ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11948, 24 April 1902, Page 4

ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH.

The ceremonial of yesterday—the laying of the foundation-stone of a stone church for St. Matthew's parish—was one in which the whole population of Auckland must take a sympathetic interest. The building which will be* erected will be the church of an important city parish, and the centre of a large amount of religious and philanthropic effort. It will occupy a prominent position in the city and will be one. of the buildings in which all the citizens will feel pride. To many of the older residents, St. Matthew's Church, when completed, will mean much more than all this. It will be a memorial of early times and of many of the citizens who worshipped in the primitive building which then held the congregation. Some of these early members of the church were present yesterday--such as Mrs. Coombes and Captain Mitchell—but most of them have gone to their rest. One may be mentioned here, Mr. Jerome Cadman, who was an active member of St. Matthew's, who worked- forty years ago for the stone church, which has not been realised till now. Mr. Cadman, who was for a length of time a prominent figure in political and municipal life, is dead many years ago, but was yesterday represented by his son, the Hon. A. J. Cadman. The ceremonial of yesterday was surrounded by everything which could give it dignity and impressiveness. The stone was laid by His Excellency the Governor, the Freemasons of every constitution were present, and all the ancient and august rites of the fraternity were observed. The general goodwill was shown by the presence of clergymen of other denominations and the large attendance of the public. The vicar of the parish, the Rev. Mr. Cillam, deserves every credit for the exertions he has made, and it is to be hoped that he will live to have a long and successful ministry in the new church.