ENDURING WORKS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 485, 15 October 1928, Page 14

ENDURING WORKS

OTAHUHU’S NEW HOLY TRINITY CHURCH OPENING AND DEDICATION The opening and dedication of the Church of the Holy Trinity, Otahuhu, was carried out at the morning service yesterday. His Grace, the Primate and Archbishop of New Zealand, Archbishop Averill, officiated. He was assisted by Biehop West-Watson, of Christchurch, and the Rev. C. B. W. Seton, vicar of the Church of the Holy Trinity. The new building was filled to overflowing. over 100 intending worshippers being unable to find accommodation. On entering the church in procession, accompanied by the choristers and visiting clergy, the Archbishop was invited by the churchwardens, on behalf of the people of this parish, to dedicate the church to the honour and glory of God, the Holy Trinity. The Archbishop, having declared his readiness to proceed with the dedica tion, passed with the clery and churchwardens to the Holy Table, and turning toward the large congregation, said:

“ Dearly beloved in the Lord, for as much as devout and holy men, as well under law as under the Gospel, moved either by the secret inspiration of the Holy Spirit, or *:y express command of God, or by their own reason and sense of the order and decency of things, have erected houses for the public worship of God in order to fill men’s mnds with greater reverence for His glorious majesty and to effect their hearts with more devotion. and humility in His service; which pious works have been approved and graciously accepted by our Heavenly Father; let us not doubt that He will also graciously approve our godly purpose of setting apart this place, in a solemn manner, to the performance of the sev eral offices of religious worship; and let us faithfully and devoutly beg His blessing on this our undertaking.’ 1 The Archbishop took for the text part of the fourth and fifth verses of the second chapter of the first epistle general of Peter: “To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God and precious. Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” NOBLE DETERMINATION In opening a stirring address, th“ Bishop stated that this was a great day for the good church people of Otahuhu, and their many friends, who have shown such noble grit and determination in the building of such an edifice. He extended his congrrtaula Lions to the vicar of the Parish, Rev. C. B. W Seton, who had played no small part in the encouragement in the building of the church, which is in keeping with

the growth and popularity of the town of Otahuhu. , Praise was expressed to the parishioners for their loyalty, devotion, and the liberal way in which they contributed towards the cost of erecting the building. Congratulations were also extended to the architect, for the designing of a church, worthy of his noble art, and to the builder, well known his faithful and honest work. WOOD TO CONCRETE Mention was made of the passing from wooden buildings to concrete and bricks. Wooden buildings ■were interesting and attractive, but they had had their day, and permanently-built churches were taking their place. Not only were they built on material foundations, but also on the taith and certainty that the work of God is the one unending thing in the world. The old wooden church had been retained in the district, forming an interesting link with the name of George Augustus Selwyn. The need of unity by the members of the church was stressed. Faulty material would weaken the church, and those members of the congregation who were not sincere in their levotion weakened the work of God. What more could be offered on the dedication of this beautiful chift'ch than the rededication of souls and lives to God? In conclusion, the Bishop asked that this church be the nursery and training ground of the witness of the real Christ. Special services were continued in the afternoon and evening. At the afternoon service the Rev. R. J. Stanton, of Ellerslie, conducted the service, and in the evening the Rev. G. C. Cruickshank, of Remuera, occupied the pulpit-