PRESBYTERIAN PROGRESS

Taranaki Daily News, 8 April 1927, Page 9

PRESBYTERIAN PROGRESS

NEW CHURCH AT INGLEWOOD OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY, SPECIAL DEDICATION SERVICE. A memorable milestone on the path of progress of the Presbyterian Church in Taranaki was passed yesterday, when the new church in Inglewood was officially opened and dedicated. Visiting Presbyterian clergy from various parts of Taranaki were present, as well as clergy of other denominations resident in Inglewood, and after a short but impressive service the congregation were lavishly entertained by the ladies of the ehurch. The new church is a handsome solid concrete structure built in pure Gothic style, and both within and without creates at once an impression of dignity and reverence. It is actually built on to the end of the old wooden ehurch hall in Cutfield Street, from which it is separated by a temporary dividing wall of lath and plaster, the reason being that the ehurch may be extended when required at some future time. The new portion, which was erected at a cost of £1250, is, however, an entire unit in itself. As is natural with churches of its size, it has not the “long drawn aisle and fretted vault” which contributed to the immortality of Gray’s elegy, but it will be a long time before the 150 people present forget the surge of emotion as in stirring unison their pealing anthems swelled the note of praise. If environment counts for anything, it will have a considerable influence on the worshippers in this church, for it is difficult to imagine a more inspiring atmosphere than that created yesterday as in slanting rays the sun streamed in through the Gothic cathedral leads, playing light and shadow on the faces of the congregation, and disseminating a subdued lustre on the pale dove grey plaster of the walls. FEATURES OF THE BUILDING. The roof is of rib construction, the ceiling being finished in ornamental fibrous plaster, while the roof timbering is in Oregon pine, stained a handsome dark walnut. The church is heated and lighted with electricity. - The old church has undergone certain alterations, the old vestry at the back being converted into a kitchen complete with hot and cold water and other appointments, while the main hall has been adapted for Sunday School and general meeting purposes.

The opening ceremony began yester - day when the local minister (the Rev. J. H. Boyd) presented the key of the church to Mrs. D. Allen, one of the foundation members of the church in Inglewood. Mrs. Allen inserted the key in the lock, turned the door handle, and then formally declared the church open. The Moderator of the Taranaki Presbytery (Rev. J. W. MacGregor, Stratford) presided at the service. Other ministers who assisted in conducting the service were the Revs. J. D. Wilson (New Plymouth), R. E. Evans (Hawera), J. Ryburn’ (Eltham), J. D. Smith (Manala), and J. H. Boyd (Inglewood). Representatives of other churches present were Ensign Summerfield (Salvation Army), H. Lindsay (Anglican) and J. W. Bayliss (Methodist). The lessons read during the service were from I. Kings, chapter 8, verse 22, referring to the dedication of the temple, and the first chapter of St. Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians. The address was moulded on the text from the second lesson, “And he is the head of the body, the church; who is the beginning, the first born from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-emi-nence.” In this address, the speaker exhorted his congregation to recognise the church and the'Christian ideal for which it stood. INSPIRING HYMN SINGING. Four favourite hymns appropriate to the occasion were sung during the service. They were No. 470, “Let, I beseech Thee, Thine eyes be open, and let Thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place”; No. 294, “The Lord our God be with us, as He was with our fathers”; No. 373, “Lord, I have loved the habitation of Thy house, and the place where Thine honour dwelleth”; and No. 1157 “Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when He cometh shall find watching.” After the service the congregation adjourned to the hall, where sumptuous refreshments were provided by the Ladies’ Guild, with the assistance of all the ladies of the church. The president of the guild (Mrs. J. H. Boyd) and her assistants had organised their part of the- afternoon’s function with a thotoughness and efficiency that formed the subject of everyone’s admiring comment. The tables were beautifully decorated, and much time had been spent on the guests’ table, for which Mrs. Stewart was chiefly responsible. The function terminated with brief addresses by the Revs. Boyd, McGregor, Lindsay and Bayliss, Ensign Summerfield and Mr. R. Stuart. An apology for absence was received from the Mayor of Inglewood (Mr. R. Darlow). One and all of the speakers congratulated the parishioners on the substantial evidence of their earnestness and faith in the lorm of the new church, and expressed the conviction that the growth of the ehurch was in keeping with the growth of Inglewood. The architects (Messrs. Messenger, Griffiths*and Taylor), and the contractors (Messrs. Arthur and Addinell) received warm congratulations, which were acknowledged by Mr. 11. V. S. Griffiths and Mr. Addinell.