NEW NELSON CATHEDRAL

Taranaki Daily News, 30 November 1932, Page 3

NEW NELSON CATHEDRAL

A GRACEFUL EDIFICE. DEDICATION QN SATURDAY. The dedication of the beautiful and graceful new Nelson Cathedral will take place on Saturday next, and the Primate of New Zealand, Archbishop Averill, as well as other bishops, have intimated that it is their intention.. to attend the ceremony. That 'date was decided upon to give members of the Diocesan _ Synod, which meets at the end of November, the opportunity of being present. The' building, which is a little more than a fourth part completed, is situated on one of the most perfect sites in the world, on Church Hill, where, until three months ago, ■ the old cathedral stood. The style of the .architecture is that of the first period of Early English Gothic, which is generally regarded as the most perfect period. < It'. has been stated that in its simplicity the cathedral is sublime. The main entrance doors and aisles, roofs and vestibule, are examples of the splendid timber that New Zealand can produce, and the heart cf rimu, of which doors, roofs, vestibule and gallery are made, is particularly handsome. The baptistry windows are of stained glass and very beautiful. An indication that the btulding is modem in equipment is seen in the fact that a hot-water system has been installed and is working splendidly. Sponge rubber runners in nave and aisle passages and between, piers and seats provide comfort for worshippers. The external length of the cathedral, when completed,. will be 188 ft 6in, the external width of nave at clerestory level 34ft 6in, and, including its aisles, 62ft The greatest width of the cathedral across the vestibule and porch is 110 ft; height of parapet of central tower, 124 ft 3in; spire above floor, 210 ft The foundation stone was laid, by the former Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, on August 2, 1925. The' first services in the nave were held on July 31 last. The architect for the cathedral was Mr. Frank Peck, 'A.R.1.8.A., who is now deceased.

How long the work is to remain unfinished is a question that naturally arises in the minds of all those who have seen the cathedral. This will depend on the liberality of churchmen and others, but it is the opinion of the Dean of Nelson that it wilL not take long to be an accomplished fact. He said that most of the glorious cathedrals of Christendom were the work of centuries,