DIAMOND JUBILEE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19578, 26 August 1933, Page 7

DIAMOND JUBILEE

ST. AUGUSTINE’S, W AIM ATE CELEBRATIONS BEGIN TO-MORROW Matins and Evensong at St. Augustine’s Anglican Church, Waimate, tomorrow, will be devoted to the initial ceremonies connected with the celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of the opening of the church, when the pulpit will be occupied by the Ven. Archdeacon Monaghan in the morning and by His Grace Archbishop Julius in the evening. The official records of St. Augustine’s reveal the gratifying fact that its outstanding feature has been growth and expansion, with markedly few' changes in administrators and servants, the span of 60 years seeing but six vicars and a like number of vergers hold office. An amusing incident is found amongst the very early chronicles of the district, in which it is related that in 1846 when Bishop Selwyn, in company with the Maori chief Huruhuru, was travelling along the coast on one of his periodical visits, the party arrived at the banks of the Waitaki river on a Saturday night. The next day found the Bishop anxious to push on, and he asked to be ferried across the river. The Maoris, however, found that the observance of the Sabbath was one of the strongest features of their newlyfound Christianity, and the Bishop had therefore to give way. A howling nor’west gale sprang up early on Monday morning and continued for two days, during which time a crossing was impossible. Early Services. In the early days of Waimate, from 1865 onwards, regular Anglican services were conducted by the Vicar of Timaru at the house of Mr Michael Studholme, “Te Waimate.” The first move to establish an Anglican Church was made in 1870, and on July 20 of that year a meeting was held under the chairmanship of Mr J. W. Gaitt, when it was decided that an endeavour should be made to collect subscriptions for a stipend fund. Another outcome of the movement was the establishment of a Sunday School at the public schoolroom. At a parishioners’ meeting held on November 14, 1870, the chair was occupied by Bishop Harper, and the first church committee was elected, comprising Messrs Sheppard (hon. sec.), Proctor, Jackson, King and Tregonning. At a meeting held three days later, a moye w'as made to collect the sum of £l5O for the support of a curate in Deacon’s

Orders, and a vote of thanks was passed to Mr Studholme for his magnificent gift of five acres for a site for a chinch and parsonage. This property is situated in Parsonage road near the present eastern boundary of the town, and here the original vicarage was later built, and still stands, in a perfect state of preservation. A feeling, however, existed that a more central site for the church was necessary, and a meeting of the committee was held, at whicn Mr Studholme, who presided, congratulated the committee on the arrival of The first vicar, the Rev. (later Canon) W. A. Pascoe. A subscription list was opened, and eligible sites were inspected. In 1871 the present town site was chosen, and on June 3, a building committee was set up under the chairmanship of Mr Studholme. The amount paid to the Provincial Government for the site was £25. and at the following session of the Provincial Council it was proposed that the Germans of Christchurch, who had received from the Emperor a gift of three bells, should have the site they had chosen, the corner of Montreal and Worcester Streets—granted them free of charge. This was strenuously opposed, but was carried by a small majority. Then Mr George Buckley, who liked at Waikakahi, proposed that the sum paid for the site of the Waimate Church should be refunded, and this was carried, so St. Augustine’s had to thank the German bells for £25! At the next meeting of the Provincial Council it was resolved to make no further remissions to ecclesiastical bodies. Waimate was thus the last place to benefit in this respect. Pending the erection of the church, permission was obtained by the Committee to hold services at the school. On September 13, 1871, Mr Mountford’s plans for the church were adopted, the Committee having the sum of £2OO in hand. In April of the following year tenders were called in “The Timaru Herald” and the “Gladstone and Timaru Gazette,” the tenders of Messrs J. Gaitt and Dickinson at £349/14/being accepted. The timber for the building, heart of black pine and totara, was cut from the Waimate Bush, and it is interesting to note that the quotation for timber of these splendid varieties was in those days 10/6 a 100 ft delivered on the ground. Another point to be noted is that the worshippers of those days were not fastidious regarding personal comfort during divine service, as no provision for lining the church building was made until several years after its erection. Foundation Stone Laid. The foundation stone of the church was laid by the Vicar of Timaru on August 28, 1872, the festival day of St. Augustine of Hippo, and the church opening service took place on Christmas Day, 1972, which fell on a Sunday. The consecration ceremony, conducted by Bishop Harper, was not held until May 4, 1873. In November. 1875, plans, were obtained from Mr Mountford for a vicarage, the cost not to exceed £SOO, and the two storeyed building in Parsonage road was erected in the following year and served until 1914. when the Rev. A. Julius went into occupation of the modern dwelling on the section ad-

