RESTORATION OF CHURCH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21279, 5 September 1932, Page 10

RESTORATION OF CHURCH

RED EDI CATION SERVICE CEREMONIES AT EPIPHANY Simple but impressive ceremonial marked the rededication of the restored parts of the Church of the Epiphany in Karangahape Road last evening by the Anglican city missioner, the Rev. Jasper Calder, who is vicar of the parish. Parts of the church were seriously damaged by fire in April last, and the restoration work was carried out by the City Mission Men's Guild, composed of practical tradesmen. Tho rededication service was performed by the vicar by special authority from Archbishop Averill. Before tho service started Mr. W. Fort, who acted as foreman of the restoration work, handed to the secretary of the vestry the architect's report on the building, which was read to the congregation. Mr. Calder then handed to Mr. Fort a small gold and silver hammer in recognition of his work, and to Mr. O. Overall, who supervised the scaffolding work, a small gold and silver saw. Mr. Calder walked to the various parts of the church which had been restored and performed the rededication ceremony. He then read a list of names of donors of materials and helpers in the restoration work and paid a warm tribute of thanks to them. A special anthem, "Bless the House," composed for the occasion by Miss Amy Hansard, was sung by the augmented choir, which was robed for the first time since the fire.

During the service Mr. Calder also dedicated a number of banners, including the City Mission banner, and those -of the parish branch of the Girls* Friendly Society, the Boy Warriors and the Girls' Club. Later, in his sermon, Mr. Calder made an appeal for more real friendliness in church life. The only spiritual life worth while, ho said, was that of people who went to church because they wanted to go and not because they thought it was a duty. Anthems sung by the choir during the service were Mendelssohn's "Hear My Prayer," with Miss Adele Taylor as soloist, and Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus." Two sacred songs were sung by the Lyric Four. At a gathering in the vestry after the service parishioners and supporters of the City Mission presented Mrs. Calder with a bouquet.