WALL OF REMEMBRANCE

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 76, 11 August 1927, Page 3

WALL OF REMEMBRANCE

AT TI!K CATHOLIC CHURCH. A SPLENDID MEMORIAL. There lias recently been completed at the Stratford Catholic Church a Wall of Remembrance, which will stand for all time as a memorial to the priests who have hail charge of the parish and to Hie p’Oiieers who worked for Hie church in its early days. The wall runs the full length of the frontage of the church section and is a particularly handsome piece of work. It is of reinforced concrete, and consists oi large square posts and long panels. On each post is a large marble slab headed with the words “In Memoriam,” followed by the name of a priest or pioneer of the church, with the date of death. in each panel a smaller slab is inserted, with similar wording. On one of the posts at Die southern end appears (ho inscription; “A. M. D. G.: Erected by Rev. 'J'. J. Canid, 1 .1 1927; The' "Wall of Remembrance.” THE NAMES OX THE WALL. Following are. the names on the (ablets, with a few notes of the work of the person:', concerned. Rev. Dean McKenna, died 1922. When Stratford was part of the New Plymouth parish, the late Dean McKenna was in charge of the district. He did yeoman service in the conn-

ivy districts, and bo was instrumental in getting the present church built. liev. Fa 1 her P. Trencey, P.P., died 1022.—Father Treaccy was parish priest from 1001 to 1012, living in Stratford after -his retirement till the time of hi-,; death. Colonel W. O. Malone,-killed in action on Gallipoli Peninsula, 1315.—Colonel Malone donated the section on which the church stands. Rev. F. G. Maples, P.P., died 1025.—Father Maples was parish priest from 1012 till his death. Francis Ferris, died ISO 3 Ferris left a 100-acre farm to the church, for the support of the Convent school, and the annual rent provides teachers for the school. Patrick O’Reilly, died 1012.—A resident of Skinner Road and a staunch supporter of the church. . John Butler, died 1022. —Another staunch supporter, a resident of Toko. John Uhlenberg, died 1002.—One of the original settlers on York Road, and father* of Mr August Uhlenberg, of Waipuku. Ellen and Patrick O’Connor, died 1903 and 1010. —Staunch supporters over many years. Patrick (Kelly, died 1011. —He left £IOO towards the cost of the Wall of Remembrance. James Bennett, died 1924.—Father of Mrs; F. Whittle. MV and C. Malone, died 1008 and 1024. —Parents of Messrs U. J. and J. Malone.

Mary and John E. Leydon, died 192$ and 1925.—T0k0 supporters. John and Esther Fitzgerald, died 11)17 and 1321.—Parents of Mrs W. ' Bowler, , Michael Doduuski (died 1919), Anton I’otroz (died 1926), and August Xenstroski (died 1927). —Original Polish settlers, who did a great dear of work for the church. Most of the memorial tablets were presented by descendants of the pioneers. IMPROVED ACCESS. In connection with the ;erection of the wall, much has hpe.ii dona in the direction of improving, the. access to the church. Previously the footpath on the street ran a high bank, on the outer edge, for safety’s sake, it was found necessary to have a railing. The Borough Council has removed this hand and the footpath comes at an easy grade both from north and south. The main entrance, at the north end, is fitted with handsome wooden gates, and the pathway up to the church is of concrete and has an easy grade. There is a smaller gate at the southern end, and steps load up to the level of the church. Inside the wall are garden plots around which a hedge- has been planted, which will he kept at about two feet high. In the plots there are a number of rhododendrons, which are also planted on the south side of the church'. OTHER IMPROVEMENTS. The general appearance of,the church has been much improved by the painting which the whole structure recently received. At the back of the church there previously stood a row of high pines, which obstructed the view of the building from Broadway and which were found to be having the effect of rotting the structure, through keeping the sun off it. These have now been cut down. A hedge has been erected along the back boundary, and inside j this there are more rhododendrons. Some time ago the school playground was levelled, and tin's has now been drained in a manner to ensure it always being dry. Now lavatories and concrete; shelter sheds have also boon erected.