St. GEORGE'S CHURCH.

Patea Mail, Volume X, Issue 1318, 9 March 1885, Page 2

St. GEORGE'S CHURCH.

At, last the Pa ! ean churchgoers have a church building of which they have just reason to be proud, and one which will servo for many years to come the purpose to winch it is dedicated. Standing on the same section as the old church building stands, and being in the ancient Gothic style of architecture, with a lofty bell lower at the junction of the main building and chancel, it forms a most imposing object and one that will at once arrest the attention of all visitors arriving in the town. The plans were prepared by Messrs Atkins and Clere, and the contract undertaken by Messrs Thomson and Co-, who have carried it out to the satisfaction of the architects. The main body of the church is (about) 50ft by 32 inside and has 29 pews, giving sitting accommodation for 206 persons. The chancel is twenty feet by eighteen, and in addition to the altar and lectern, gives accommodation for a choir of twenty. The work inside and out having been completed, Thursday last was fixed as the day on which to hold the consecration ceremony. The Lord Bishop of Wellington came up for that purpose, The evening of Thursday turned out a most wretched one, indeed a constant downpour greeted everyone who ventured out of doors, a large congregation, however, had nssembledatlhechurchatthe hour nt winch the consecration was notified to take place, and at fifteen minutes past seven the churchwardens, Messrs Cowern and Kempt-home, accompanied by the members of the vestry and the gentlemen members of the choir, diet the Lord Bishop and the Revds Root, Tudor, and Whitehonse at the entrance to the church, when Mr Kerapthorne rend the following petition praying his Lordship to consecrate the building. To the Eight Reverend Father in God. Octavius, by Divine permission Bishop of Wellington, The humble petition of William Cowern and E. Kempthorue on behalf of the members of the Church, resident at Paten, within the diocese of Wellington, sheweth That a piece of ground containing by admeasurement two (2) roods, more or less, being Block numbered Fifty (50) on the Record Plan of the Township of Carlyle, has been duly conveyed in perpetuity to Trustees duly appointed under the authority of the General Synod as a site for a Church in connection with the Church of the Province of New Zealand, commonly called the Church of England, that a Church has since been erected thereon and is now completed, and fitted up with seals and furnished with all things necessary for the performance of divine worship, and is now in all respects fit and ready for consecration. Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that your Lordship will bo pleased to consecrate the said Church and dedicate the same under the name of St Geoige to the service of Almighty God and the celebration of Divine Worship according to the rites of the said Church of the Province of New Zealand, and your petitioners will ever pray, Dated at Patea this fifth day of March, 1885. After which the gentlemen mentioned formed into procession, followed by the Clergy and Bishop (reading the conscecration service), and walked np the nave to the chancel, where they divided, and turning inwards formed an avenue through which the Ministers and his Lordship passed up to the altar, when the Revd Mr Tudor gave out hymn No. 215, and the gentlemen retired. The choir was composed of Mesdaraes H. E. P. Adams, and Kempthorue, Misses Gowland (2), Hnmerton, Hirst, Jollie, Kempthorue, Monro, and Turner (2), Messrs Hamerton, Horner, Kempthorue, Quinlan, Smart, and Taplin, and rendered the musical portion of the service most effectively. The service was, of course, full choral, Bridgewater’s service being called into requisition to supply the Cantate and Dens Misereatur, while the responses were from Tallis’ service, and too much praise cannot be given to the choir for their rendering of this portion of the service, as the fnll service was given with a smoothness and feeling not often heard in small communities. The Revd Mr Whitehonse read the first lesson, and the Revd Mr Root the second, the Revd Mr Tudor reading the prayers, His Lordship conducting the special consecration service. The anlbem “ Behold how good and joyful ” was beautifully rendered, Mr E. C. Horner giving the bass solo in magnificent voice. The second anthem was “The Gloria” from Mozart’s 12th Mass, and allowed the fnll power of the choir to be displayed to advantage. Mr F. Horner presided at the organ in his usual admirable style, and rendered very valuable assistance to the choir. His Lordship preached a most impressive sermon, which was listened to with marked attention by all present, until they were dismissed with the usual benediction. On Sunday tbe clinrcb was literally crammed, seals having to be brought in from the old, church to accommodate the last arrivals. The first portion of the service was conducted by the Revd E. Whitehonse, when His Lordship conferred the rites of confirmation on twenty-three young ladies and three young gentlemen. The Communion Service was conducted by his Lordship, who also gave the sermon, directing his remarks more especially to those whom he had just confirmed. The musical portion of the service (full choral) was again most successful, and gave ample evidence of diligent practice. The evening unfortunately turned out very wet and boisterous, and few could venture away from their homes. The congregation was therefore anything but large, which is much to be regretted, as all settlers, both (own and country, were anxious to mark the opening- services in the new church ns a subject for general rejoicing and thanksgiving.