ST. JOHN’S CHURCH

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 62, Issue 4403, 17 March 1941, Page 4

ST. JOHN’S CHURCH

SPECIAL DEDICATION SERVICE.

HISTORICAL CHURCH RE-FURNISHED.

St. John’s Church was filled last night for the dedication of 24 new pews, which have just been placed in the Church. The seats are constructed of heart rimu, and are stained a dark colour to match the interior of the building. The ends are of Gothic design in keeping with the shape of the windows and arches. Nine of the new pews are memorials with suitable inscriptions on silver plates.

The dedication was performed by the Vicar, the Rev. M. G. Sullivan, who, in the course of his address based on the text “Except the Lord, build the house their labour is but lost that build it,” said: “This Church like some others means to New Zealand what some of the historic Cathedrals and parish Churches at Home mean to England. Eighty-seven years (for this building was opened in 1854) is a long time in the history of a country which has just celebrated its Centennial. The trustees of this building have been faithful stewards. Nothing has been done—nor will ever be done • —which in any way might minimise the historical value of this place. There have not been—nor again will there be—any structural alterations. When this building was first opened, and for some years after, the Maori parishioners sat on the floor or leant against the walls. There were no seats in those days, and the pews we have taken out, had no part in the true history of St. John’s. It is thought probable that they were placed in the Church in the late 19th century or in the early part of the 20th, and it is quite likely that they were at least the second lot of pews. They were badly infested with borer and in the opinion of the vestry, a menace to the fabric of the Church. These pews were not co-eval with the building, nor for that matter is any of the present furniture. This is not the original pulpit, nor is that the original altar; and when on Good Friday, 1854, Archdeacon Abraham opened this building for Divine service, he did not have that lectern, nor those prayer desks, nor was the singing accompanied by that organ. The original altar cross, faithfully preserved, now stands on that front cover, in the Baptistry.

“I think we may safely say,” Mr Sullivan added, “that these new seats, despite their recent construction, do much to add to the atmosphere of the Church and to enhance its beauty. Someone said to me the other day, that these are the best Church seats he has ever seen and I entirely agree with him. And now let me add a word of thanks. In the first place, to all those who have so generously and spontaneously given. In all upwards of 100 people have made theii contribution.

“Secondly I want to express my personal thanks and those of the Vestry and Church Committee, to Mr M H. Williams for his zeal and enthusiasm and energy in seeing this work through to its completion. It has been an exacting task and he has tackled it with refreshing optimism and cheerfulness. With him I would like to associate the name of Mr Wm. Mensfqrth, who undertook the important task of supervising the purchase of the timber and seeing that it was thoroughly dried. He further worked out the exacted measurements and was responsible for drawing up an excellent plan. I would also like to pay tribute to the firm of Messrs. Clark and McMillan, who constructed the pews and to acknowledge their conscientious and capable workmanship. “Except the Lord build the house—” This house, as far as we know was never dedicated or consecrated, but generations of faithful men and women who have worshipped here, have done that far more effectively than any service could do. Maybe we acknowledge their contribution in this little attempt to beautify theii Church and ours.

“May it appear so, in the sight of God and in the eyes of men.”