OPENING OF St. PHILIP'S CHURCH, TARIKI.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 11003, 21 August 1897, Page 2

OPENING OF St. PHILIP'S CHURCH, TARIKI.

Ok Thursday, August 19th, St. Philip's Church, Tariki, was opened with an imposing and reverent ceremony, the choirs ef St. Mary's, New Plymouth, St. Andrew's, Inglewood, and St. Philip's i taking part. The service consisted of a | short dedicatory Bs;Tfc#< yith apecial i psalms and benedictiofS&gXl the Holy Communion, the latter s*^ ;»to being sung to Mr Leslie Hunt's Retting (dedicated to the .Primate of New Zealand and used in St. Mary's Pio- Cathedral, Auckland). The opening sentences and prayers were taken by the Rev. C. W. Robinson, the lesson by the Rev. H. Mason, and the dedication prayers by tho Rev. F. G. Evans. The Rev. N. D. Boyes read the anti - communion office, the Rev. H. J Masoa~being gospeller, and the Roy. F. G. Evans celebrant, as-isted by ths Rev. O. W. Robinson us deacon . An admirable sermon was preached by the Rev. F. G. Evans, who referred to the holiness of places and things as well as the infinite and immeasurable holiness of God. Despite the wet weather the church was crowded, i many persons being obliged to stand in the porch and vestry, and a large number received the holy communion, the whole congregation staying throughout the service. The singing was most hearty and Teverent, Mr Cooper presiding at the organ, and the St. Philip's choir (Mr Lewin choirmaster) acquitted themselves most creditably. Hymn 396 was sung as a processional, and 215 as recessional The church measures 44 feet in length and is very well furnished and fitted, and J will bo a really beautiful little church j when lined and finished. The holy i talble has a high dossal behind it, with hangings of red and gold at either side, and red hangings are being made for pnlpit, Iffotern, and prayer-desk : the hangings, altar frontal and alter linen are I all presents, as is also the bell, which has Lnofc yet arrived. Tha altar cross is made of a piece of puriri of the old Waiwakaiho bridge, 40 years old, and is also a gift to the church. The ladies of Tariki very "generously provided an excellent luncheon and tea, and the visitors were taken for a short journey up the Sash & Door Company's tramway into the bnsb. Had tho weather allowed, Mr McElwain, of Inslowood, was ready to photograph the surpliced choirs. Ho will, however, have photos of the church for sale shortly, and many will no doubt bo glad to have mementos of this great day for Tariki. In the eveiug aa orgun recital was given, many excellent solos and anthems wero sung as well as two hymns, and the Rev. C. W. Robinson pronounced the benediction. The offertories at service and organ recital together with a fow small sums will amount to over £9, and all those who have worked so hard and self-deny-ingly may congratulate themselves on not only the amount raised at this dull time of the year, but on the erection of so substantial and reverent a building as St. Philip's Church undoubtedly is. Services are to be held every Sunday morning and evening, Sunday School in the afternoon, and choir practices every Thursday evening.