RETAINING MEMORIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21333, 7 November 1932, Page 10

RETAINING MEMORIES

OLD PULPIT RE-ERECTED LOST UNDER CHURCH FLOOR Ono of the oldest pieces of church furniture in New Zealand has been lost, found, and re-erected, and was rededicated last evening in Holy Trinity Church, Fitzroy, New Plymouth, by Archdeacon F. G. Evans. Tho particular pieco of furniture is a pulpit which was originally in St. Mary's Church, New Plymouth. Tho pulpit is a notablo one, for the great leaders of the Church in New Zealand have spoken from it. Among them were Bishop Selwyn, Bishop Patteson, Bishop Wallace, Archdeacon Dudley, and Archdeacon Govett. Tho pulpit was in St. Mary's for many years and was only removed when the present stone pulpit was erected. This stone pulpit is a memorial to the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hirst, old settlors and vigorous church workers. When it was removed it was given to Holy Trinity, Fitzroy, and, somewhat altered, was used there as a prayer desk for sonif years. In tho course of alterations and repairs to the church the prayer desk was dismantled and for many years was completely lost. Recently tho vicar, tho Rev. W. S. C. Stephens, rediscovered the pieces under the floor of (ho church. Tho pulpit is being re-erected to tho memory of Dr D. Tomlinson and Mrs. Sophia Tomlinson. Dr. Tomlinson served in Taranaki with the Imperial Forces during tho Maori Wars.