DEEP FOUNDATIONS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12357, 29 January 1926, Page 6

DEEP FOUNDATIONS

NEW CHURCH AT PAIHIA MEMORY OF GREAT MISSIONARIES CONSECRATION CEREMONY BY ARCHBISHOP (By Telegraph.—Special to “Times.”) AUCKLAND, January 28. The church of St. Paul, Paihia Bay of Islands, of which the foundation stone was laid on March 17th, 1924, was consecrated by Archbishop Averill yesterday. The church has been built by the descendants of the two early missionaries, Henry Williams, first archdeacon of Waimate, and William Williams, first Bishop of Waiapu, as a centenary memorial of their work, which began in 1823 and 1826 respectively. About 80 members of the family assembled from various parts of the Dominion, including a daughter of Bishop Williams and a number or grandchildren, great-great-grandchild-ren and even members of the succeeding generation. The church is a handsome building of local stone with a square tower over the main entrance, which is surmounted by a copper speir. The structure is roofed with Welsh slate. The weather was all that could he desired and the\visitors, who had been assembling at Paihia for some days, were reinforced by a number of others from RusselJ and tho reighbouhood of Waimate, including a number of Maoris. Between 250 and 300 people found accommodation in the church. THE CEREMONY Archbishop Averill, attended by his chaplain and otheh clergy, was met at the door of the church, where he received a petition presented by the parish and the representatives of tho Williams family, requesting him to consecrate the building. To this lie assented and, after knocking with his staff upon the door, was admitted and presented with the. key of the church. He proceeded with . the attendant clergy from point to point of tho church with prayers appropriate for each portion. He then celebrated hoiy communion. A sermon was preached by Archdeacon H. W. Williams, who made a rapid survey of the missionary methods of the church and their results in all ages. From these lie drew encouragement for the future and lessons for those who have followed the early pioneers. The service closed with the singing of Te Deum. Archbishop Averill had some good advice to give to the younger members of the family who had been deputed to present the petition for the consecration. He reminded them that it was not enough to enjoy the good results of the work of their ancestors, but that it was incumbent upon them to further that work and prove themselves worthy descendants of such selfdenying good men.