AN HISTORIC CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20603, 30 June 1930, Page 11

AN HISTORIC CHURCH.

ST. PETER'S AT ONEHUNGA. NEW BUILDING SCHEME. FOUNDATION-STONE LAID. Tlio 82ih1 anniversary of St. Pelcr's Anglican Church, Onehunga, was celebrated yesterday with the laying of the foundation-stone of a new building that will replace one of the oldest churches in Auckland. The ceremony was performed by the vicar, the Rev. 11. M. Smyth, in the presence of a largo gathering of parishioners. Members of the Manukau Masonic Lodge, No. 24, also attended in regalia and accorded the service, 111 which St. Peter's choir assisted, full Masonic honours. St. Peter's Boy Scouts and the Girl Peace Scouts acted as a guard of honour. With the venerable old church, soon to pass into memory, standing in the background, the scene was an impressive one. Some little time ago the existing building was shifted back and the stone was laid at the north-eastern corner of the site to be occupied by the new church. The Masonic portion of the service was conducted by Mr. 0. Nicholson, Provincial Grand Master. The stone was tested with the level, the square and the plumb, and then consecrated in accordance with the established ritual of the fraternity. Following this the grand master scattered corn as a symbol of goodness and plenty. Wine was then poured over the stone, which was also anointed with oil, as tokens nf joy and cheerfulness and lasting gladness. Before the polished piece of granite was sot in its final position, a scroll and a number of articles sealed in a copper container were ceremoniously deposited in a cavity beneath it. Upon the scroll it was recorded that St. Peter's was originally built and opened for divine servico in 1848, the Rev. Dr. Purchas being the first vicar. The building was consecrated by Bishop Selwyn in 1858; After a record of the date and the circumstances under which the stone was being laid, together with a list of the clergy and laymen in oflice at tho time, a list of articles deposited beneath the stone with the scroll was enumerated. Tho actual laying of the stone was next performed by Mr. Smyth with a green-stone-handled silver trowel, engraved and presented by tho architect, Mr, D. B. Patterson. Dedicatory prayers and the Doxology followed, and then the final hymn. Archdeacon G. MacMufray, the vicargeneral, preached at the evening service. He said that 82 years ago a faithful band had put their hands to what must have seemed a tremendous task in building the first small St. Peter's Church. But in a very short time they had enlarged it to its present size and paid for it. Tenders are being called immediately for the erection of the first portion of the building, which will include all the eastern section, tower, vestry, chancel and sanctuaries. At present an additional £IOOO is required to make up the necessary to meet the estimated cost of this work, which should take about six months to complete. Until sufficient funds have been obtained to carry out the entire rebuilding scheme as planned, the old portion of the nave, which has been recently renovated at a cost of £4OO, will bo utilised with tho new building.