THE HEW ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH AT QUEENSTOWN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2309, 2 June 1898, Page 22

THE HEW ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH AT QUEENSTOWN.

' (Fhom Our Own Coebespondent.) # Queenstown, May 29.

The opening ceremony of the new Cathoiic Church was performed to-day, when the officiating clergy were Bishop Verdon, the Very Rev. Dean Burke, of Invercargill, and Rev. Father O'Donuell, of Queenstown. 1 The new church \e built'of local stene, faced with Oamaru stone, is named St. Joseph's, and its dimensions are : — Outside 90ft long, 47ft wide, and 50ft high. In&ide, from door to altar rails, 57ft ; width of nave, 25ft ; depth of Bacristv, 19c't ; and nuns' chapel and sacristy both 12ft 9in wide. '

The Rev. Father O'Donnell, in charge of ths parish, paid a high tribute to the architect (Mr Petre) and contractor (Mr D. W. Wood), both of Dnnedin, for the manner in which they had done their work.

After the bishop had performed the sacred rite of openiDg the church Dean Burke preached an eloquent sermoo, taking his text from the mission of the Twelve Apostles (Acts i, 8), " And ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem snd in all Jadea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the world." -Preceding hin sermon he congratulated the congregation on having such an excellent and btautiful church. It wss a veiy suitable church' for Queenstown, it being such a pretty place. Ie concluding his address he asked the congregation to make a big effort that day feo clear the small remaining debt on the church, »nd the congregation responded splendidly, as the collection taken was over £250.

The Rev. Father O'Donnell said tbe thanks of lihe congregation were due to Mr John Black i'or professional services rendered gratis and for the statue of the Sacred Heart; to Mr T. J. Lynch and his sister (Mrs Nevin) for the Stations of the Cross ; to Mr P. Bullet for a stained glass window ; to Mr/O'Meara for a stained gl* 8S window, St. Augustine; to Mr P. McCarthy foe a seined glass window, St. Patrick; to Mr F. M'Bride (Frsnkfcon) for the altar and Bgnctuary -, to Mr Cyril Gudgeon for the baptismal font ; to Mrs Butler for the sanctuary lamp ; to St. Patrick's Spoits Association for the steps approaching the main entrance ; to the Very Rev. Dean Burke for the ttatue cf St. Jo3eph in the facade of the buildicg ; and to himself for tho statue of the Virgin and Child. A very efficient choir, under the coaductorahip of Mr C. Robertson, gang Ihe high mass music splandidly. Miss Gudgeon was organist, aud Mra Black and Mr Gudgeon were the soloists. At the service in the eveniog Ihe church was again crowded, and Dean Burke preached another excellent sermon.