NEW ANGLICAN CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20496, 22 February 1930, Page 14

NEW ANGLICAN CHURCH.

ST, COLUMBA'S PARISH.

PERMANENT BRICK BUILDING.

DISTRICT'S RAPID GROWTH,

J The parishioners of St. Columba s Church, Grey Lynn, decided this week to call tenders for the erection of a new church in brick on a site at the junction of Surrey Crescent and Richmond Avenue. The church has been designed by Mr. D. B. Patterson, architect. The building will bo generally upon the lines of an English villago church, and will consist of a nave, chancel and organ chamber, with attached vestries for clergy and male and female choristers. Provision will bo made for its enlargement later by the addition of aisles. r lhe original seating capacity will be about 250 persons. The east and west windows will be of a late Gothic type, with stone mnllions. The roof is to be of red tiles, with a small Heche, or spire, upon the ridge near the junction of the navo and chancel. The cost is estimated to bo in the neighbourhood of £4OOO.

The parish of St. Columba was formed from part of the Epiphany parish in 1915. Fivo years earlier a church hall had been erected on a triangular island site in Surrey Crescent, close to the second tramway secfion. This building was never consecrated or dedicated, and with tho growth of traffic on Iho Great North Road it became unsuitablo for church purposes owing to the noise of passing vehicles. Not long ago, with tho permission of tho Diocesan Synod, tho parish sold more than half tho site for £5670, and the portion disposed of is now occupied by a picture theatre and shops. Of tho proceeds £1440 was spoilt in purchasing from the St. John's College trust tho new site, a properly about an acre in area. The balance, with certain additions, is available for tho erection of the permanent church. Tho present church hall will bo retained as the parish hall, and possibly a vicarage will bo erected later on the new site.

Tho parishioners consider themselves fortunato in being able, through tho increase in property values, to build a fine church so soon after the establishment of a separate parish. The original hall site, part of which has been sold advantageously, was a free gift from the late Mr. J. Williamson, and formed part of the Surrey Hills estate, in which ho had an interest.

When the church hall was built it was virtually on the edge of tho settled area of Grey Lynn. In the 20 years' interval building has continued so rapidly that churches have been built at Point Chcvalior and Wcstmcre, and the former has been separated from St. Columba's, becoming an independent parochial district.

The first vicar of St. Columba's was the Rev. P. C. Davis, now of Birkenhead. Tho Rev. R. 11. Hobday has been in charge since 1923.