ST. PAUL'S CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20385, 14 October 1929, Page 12

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH.

NEW CHANCEL TO BE BUILT.

AN IMPRESSIVE DESIGN.

COST ESTIMATED AT £BOOO

Some unusual features for a New Zealand church aro embodied in the plans,' which have jusfc boon completed, for a now chancel in St. Paul's Anglican Church, Symonds Street, to replace the existing structure, which was built in wood because of lack of funds. The now design, which is to be in roinforced con crote, screened with cavity blocks, is estimated to cost between £BOOO and £9OOO, and will bo in three storeys.

When tho prcsont church was built in Symonds Street, on tho demolition of the original St. Paul's in Princes Street, only tho navo was completed in permanent material, owing to lack of funds, but in 1914 an effort wa3 mado to raise funds to add a permanent chancel. Owing to tho interruption paused by the war tho pro posal was set aside after about £6OO had been collected and the foundations had been sunk. It is now intended to finish tho work.

Tho new structure will be 32ft. longer and much wider than the present chancel, and will open through a lofty arch in Oamaru stone, the width between the supporting columns being 23ft. and tho height of tho arch 33ft. Access is gained from tho nave by a flight of three steps running the full length of tho chancel. Tho depth from tho steps to tho windows, which will comprise a memorial to Bishop Patteson, who was consecrated in old St. Paul's, will bo 35ft. On each side of the windows will be statues representing St. Payl and St. Barnabas.

On tho left of tho chancel a well proportioned Lady Chapel will opon from tho choir through an arch. At present tho organ is situated at this point, but it is tho intontion of tho architects to build an organ loft in the south transept on the other sido of tho chancel. Off this tran sept will be tho clergy vestry, admitting tho choir.

Ono of the most impressive features will be tho rood screen in stone, which will separate the chancel from tho nave. The design of the screen provides for a central archway with two bays ou either side, the dividing columns being arched with fan vaulting. Christchurch Catlio dral has such a screen in oak, while churches and cathedrals in other parts oi' tho world show many fine examples of this practice. The whole of tho channel will be finished in biscuit plaster, while tho roof will bo ribbed and vaulted in stone.