FOUNDATION STONE LAID

Taranaki Daily News, 3 August 1931, Page 11

FOUNDATION STONE LAID

NEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ST. ANDREW'S, NEW PLYMOUTH. DOUBLE CEREMONY PERFORMED. The foundation stone of the new St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church being constructed on the corner of Liardet and Courtenay Streets, New Plymouth, was laid on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a- large number of church people of the Presbyterian and other churches. The 'ceremony was a double event. The Masonic laying was performed by the Right Won. Bro. T. C. Fookes, Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Taranaki, and the church laying bv the Rev. Professor W. Hewitson, ILA., ex-Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand and . master of Knox. College, Dunedin. The Rev. J. D. McLennan Wilson, minister of St. Andrew’s charge,, led the service. The service was opened with the hymn, “All ,people that on earth do dwell,” for which the Regimental Band and the Pipe Band played, and a Scripture lesson was read by the Rev. H. ,C. Stuart, Moderator of the Presbytery, who led in prayer* and in the affirmation of the Apostles’ creed. Following the hymn “The Church's One Foundation,” the Masopic ceremony was commenced.

- From time immemorial, . eaid Mr. Fookes, it had been regarded as the appropriate’province of Freemasonry to lay the foundation stone of a building consecrated to God. He expressed pleasure at beinw invited to assist in the ceremony anti congratulated the Presbyterians on the consummation of a great forward movement in the church. The absence of the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, was to. be regretted, for his presence both as Governor-General and Grand Master of the Order had been looked forward to. CHERISHED MEMORY. Mr. Fookes apologised for the absence of the Provincial Grand Master, the Right Wor. Bro. G. W. Rogers, and paid a tribute to one whose-memory was greatly cherished by Masons and by the members of St. Andrew’s Church, the Right’Wor. Bro. W. .Ewing, a past Grand .Master and a late member of Presbytery,',who had left .behind him a splendid example and inspiration to his brethren, of the .craft and the. members 'of ’the church... 'll. , „.. . ‘hbom Brofe;, Ltd.,‘ the builders of the church, presented to the officiating officer a trowel which he said was a model of a working tool and which fie hoped would serve to see that the stone Was well and truly laid. The gravel was presented on behalf .of the architects, Messrs. Clere and Clere, by Mr., W. L. .Thompson. .. ' ■ In the Masonic ceremony the officiating officer was assisted by. V. Wor. Bro. A. L. Hammond', and Wor. Bros. A. E. Washer, ,E. Chatterton, E. C* Hayton, G. H. .Gallaher,. ,K.. N. Andrews, ’W- L. Rockstrow and W. C. Gentles.

' When the church ceremony had been completed and a/prayer ‘ of dedication offered by. Mr. Hewitson, Mr. Wilson expressed regret at the absence of the Governor-General, of whose good wishes ha had been assured. The members of the church, he said, were pleased to have the presence of so many on such a day, and especially that of Mr Hewitson, one of the great men in the. church and One of the. greatest churchmen in New Zealand. Mr. Wilson expressed pleasure also at the presence, of the Moderator (Mr. Stuart), the Minister.of Labour (the HoU. S. G. Smith),, the'.Mayor (Mr. H. V. S. Griffiths), Masonic brethren/ the representatives of local bodies, the citizens of the town and the representatives of other churches, who had at times rendered great. service to the Presbyterian Church. THE FIRST SERVICE. It was 73 years, Mr. Wilson said, since the Rev. Thom, had come from Wellington to conduct the first Presbyterian services in the town. Since then the church had many arid varied lts successes aud joys were not infrequently touched with, disappointment and - defeat, but it must have, been that indestructible element in the church which -enabled it to go on from faith to faith and from strength to strength. , The foundation stone just laid was that of , the third church. The first was destroyed by fire, the second was now 47 years old, and the third, the new church, he trusted, would be to many a hope of salvation and a source of inspiration and strength' for 100 years. The building would seat 500 people. Three and a-half years ago an appeal was made and in. a fortnight a promise of £4500 was received. The church, was to-day borrowing £4500 to complete the undertaking, and he made an appeal for assistance. A tribute was paid by Mr. Hewitson to the Governor-General, in whom the country was singularly blessed. Lord Bledisloe was a faithful representative of the King and of the Church. He had done all he could to strengthen the bonds of Empire and he had shown a live interest in the people and institutions of New Zealand. He had also shown that religion was something that could be made a personal thing. It was hoped he would soon bo restored to health. Professor Hewitson expressed his pleasure at again being associated in, the ceremony with Mr. Wilson, who was an old student of his .at Knox College. ‘‘The fundamental principle of a building in substance, structure and style,” Professor Hewitson t?aid in speaking of the architecture of churches, “is the purpose which it should serve, I am not a Mason, but I think I know something about church buildings, fori I have been going to church since I was a boy and I have 'seen churches from two points of view—-those of the pew and the pulpit, . ‘‘The pK’-pose of a church is the worship of God, and that purpose should be written plain on its exterior and its interior. 1 could tell a Masonic hall if !■ saw one in any town by the eign it bears upon it. ;>pd I could toll by the sign that it had been built to teach

men to live on the square. All the churches of Christendom are built on the cross shape to show that the Cross is the foundation of the faith, and at the top of them is a cross. That is what a church should proclaim—its foundation upon the Cross. It should also have a spire to speak of heavenly inspiration. Its door should be opeu to show its welcome to all, and its grounds .should be cared for to show the love of the people for it.” As soon as one entered a Christian church and should know one was inside a place of worship, continued Professor Hewitson, in outlining a few of the points. he considered desirable in , the structure of a church. The first was the acoustics. As the Presbyterian service was n on-liturgical and the minister took the greater part of the service he should be able to be heard. The chief difficulty- in churches was the Gothic roof, which was fatal to clear speaking. The minister should also be visible, for he talked with his face and form as well as his voice. The congregation should also be all visible to the minister.

That was for the ministry of the word, and for the ministry of the B’acrament there should be permanent and plainly, visible furniture. The font should be near tin front door as in the Anglican Church, for baptism was just as great a sacrament as communion. The communion table should be worthy of its purposes aud should be visible. With all these conditions satisfied churches would be worthy of the purpose for which they were built.Mr. Griffiths congratulated the Presbyterians on their wise choice of a site for the church. ’lt should, he said, be a mighty church in the community, and he hoped that the ideals stated by Professor Hewiteon of what a church should be would be realised. Expressing hopes fbr the success of the .church and extending a welcome 'to Professor Hewitaon on behalf of the people of New Plymouth, Mr. Griffiths . said he hoped the- laying of the stone would start a forward movement not only in Presbyterianism but in all church work throughout New Zealand. After the ceremony afternoon tea was served in St. Andrew’s Church hall.