolerably satisfied with the inside, but we are at the same time trying to make a little better appearance on the outside. I think I might aay that the men ot the past in this colony manifested a determination to accomplish what they began, that might well serve as an example to us who follow them. If you show the same spirit, there will bo very little difficulty in doing what you now propose. But at the same time that I look back upon the history of this church, and the memory of the men who have passed away, it gives me pleasure to see on this platform many that survive, who then took a share in the good work. I am sure these old friends are dear to all of you, as they are to me. I should like to say a word on this occasion concerning the Rev. David Bruce. It is 29 years since he commenced his labours here. He had a great deal of heavy and uphill work to do when he came to this colony. He set his heart upon extending the influence of the Church in every direction as far as he was able to do it. You have little idea what travelling was in the colony in those days. I have done a good deal of travelling myself in this country, and have been lost in the bush. I remember an occasion when the Rev. Mr. Bruce was in a similar predicament, and sunk almost to his chin in a swamp. There were no roads then as there are non-. You had to take the track in the fern, and go where it might lead yon. I ean assure you that Mr. Bruce displayed the heart of a lion in prosecuting the work he had set before him to do. It was one of tht greatest blessings that such a man should have been sent here to work for the Church at such a time. He travelled to all parts of the country, endeavouring to raise up a church in every place he visited. We should be grateful for the l.lessings poured upon our Church in those days. I trust that you will make this church worthy of the cause which we have at heart, worthy of the time and place in which we live, worthy of its favourable position, to be a credit to the future, and a memorial of your zeal and fidelity. (Applause.) The stone being laid, Mr. Be.v.vett called for three cheers, which call was responded to. The Sabbath-school children sang the 349 th Hymn (tune, "Austria.") The Ven. Archdeacon Maunsell, Rev. Thomas Buddie, Rev. John Macky, Rev. R. F. Macuicol, Rev. D. Runciman, Rev. Peter Mason, Rev. A. Reid, Mr. Andrew Bell, Mr. James Robertson, and Mr. Robert Graham, also addressed the meeting. The Rev. J. Macky pronounced the benediction, and the assemblage separated. [The musical arrangements were under the direction of Mr. Culpau, the organist of St. Andrew's.] The improvements and additions to the church include a clock tower, spire, and portico. Some nine architects sent in competitive plaus, but the Church Committee awarded the prize (£2O) to Mr. Matthew Henderson, architect. A brief description of the plaus may interest our readers : —" The present church fronts Alten-road, and is a very plain structure at present. The proposed additions to the church consist of a portico in the Grecian-Doric order, 31 feet long by 14 feet broad, having four very massive columns, 25 feet high, and 4 feet 2 inches in diameter, surmounted by au entablature and pediment of an ornamental description. The whole portico is 45 feet high. The tower and spire are placed in the north-west corner of the building, and in the first story correspondin style with the portico, having pillars the same size as the portico, with entablature and pediments all round. The second storey of the tower has a belfry, surrounded by isolated lonic pillars, having entablatures on four sides. Over this storey is the clock compartment, forming a mezzanine. Over this is a storey for clockwork, octagon shape, having Corinthian columns at every angle, surmounted by a dome and spire, the total height from top of spire to base being 123 feet. The first storey of the tower forms an entrance to the church, and contains a staircase to the organ gallery. The present side walls of the church are to be raised the height of the entablature all round, and the whole building plastered with Portland cement, which will give it all the same new appearance. The whole design is in the Grecian order, and when the additions and improvements are comploted, will make St. Andrew's Church have a very handsome and pleasing appearance. The following statement of the history of St. Audrew's Church, and of Presbyteriauism in Auckland, will be read with interest. It is furnished by some of the officers of the Church who have been long and honourably associated with it. The present St. Andrew's Church was commenced to be erected in IS 17, the principal promoters being Dr. Sinclair (Colonial Secretary) aad Messrs. Alex. Shepherd (Colonial Treasurer), W. S. Grahame, W. Gorrie, Robert Graham, R. Mitchell (of Brown, Campbell, and Co.), W. Hay, and A. Dingwall. Believing that Auckland had a great future before her, they built the church of stone, leaving the completion of the whole design, in the shape ' of portico and tower, till funds were in hand, and these arc now forthcoming, to carry it out. In January, 1549, the Rev. G. A. Pantou arrived as minister, and lie conducted the opening services, assisted by the Revs. Walter Lawry and Thomas Buddie, Mr. Lawry officiating in the morning, Mr. Pantou ia the afternoon, aud Mr. Buddie in the evening. Owing to unhappy differences which subsequently arose, Mr. Pantou resigned the pastorate, and in ISSI left New Zealand, The Rev. Johnlnglis (subsequently

of the New Hebrides mission) filled the vacant pulpit, aided by occasional assistance from the clergy of the Wesleyan denomination, till a successor could be tained to Mr. Panton. In response to the request of the managers the' Free Church authorities at Home looked about for a suitable man, and selected the Rev. David Bruce, who arrived here in 1853. He reorganised the charge, set about reducing the debt of £1500, and succeeded in getting erected a school, where means were provided for the secular and religious education of the young belonging to the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Stables was brought out from Scotland in order to conduct the operations of the school, and subsequently Mr. Farquhar Macrae, who has been so successful as a teacher, was subsequently sent for. Owing to the increased membership of the Church, it was found desirable to obtain a colleague for Mr. Bruce. The Rev. James Hill arrived about this time, and he subsequently formed the congregation of St. James', which held its services in the old Prince of Wales Theatre till the present handsome church in Wellingtonstreet was erected. As population increased and the city and suburbs extended, other centres of operations were formed for the spread of Presbyterian ism. Thus St. Luke's was established at Kemuera, with the Rev. G. B. Muuro as pastor; one at the North Shore, under the Rev. Mr. Wallace ; St. David's, under Mr. T. W. Dunn; and St. Stephen's, under Rev. D. W. Runciman. Owing to ill health, Mr. Bruce found it incumbent to resign the activo duties of the pastorate, bat at the desire of the congregation accepted the honorary office of pastor emeritus. The Rev. A. Carrick arrived from Canada in October, 1577, was presented with a, call, to which he gave a favourable reply, and was inducted to the charge in December following, and in which he is at present labouring with great usefulness. Towards the close of last year the elders ind managers decided to make the improvements and additions to which we aave referred at the commencement of this notice. When the work is completed the congregation of St. Andrew's Church will have no occasion to regret the decision now arrived at, but, on the contrary, much reason to be pleased.