COMPLETING A CHURCH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15610, 15 May 1914, Page 9

COMPLETING A CHURCH

, CHANCEL AT ST. PAUL'S.

CONSTRUCTION IN STONE.

When St. Paul's Church was erected in Symonds Street about twenty years ago, sufficient funds were not available to construct the whole of the building in atone, and therefore the chancel at the ea6t end, fronting Grafton Gully, was built of wood. The vestry have now decided to take active steps to secure the completion in stone of the whole church, with the exception of the steeple, and Mr. B. C. Chilwell, architect, has been instructed to draw up a number of sketch plans for the proposed new chancel. As soon as the plans are finished it is proposed to make a 6tart with the necessary excavation work.

It is expected that the new chancel will cost between £4000 and £4500. While the major portion of the chancel is to be constructed of 6tone it is intended that ferro-concrete shall be used as much as possible, on account of the sloping nature of the ground. The existing building, with the exception of the chancel, is built of Rangitoto stone, with Oamaru and Mount Somers stone facings. With regard to the kind of stone to be used for the new portion no decision has yet been reached. It is probable, however, that Mount Eden stone will be used should it bo found suitable for tho purpose. The 20th_ anniversary of the laying of the foundation-stone of the present* church will fall on June 11 next, and the building, as it now stands, was erected at a cost of £7000.

The vestry have the sum of £1300 in hand towards the erection of the new church, and it is hoped that before February next, when the actual work of construction will be commenced, more funds will be available. In the building programme mapped out no provision has so far been made for the erection of the spire, but should money be forthcoming in the meantime the vestry will have the spire built also, and thus complete a very handsome church building. The church organ will have to be taken down from its temporary position in the wooden chancel for the building operations, and it will be rebuilt as a three manual instrument in the stone chancel.