ST. BARNABAS CHURCH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3367, 20 November 1872, Page 3

ST. BARNABAS CHURCH.

This recently erected edifice, which has been built on the Warrenton property, in the Bluenkin District, and which is surrounded by scenery almost unrivalled in itn picturesque loveliness, was formally - opened on the 13 th. A large number of visitors from Duncdin, as well as many of the settlers in the district, were present, and so crowded was the Church that not a few wen.- unable to gain admittance. The proceedings-were commenced shortly before noon, when a procession, consisting of clergymen of the Church of Eng land, and about twenty fiurpliced boys and chori.sf errf, was framed in front of the building, and sang, as they slowly approached it, a processional hymn. The service was conducted by the Revs. E. G. ■Edwards, E. if. Granger, A. Dasent, and T. L. Stanley. Mr Edwards preached an excellent and appropriate sermon, electing for his text the Ist verse of the 122 nd Psalm, " 1 v/:tK glad when thoy said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord." The hymns and chants incidental to the service were rendered by a choir under the direction of Mr G. R West ; and Mr A. J. Towsey officiated at the | harmonium. Before the service was | concluded, several members of the infantine population of BJUicßkin, who were accompanied by anxious parente, godfathers aiid godmothers, became the subjects of by no means the least interesting part of the ceremony —one of them being christened "Barnabas" Parker. The interior of the Church itself, which is lined with dressed kauri timber, highly varnished, presents a light and elegant appearance. The chancel is appropriately furnished with altar and reading desk ; and the cloth on the communion table bears the device I.H.S. in gold, on a green ground. Tlie reading-desk, lectern, &c, which .".re of red pine, were made by Messrs Howoll and Hay, of the Octagon ; and the carpentry work wan done by Mr Benjamin Smith, a settler in Blueskin. The floor of the chancel has been nicely -carpeted ; and immediately over the chancel arch, in letters of Btraw, and resting on a scarlet foundation, is tho motto, **llow amiable are thy dwellings, thou Lord of Hosts." The windows are constructed of iron frames, with small dia-mond-shaped panes, and the Church is adorned with an elegant steeple, surmounted by a gilt finial. The site selected for the Church is part of i two acres of ground, the gift of Mrs Pitt. It already boasts of trimly kept walks ; and other improvements are | to be shortly effected. When the opening ceremony had been concluded all present ■ were cordially invited by Mr and Mrs Pitt to partake of an al frcjsco d&jeAner which was tastefully laid out on the greensward near their residence, and where the clattering of knives and forks, the frequent popping of corks, and the joyous talk and laughter of the really ligirt-hearted, presented a moat pleasing scene. Reverting again to the church, wo may state that it is already free from debt, and the necessity for auch a building was shown by the attendance, yesterday, of many settlers in the district, most of whom are members of the Church of England. We understand that the services will be undertaken by the clergymen of the Duaodin and Waikouaiti districts.