OPUNAKE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 10335, 17 June 1895, Page 2

OPUNAKE.

[from our own correspondent J OPENING OF THE ANGLICAN CHURCH. Ox Sunday, June 2nd, the above eburoh was opened, and although the weather w,\s not good, the building was fall. Tho Rev. J. W. Chapman officiated ;«fc both services, which were choral. Miss Zoa Prosper presided at tho or^an; Mi'scUnies Stotfc and King, of jVlanain,itid Mr Moroy, of tho same district, assi=>fc«l in tho cb»Mr. Jlr Parish is to be congratul.a tl for th^ nble manner he brought out tho choristers. Collections were made, which wore satis, factorily responded to.

The following is an excellent description of the church, which I take from tha Opunalct Times: — The new building is one of the handsomest on the coast, and considering the limited means at command rejects great credit on tho designer, Mr Clere, the diocesan architect Internally tho church 19 finished entirely in the natural woods, dressed and oiled, tha rich tones of which blend in perfect harmony with the subdued tints of the cathedral glass windows. The nave and vestibule are not ceiled, the rafters and sarking being dressed and finished, but the rectangular chancel -which faces the north ia cove-ceiled with matched boarding. Sitting accommodation i& provided for about 120 persons in tho nave of tha church, which measures 31 feet 6 inches by 18 feet, and contains 18 pews. With tho high pitch of the roof there is no chanco of stuffiness, so often complained of in church, even in the coldest weather. The walls at the eaves at 12 feet high, and at the iidge 30 feet high. Externally, the building is upright boarded, with covering battens in keeping with the perpendicular style of the building, corrugated iron roof, painted warm hematite. On the southern side of tho roof is a small but graceful spiro or bell-cote, 24ft high, in which it is intended to hang either a heavy bell or ono of Harrington's patent tubes. All tho windows are glazed with cathedral glass in leaded, diamond panes. Considerable delay arose from having to await the arrival of the g'ass from England, but on its arrival the contractors used all possible haste and completed the work. Great credit is due to the builders, Messrs Itoss and Co., for the thoroughly workmanlike manner in which the architect's design was carried out. and the thorough inaoner in which the work was executed. The whole of the sweeps, mouldings and window hudds &c, wero hand worked here in Opunake. no poition of the carpentry being either imported or sub-let. The Executive Committeo to whosa efforts Opuneke people are-indebted for .the above Church are Rev. J. "VW Chapman, Messrs Newmaft, Middleton, Rogers . and Raikes, and they maybe congratulated on the successful result of their onergetio. exertions. The Rev. Mr and Mi-s Chapman and family are guests " of Tkfr and Mrs G. W. Rogers. A christening" took place in the evening of the opening of the church, it being tha first infant of Mr and Mrs • Eason: Mrs G. AY. Rogers was the child's godmother.

On Monday evening (Juno 4th )-a meeting of the parishioners was helo in tha Schoolroom, when the Rev. Mr Chapman presided. Mr G-. VT. Bogern "and "Mr E« t C. Middleton were eleated churchwardens^, and Messrs H. J. Newman, Bushe-Bailey,. H. Eason, J. Eatock," Howard Seccomb»j Armstrong,"- and Harding wera elected Vestrymen. I should have told, you that a basket supper and dance in aid of the Church. funds took place on the' Queen's Birthday, when £15 was netted. MrW. D. Scott, the popular knight of the hammer, ofuS eifttod as auctioneer very .successfully.