HISTORIC ST. PAUL'S

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21247, 29 July 1932, Page 13

HISTORIC ST. PAUL'S

Sir, —Tour article referring to the 91st birthday of the above pro-Cathedral must have proved most interesting to old parishioners, and as far as my experience goes is a faithful account of the history of the sacred edifice. In the very early 'sixties, although living within a stone's throw of St. Matthew's Church, I occasionally attended the services at St. Paul's during Archdeacon Lloyd's ministration, as the building and form of service was more in accordance with what I had been accustomed to in my native land. The church was then only in its incomplete form with its seating accommodation limited to 300 persons, it was in the completed form that I was confirmed by Bishop Selwyn, and heard his farewell sermon to Europeans and natives. As your article states, there was strong opposition to the pulling down of the old church, much of it being evoked by sentimental reasons. As a vestryman I co-operated with the late Canon Nelson in securing the present site of the church, arguing that the future building would be better situated by being nearer to the centre of the parish. It was I that approached Mr. Honoyman with a view of purchasing the present site, but lis and his partner, Mr. Hay, suggested that we should exchange sites, in which case thoso gentlemen would be prepared to dedicate the old site to tho citizens of Auckland. Before rebuilding, negotiations were carried on with the view of extinguishing the parishes of St. Matthew and St. Paul and with the united building funds erecting the first instalment of an Anglican Cathedral on the central site. John A. Beale.