ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 3860, 6 March 1928, Page 10

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

FOUNDATION STONE LAID AT OMAKAU. Sunday, February 26, was » memorable day in the history of the Roman Catholic Church in Central Otago, when the foundation stone of the new St. Peter’s Church, Omakau, was laid by Bishop Whyte, of Dunedin. In spite of the rather keen south-westerly breeze which swept the bare terrace behind tho township of Omakau, there was a gathering of nearly 300 persons, including visitors from Ranfurly and Alexandra, besides a fair sprinkling of Protestants from the neighbourhood. Tlie new church on Omakau terrace wilt supersede the little stone church at tho west end of Ophir,- which was erected about 51 years ago. Before that the Roman Catholic services were held for about seven yea.rs in a little “ wood-and-iron ” building, which had been bought by the tion from Mr James Samson, who was for many years an auctioneer in Dunedin, and who carried on, before that, a drapery business in Central Otago, with three shops—at Naseby, Blacks and Alexandra — from the early days of the gbldfields. The shop in Blacks was built before the township of Ophir was laid out, and it stood upon the present main street line, about 30yds east of the preserft Blacks Hotel. This little building was opened as a church in the year 1870, and the first services in it were conducted by Father Royer, a Frenchman, who had been some time in West- / land, and who was the first parish priest < of Mount Ida and its neighbouring valleys westward—Maniototo, Ida, and Manuherikia, When the stone church was opened Mr Brian Flannery bought the little place and removed it to Poolburn, Ida Valley. The first priest of the stone church was Father Sheehan, who officiated for over 20 years, and was succeeded by the Rev. P. O’Dea, who in turn, after 25 years’ service, was followed by tho present parish priest—the Rev. M. Spillane. This historical sketch has been culled from the memories of old residents, and is in consequence open to correction from authentic records or from more accurate memories. It is given to show the progress accomplished from the little shed which was sold to Mr Flannery for £2O, to the stone church which cost about £5OO, and now up to the creditable brick building which will be the best Roman Catholic Church in Central Otago, and which will cost about £6OOO when opened. Messrs Mandeno and Fraser, Dunedin, are the architects of the new church; Messrs Dennis A. O’Connell and Co., Dunedin, the builders, with Mr J. Peterson, a partner of the firm residing on the spot; and Mr A. C. Idiens, Dunedin, is works inspector. The building is red brick. The builders began work on January 10, when they were faced by the difficulty of getting the water necessary for building operations, which was overcome by laying a half-mile of piping from Messrs Arnold Bros.’ water race. The site of the church was presented by the Rev. P. O’Dea, now of Gore. It is an almost level piece of ground of considerable extent, about 100 ft above the level cl Omakau township and railway station, so that when erected it will be visible from most parts of the extensive Manuherikia Valley. At Z o’clock on Sunday afternoon Bishop Whyte appeared in full vestments preceded by three altar boys, the Rev. D. O’Cor.neli and the Rev. M. Spillane. After walking in procession fjom porch to sanctuary and back the ceremony of laying the foundation stone was performed according to the rubric in Latin from the Pontifical. At the end of this ceremony, Mr Fraser presented Dr Whyte with a silver trowel as a memento. The procession then moved to the sanctuary end of the church where a large temporary cross had been erected and here a further function was performed. Bishop Whtyte then .changed part of his vestment, and took his seat upon the platform prepared at the main entrance. Father Spillane presided.

Father Spillane very heartily welcomed Bishop Whyte to Omakau and thanked him for his kindness in coming to lay the foundation stone. He was glad to see so many present, some from distant parts of the parish, besides some representatives who were not Catholics. He wished to say that among the donations toward the cost of building were non-Catholies who had shown remarkable generosity. The church when erected would be an ornament to the district and a credit to the people. Before lie was appointed the money collected amounted to £1244 3s and since he earns £853 2s 6d, making a total of £2097 5s &d. The contract price for the building is £4855, which would be increased by seatfurniture, architeects’ fees, etc., to about £6OOO, so that there remained a shortage of about £4OOO, which he had no doubt the generosity of “ our own flock and of other flocks ” would eventually overcome. Bishop Whyte said that this was a red letter day for Omakau. He was sorry, that they had not the sunshine of the prea ceding day. He congratulated the peopl# upon their determination to erect a commodious and beautiful church upon such a splendid site, and also Father Spillane upon his success in raising funds, ana remembered with gratitude the valuable and generous services of Father O’Dea during a period o-f 25 years. He said that at last the church and the presbytery would be fairly near together, so that daily mass could be celebrated. From the plans which he had been shown, the church promised to be very beautiful —a credit to the arch’tects and builders. Bishop Whyte said he had been looking u.p some old records, and was interested in the reply which Dean Martin gave to. Bishop Moran when questioned after a visit to Centra) Otago. The Dean said: “My lord, tho people there are few, but they are good.” He sincerely hoped that the debt upon the building would soon be cleared off. The collection made during the afternoon amounted to slightly over £3OO, of which it is understood that the bishop "ave £25 and the architects a similar s. m.