ST. PAUL’S AND ST. JAMES

Taranaki Daily News, 8 November 1932, Page 14

ST. PAUL’S AND ST. JAMES

COUNTRY CHURCHES OF PARISH.

NORMANDY AND MOKOIA AREAS.

The churches of St. Paul, Normanby, and St. James, Mokoia, form part of the parish of St. Mary’s.. St. Paul’s was conceived in 1884 when Mr. Hirst offered a section. Subscription lists were opened and in due course the building was commenced by Mr. W. M. Bell.

The church was opened on February 3, 1885, the Rev. Whitehouse, Patea, preaching. Messrs F. H. Brett and Francis Gane were the first churchwards. In November of the same year His Lordship the Bishop confirmed the following candidates: Millicent Eagles, Ellen Dockery, Jane King, Clara King, Rose Gane, Florence E. Walker, Kathleen Brett, Blanche Isabel Riddle, Vero Riddle, Roderick Francis Walker and William H. Rye. St. Paul’s was consecrated on September 10. A solemn reminder of the turbulent early days of the province is the white wooden tablet in St. Paul’s which, is sacred to the memory of the following men who gave their lives in the Maori War: David Cahill, Thomas Squires, William Clarke, Joseph Geary, A. Beamish, Econemedus, Handly, Wallace, Macarty. and Smith.

Anglicans at Mokoia have to thank Mrs. James Lysaght for the church of St. James. This gift was in memory of her husband, one of the founders of the church in Hawera.

•The foundation stone of St. James’ was laid on January 30, 1905, by Bishop Wallis, the Rev. H. Anson acting as chaplain to the bishop. The design of the new church was from drawings by Mr. Clere, the diocesan architect, and the contractor was Mr. Whittington. The

church was consecrated on Sunday, June 25, 1905, by the 'bishop. The altar table, which was carved and given by Miss Caroline Lysaght, was dedicated a year later. The prayerbook in use belonged to Mrs. Lysaght’s grandmother. Mrs. Cecil Hawken has been superintendent of the Sunday school since its inception.