OPENING OF ST. ALBAN'S CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7562, 15 February 1886, Page 5

OPENING OF ST. ALBAN'S CHURCH.

Thk Church of St. Alban the Martyr, Mount Koskill Road, was opened for Divine service on Saturday last. This church is situated ®n the extreme .boundary of St. Sepulohro'a parish, and is ejected on a site given by Mr. James Pace. Mr. A. P. Wilson is the architect, and Mr. Woolley the builder. At half-past three p.m. there was a numerous congregation present, fairly filling the building. The clergy present were the Most Rev. the Primate of New Zealand, the Bishop of Auckland, Archdeacon Dudley, and the Rev. Messrs. Beatty, Davis, Haselden, Walpole, Knowles, Smallfield, Houchin, Phillips, Rev. Dr. Rev. Dr. Purchas, and the Dean of Christchurch. The service was fully choral, Mr. V. E. Rice conducting and acting as organist, and several members of St. Sepulchre's choir assisting. The service was intoned by the Rev. W. Beatty. The first lesson was read by the Rev. Archdeacon Dudley, minister of the parish. The second lesson was read by the Rev. Dr. Purchas. After the third collect some special prayers were said by the Bishop of Auckland, these being taken from the consecration service. The whole of the consecration service was not used, inasmuch as it is intended for the present to use the building rather as a mission hall, and to hold Sunday-school, social gatherings, and meetings of various kinds within it, besides employing it on Sundays for Divine worship. A hymn having been sung, the Primate gave a short and exceedingly valuable address, the text being taken from Psalm xxvii.. Bth verse, " When Thou saidst seek ye My face, my heart said unto Thee Thy face, Lord, will [ seek." The building, the dimension of which are 4S x 26 feet, is neat and unpretending in design, well lighted and ventilated, and will form an excellent nave .of & larger church, which,' it is hoped, may some day occupy this site. A well-executed sketch and ground plan of the church, as' it will appear when -when completed, was hung up in the porch, and excited many favourable comments. The acoustic properties of the building are remarkably good, the music especially on Saturday being more enjoyable. ' The cost of .the building, fitted up as at present, will be over £500, and the subscriptions so far are somewhat under £300. The building committee invite offerings from those who sympathise with their work. At the conclusion of the service, the donor of the building site hold an interesting conversation with the Primate, the Primate having known him at Eton 45 years ago. The Primate and the Bishop of Auckland called on Mrs. Pace, who through ill-health was unable to be present at the opening service. Services were held in the church yesterday (Sunday). • The Bishop of Auckland preached in the morning, and in the afternoon the Rev. E. J. Phillips gave an address to parents, teachers, and Sunday scholars. The preacher in the evening was the Rev. P. S. Smallfield. Tho offertory on Saturday amounted to over £11, and this sum, with the offertories yesterday, will be devoted to the building fund.