New Catholic Church.

Patea Mail, 16 December 1881, Page 3

New Catholic Church.

The handsome and spacious new church erected by the Catholic body in Patea will be opened next Sunday, by the ceremony of dedication performed by Bishop Redwood. There will also be high mass, and a large attendance of clergy and friends from the Coast is expected. A special train from Wanganui is to run on Sunday morning, by private contract, and return in the evening. The contractor for the building, Mr James O’Dea, has executed his work faithfully, and we are requested to say it is highly satisfactory to Father Grogan, who is known to have taken a practical oversight and bestowed anxious care to ensure the best results. The exterior looks well designed and soundly finished ; and some other structures are dwarfed by comparison. The contrast between this new building and the old one removed to the rear is a striking indication of the growth and advancement of the district. The Catholic body will feel proud of the fruit of. their united liberality. The church is elevated sufficiently to be a commanding object, and corresponds to the old Greek idea in that respect. The interior is about complete as to painting, and will have a finished and pleasing appearance b}' Sunda}-. The painting is being done by Lawler Brothers, of Wanganui, and there is evidence of skill and taste. The colors are well chosen for subdued brightness and harmony. The walls are relieved from flatness by slight pilasters, and by diagonally varying the direction of the lining boards. The wainscotting is nicely grained. The feature of the interior is the sanctuary, and and the substitution of an ogee arch instead of the ellipse iu the plan has brought into view the upper part of the sanctuary in a satisfactory manner. This distinct improvement was the suggestion of Father Grogan. The altar is visible from every seat, and the front is boldly carved and recessed in deep panels, which will be painted white picked out with gold. A sacristy adjoins the sanctuary. There is also a choir loft over the front entrance, and below it a vestibule screened to prevent draughts into the church. On the exterior front is a niche for the Virgin, vacant at present.

A Wanganui journal announces that it is proposed to bold an Easter encampment of the several volunteer corps from Patea to Foxton. Some central place, probably in the vicinity of Wanganui, will be chosen. The troops will go into camp on Thursday the Gth April, and remain for instruction during Good Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. On Easter Monday a sham-fight and review will be held.