CHURCH DOORS LOCKED

Stratford Evening Post, Volume III, Issue 346, 29 April 1935, Page 8

CHURCH DOORS LOCKED

WEDDING PARTY OUTSIDE

CUSTODIAN'S OVERSIGHT—- ' 'FIRST TIME IN 30 YEARS."

SYDNEY, April 14

While the groomsmen, minister, members of the wedding party, and interested spectators frantically thumped on the door of St Stephen's Chinch, in Macquarie St., Sydney, recently an aaixious. bridegroom paced the pavement in front of the Church, and his bride was touring the city streets.

TJic party had been locked out of the tastefully decorated church, where the marriage ceremony was to bo held. Ultimately, despairing of having the doors opened, arrangements were made by the minister to perforin the ceremony in the Pitt St. Congregational Church. The Avedddng of Miss Leila Goodsir and Mr. Walter Carroll Mas scheduled to commence at 3.15 p.m. At 3 p.m. tho doors were still closed and guests ! "became anxious. Then| the wedding i party arrived and hurried consultations were held on the footpath. The bell putsid'e was pressed, but it was not. answered. Banging on tho door produced only echoes. While attempts to have the door opened were still being made, the bride arrived. The difficulty was explained to her, and she agreed to drive around the city for a few minutes until something had been done. The minister arranged for the service to be conducted j at the Pitt Street Church. I

A few minutes after the party loft St. Stephen's the (toor s of the Church wore opened. The beautiful floral decorations, so carefully arranged earlier in the dlay, were much admired by the few interested stragglers who had watched the unusual scene. The ceremony by that time was being conducted) at the other church.

The church officer, Mr W Christie, who opened the doors, was more upset and concerned than the bride and bridegroom had been. "I cannot apologise enough," ho said "It is the first time in 30 years that I have been late or forgotten a marriage. I was working in the store, and did! not notice the time until it was 3.25 o'clock. The door bell had been disconnected last night and Ido not think the telephone teould have been rung, for I would! have have heard it. "