ST. MARTIN’S CHURCH HALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19199, 16 June 1924, Page 9

ST. MARTIN’S CHURCH HALL.

FOUNDATION STONE LAID. '.V' On Saturday afternoon the foundation i stone of a new Sunday School hall for St. Martin’s Anglican Church was laid In Millar street, North-East Valley, by. the Mayor, Mr H. L. Tapley. The rain held off and permitted the ceremony to be held out of doors. The proceedings opened with the arrival from the church of a i procession, which came singing the par®phrase, “0 God Our Help in Ages Tafit/’ His Lordship, Bishop Bichards, who conducted the service, explained at the optflpt ; that they were met to lay the foundation stone of this building to the service of. God 1 in the education of His children. After 'i suitable prayers had been offered Mr 'lap- ; ley laid the foundation stone, and all joined in singing the Doxology. Archdeacon Fitchett read as the lesson the ; description in the last part of the second chapter of Luke of the visit of the Child i Jesus to Jerusalem. Addressing ' the gathering, the Bisaop said it was a very happy thing to takd ' part in that ceremony because it was’*a time of congratulation on real progress. It marked almost the realisation of a long , cherished vision when thev would have a i new building for St. Martin’s Sunday school. The minds of some would tend to think of it as an excellent nlace for meetings of the guild, for socials and concerts, and so on, and no doubt that did not enter into it, but they realised that there was something far greater than that, for j it had to do with the instruction of children. Nothing could be too good or too convenient to enable them to teach their children in the best way. That material building was the outcome of spiritual vision and of moral effort, and it was a real moral work. The congratulation was not only on account of the vision, but of the united practical work. The congratulation extended to thanksgiving to God for the priest they had in charge of the parish at the present lime. Mr Tapley congratulated the vicar, ■ his church officers, and the parishioners on the consummation of a thought that had been in their minds for a long time. It Was an absolute necessity that this new building should be provided, for the old one was 40 years old, and wae now unsafe and'inadequate. He referred to the growth, of the Sunday school and also to its efficiency as shown by the fact that it gained more prizes in the recent diocesan examination than any other school in the diocese. The erection of the building would entail very real sacrifice. The total cost waa to be £1595. , Against, that they had sold ; sections for £SOO, and had received £BO in donations and promises. An overdraft lor £750 had been arranged, and that left £365 to be raised exclusive of architect’s foes. That seemed a big hurdle, but he was sure that God's blessing and the energy, enthusiasm, and sacrifice that had been displayed before in that parish the sum desired would be found in a very short time. A number of men, by giving, up their Saturday afternoons and other holidays and evenings, had contributed during the last two years at least £260 worth, of work about, the church buildings and grounds. The activities of the ladies of the parish had also been of inestimaWo value. It must be a great source of pride and gratification to the vicar la , have the support, of such a loyal band of workers. He likened the Sunday school to the foundation of the ohuroh, and quoted the statement that the Sunday school no longer lay among the negligible factors of life. It was more essential.vMn , ever in these modern days that our Sunday schools should bo supported and nourished. Ho thanked the members of the vestry for die very handsome silver and greenstone inscribed trowel that they had given him as a memento of the occasion,, and said he would always cherish it as one of his most treasured possessions. While a concluding hymn was sungdonalions to the total of £ls were gathered from those present and laid on the foundation stone. The formal outdoor proceedings closed with the singing of the National Anthem, and most of those present adjourned to the hall to enjoy afternoon tea and social intercourse. The new building is to be of brick, and measures 40ft by 73ft. with seating for about 350. There is a stage 19ft by 15ft, and dressing rooms, kitchen, and srore will be provided. The hall is to he top-lighted, and the new building will be connected with the existing ball so that, it may be used either in conjunction with it or as a separate hall. The total cost is estimated at about £I7OO. Mr H. M‘Dowell Smith is the architect, and Mr G. 'Wallah® the builder.