CHURCH HISTORY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22194, 22 August 1935, Page 8

CHURCH HISTORY

HOLY SEPULCHKE SEVENTIETH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS ARRANGED Special celebrations to commemorate vhe 70th anniversary of tho (pening of the original Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Auckland will conn once 'on Sunday. The present, church has been a prominent landmark in vl yher Pass Road for over half a concury, while many older residents aie able to remember the small buildin: in Symonds Street which was the el ureh in its early days, The original Church of tho Holy Sepulchre stood nt the upper old of tho soldiers' cemetery in S.viiionds Street, and was opened by Bishop Selwyn on August 27, 186."). Used as n parish eliurch, a cemetery and a schoolhouse. the building was intended to bo only of a temporary nature. It,had seating aconmmxlution for about 250 people. Fine Typo of Building After about lo years, tho present church ws.s built at a cost ol about £4OOO and. was consecrated by Bishop Cowie on Juno 29, ISBI. He ait of kauri was used throughout in the construction and at the time of i:s erection the building was considered to be one of the finest of its type in the Dominion. All the interior wcoc work was carried out in the Gothic a;ye. For a number of years after tl e opening of the new church the old bu lding was used as a Sunday school. About 1899, however, it was dismantled and re-erected in practically its original form on a sjte acquired by the Baptist Church in Grange Road, Moun; .Men. The present Grange Road B iptist Church differs in only a few respects from tho original Holy Sepulchre building in Syinonds Street. The timber is stated to be still in excellent condition. Special Services on Sundny Tho Venerable Archdeacon B. T. Dudley was the first vicar 0, ,: " St. Sepulchre's," occupying the josition from 1860 until 19*01. His successors have been the Rev. G. A. Carver ,(1902-1907), the Rev. H. Reeve 1 19071911), tho Rev. A. Richards 19121916), the Rev. W. A. Kea.v *19171920), the Rev. Gordon Bell (J9201930) and. the present vicar, tie Rev. J. E. Draper, who came to the church in 1930. On Sunday a number of speoifl services will bo held, the morning surmon being preached by the Venerab'e Archdeacon Mac Murray and the evening eerraon by Mr. Draper. Further special services will bo conducted the following Sunday. The Rev. E. C. Giol will preach in "the morning, while tl 10 evening service will be conducted by Archbishop Averill. Various social functions, including a reunion tea for former ancl present parishioners, will be held next week.