FIRE IN WELLINGTON

Otago Witness, Issue 3467, 24 August 1920, Page 16

FIRE IN WELLINGTON

ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH DESTROYED

WELLINGTON, August 16. _ St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Wellington terrace, a handsome wooden buildings, erected in 1878, was destroyed by fire thi3 morning, only the four walls being left standing. The outbreak originated in the orgaa loft, and was discovered about 2 o'clock. A strong southerly wind was blowing, but fortunately heavy rain fell, and the brigade was able to prevent the distrution of the large hall at the rear o£ the church. The roof of the hall was burnt, and a good deal of damage was dene to the building by water. The Rev. Mr Robertson Orr, minister of St. Andrew's, is a heavy loser by the fire, half of his large library, which was in one of the church rooms, being reduced to ashes. Other books in his fine collection were destroyed in a fire which seriously damaged the church hall last year. St. Andrew's Church was insured in the Presbyterian Church insurance funds for £6300, and the contents for £6OO. The risk was distributed by the Church Insurance Board, £6500 of the total being placed with the South British Company. St. Andrew's Church, which is one of the oldest in Wellington, has an interesting history, which is part of a romance of the past. By one of the first ships that came out with the founders of the colony a minister of the Church of Scotland was sent in the person of the Rev. Mr M'Farlane. He first preached at_ Britannia, on Petone beach, which was originally intended as a site for the city, until the position was found to be endangered by river floods, when the pioneers of the province removed across the harbour to the site on which Wellington now stands. The New Zealand Company granted to the Church of Scotland, on payment of £IOO, .100 acres of country land and one town acre. The late Mr R. R. Strang acted as agent. for the Church of Scotland. The Colonial Government, at an early period in the city's granted a free site with 100 ft frontage to Lambton quay, and on this the original Presbyterian Church was erected. In after years the little building was sold, and the foundation stone of the second church was laid on June 22, 1856. In 1878, the land on Lambton quay having become very valuable, the site of the buildings, excepting 20ft, which had previously been parted with to the Supreme Court, were sold to the Colonial Bank. The present site of St. Andrew's Church on the Terrace was secured at this time, and the church which was destroyed this morning was erected. The new church was opened on July 30, 1879, being one of the prettiest churches in the colony. The total seating accommodation provided was for over 400 persons,, and a fine two-manual organ was installed.