CHRISTMAS AT THE CHURCHES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 878, 28 December 1888, Page 29

CHRISTMAS AT THE CHURCHES.

The churches, more especially those of the Anglican and Roman Catholic denominations, at this season put on holiday garb. Tho air is scent-laden, and the choicest flowers and foliage are pressed into the service by dozens of busy volunteers, all eager to deck their favourite churches in gorgeous array. Iu the Old Country, where the decorative art is largely employed at Christmas time not only in tho churches, but in tho shops and in the street, the opportunities for adornment are not so great, because flowers are not to be had in such quantities (it being the winter season), and on account of the scarcity of ferns of any kind, and for this reason the decorator is almost wholly dependent on the timehonoured holly and ivy, and such flowers as may be obtainable. We in Southern dimes are, however, more fortunate in Christmas coming to us when “ Nature is at her best,” and it has been the praotiee to take the fullest advantage of this, and to turn our churches into bowers “ with verdure clad.” This year was no exception to tho rule, and very tasteful and artistic designs in the several churches were executed. The orderof servicesat St Paul’s pro-Cathe-dral on Tuesday was as follows:—At 8 a.m, theie was a ohoral celebration, the music being Dyke’s in F throughout. At 11 am, beside Dyke’s servioe the anthem “ O Zion hringest” (Stainer), was sung. In the evening, at 8 o’clock, a selection of Christmas carols were sung as follows : “ Good Christian men,” “ The first nowel,” and “A virgin unspotted " (traditional) ; “Listen Lordings ” (Ouseley) ; “See the morning star” (Bridge); “See amid the winter snow ” (Goss) ; “Like silver lamps ” (Parker). The carols were interspersed with organ solos. Mr Parker presided at the organ and conducted the services. The Rev J. Still was the officiating minister, and the Bishop preached at the 11 o’clock service. At St Paul’spro-Cathedral theprevailing colours in the decorations are white, white altar frontal, and white and gold hangings at the east end of the church. The font was ornamented with white flowers as far as possible, as were also the lectern and reading-desk. The pillars were ornamented with nikau palms, and a white antependium was also used. The effect of the whole is exceedingly pretty. The services at St Peter’s on Christmas Day were as follow:—Holy Communion was given at S a.m., and at midday the Psalms were sung to chants by Monk, Ouseley, and Turle. The “Te Deum” and “ Jubilate ” were sung to settings by Young and Garrett in F. The anthem “Thus speaketh the Lord of Hosts "was given for the first time, and Joule’s Festal Responses and Kyrie were also used. The Christmas hymns were NO3. 60, 61, and 72. The Rev H. E. Tuckey, B. A., officiated at the services, and Mr Hautrie West presided at the organ. The decorations were quite as effective as on previous years. The screen, which was arch-shaped, was highly embellished with flowers and evergreens, and graceful festoons of foliage decorated the walls of the church. White flowers were used on the font and the pulpit, and the leotern was ornamented with white and red flowers. The design altogether is a very tasteful one ; a number of ladies did the decorations. Sb. Mark’s Church is one which is well adapted to decoration, and usually the most is made of its natural advantages. The prevailing colours in this year’s design are crimson, white, and gold. The panels of the screen are crimson, picked out with with white, and a tracery of ivy was also on the screen. Round the chancel _ a scroll was hung, the lettering on which is, “ Hark ! the herald, angels sing.” The windows were draped with evergreens, and the pillars werq wreathed with lycopodium and

ivy. The font was dressed with flowers, and the lectern and reading - desk were also appropriately ornamented. In front of the gallery there are a couple of scrolls with the texts, “Rejoice in tho Lord” and “Give thanks unto him.” A charming idea, which is always included in the decorations at St. Mark’s, is the bouquet at the end of each pew, and this was _ carried out as usual this year. The special music at the morning servioe was Tours’ communion service in F, and in the evening Gounod’s “Magnificat ” and “ Nunc dimittis ”in D. An anthem was sung in the evening, “ The angel Gabriel ” (Stuart), tho solos in which will be taken by Mrs Greenwood, Mrs Webb, and Mr Page. Mr Hardwick will be organist and conductor. At St. Mary’s Cathedral the feature of the Christmas decorations for many years past has been the “ crib,” which is intended to be a miniature representation of tjie stable of Bethelem at the birth of Our Saviour. For this object one of the side altars is transformed into a grotto, in which figures to represent “The Holy Family” are placed. The Rev Father Power and Mr E. Brogan undertook the erection of the “ crib ” this year. The other decorations were as extensive as heretofore. Festoons of evergreens were hung across the high altar and between the pillars of the church, and on the frontal rail of the gallery a scroll with the text “ Gloria in excelsis Deo ” was hung. The pulpit was decorated with nikau palms, evergreens and flowers. Misses McManaway (2) and Sheridan superintended the general decorations. The Masses at the Cathedral on Christmas Day were at 7.30 and 9.30 a.m., and high mass at 11, at which the Very Rev Father McNamara, S.M., V.G. Adm., officiated, assisted by the Rev Fathers Power (deacon) and Keegan (sub-deacon). The Christmas music was given by the choir under Mr Putnam, assisted by an orchestra. It was as follows: Carol* “ Adeste Fidelia ” (Novello); Mozart’a “ Mass No. 12 ; ” offertory, “ Noel ” (Adam). At high mass also Miss McLean sang the “ Jesu Redemptor Omnium ,r (Roberti). The soloists for the ocoasion were Soprano, Miss. McClean; alti, Mrs Cimino and Misses B. Cimino and Kelly ; tenor, Mr Rowe; bass, Mr Gardner, Mr S. Cimino presided at the organ. At St Mary of the Angels’ Church, Boul-oott-street, a very pretty effect was realised. Over the high altar (which, with the side altars, was a mass of flowers and tapers) a beautiful scroll lettered “Gloria iu Exoelsis Deo,” was placed, and the pillars down the nave of the church were literally hidden in palms and evergreens. The front of the gallery, font, &c., were also embellished with flowers and foliage, and the result was very tasteful. The masses on Tuesday at this church were as follows : Low mass, 7.30 and 9.30 a.m. ; highmassat 11a.m., and vespers and Benediction at 7 p.m. Tho Rev Father Devoy was tho celebrant at high mass. A very strong choir under Mr J. B. Connolly, conductor, ' sung the Christmas music as follows : ; *. 1 Adeste Fidelis ” (Novello’s arrangement), Mozart’s mass, No. 7, “Domine Salvuns Fac” (Jouve), Adolphe Adams’ “Noel” 1 (baritone solo and chorus) was sung as am offertory, Mr E. D. Dunne taking the solo*. Iu the evening Ett’s grand ohoral vespers was sung. The soloists were Soprani, Mrs Connolly and Misses McCarthy and Ross ; alti, Misses Rigg and McDonald ; tenor, Mr P, J. Dunne; and bass, Messrs Henderson and Dunne. The choir was assisted by an efficient orchestra, led by Mr McCardell, and Mr W. Raymond officiated at the organ. The masses at St Joseph’s Church, Bucklestreet, were at 7.30 and 9 a.m., and at the latter the junior choir was present.