joining the church buildings, a large portion of the funds being raised by the sale of part of the glebe lands given by Mr Studholme. On January 23, 1875, the following were appointed trustees of the glebe lands of St. Augustine’s:—Messrs E. Elworthy, F. W. Teschemaker, Hughes, and Rev. A. W. Pascoe. With the passage of time extra accommodation for the parishioners was required in the church. An extension was made and at the same time the present tower was erected and later, permanent additions in the shape of the new eastern wing of the edifice materially enlarged the building. There appears to be no inscribed foundation stone for the original portion of the Church, but that of the new wing bears the following inscription:— To the Glory of God, For past memories, For present blessings, For future hopes. A.D. 1923. The Vicars. The following list comprises the clergymen who have officiated as vicars of the parish:— Rev. (later Canon) W. A. Pascoe, January 16, 1871 —1875. Rev. (later Canon) Charles Coates, March 14, 1876—1891. Rev. F. J. Southam, April 23, 1891— 1896. / Rev. McKenzie Gibson, June 5, 1986 —1914. Rev. (now Dean) J. A. Julius) February 1, 1914—1921. Rev. Canon P. J. Cocks, April 1, 1921 —1931. Rev. A. K. Warren, present Vicar. As showing the arduous nature of the work performed and the distances travelled in the early days, a glimpse at the itinerary of the Rev. W. A. Pascoe in convincing evidence. He took monthly services at 13 stations between Pareora on the north, Waitaki on the south, Ocean beach on the east, and Gibson’s station on the west. On the first Sunday in the month he conducted Matins in the Waimate public schoolroom, Evensong at Buckley’s or Parker’s, and worked along the Waitaki and Hakataramea districts during the week reaching home again on Saturday. On the second Sunday both morning and evening services were held in Waimate, and the week was spent in visiting parishioners in the town and near at hand. On the third Sunday he gave the morning service at Waimate and started north conducting Evensong in turn at Teschemakers, Elworthy’s and Turnbull’s (now Pareora Farm near St. Andrews). The remainder of the week was spent in visiting stations in this sector of the parish and the practice was to return home on the Friday. The six vergers who have been appointed to the Church are Messrs A. Vining, Jackson, T. Fagan, J. Mumford, J. Gatehouse, and the present official, Mr F. Drayton. The Sunday School. It was not until more recent times that an Anglican Sunday School was erected in Waimate. A lecture by

Bishop Harper, by which an amount of £B/13/- was raised, provided the nucleus of a fund for the purpose, and at a meeting held on April 8, 1897, the Rev. McKenzie Gibson propounded a scheme for raising funds to build a Sunday School, he himself to be respensible for raising the money. His scheme proved entirely successful, and in December, 1897, the present Sunday School was opened, the occasion being marked by a lecture given by Bishop Harper. Church Memorials. There are many memorials consecrated to the memory of past members of St. Augustine’s congregation. The Lych Gate at the entrance to the Church grounds contains a tablet bearing the following inscription: To the Glory of God. and in loving remembrance of Michael Studholme of his eldest and youngest sons, Michael Cuthbert and Geoffrey. Jesus saith I am the Resurrection and the Life; he that believeth in me though he die, yet shall he live. —This gate is here placed by Effie, devoted wife and mother. The bell tower structure carries an inlaid tablet inscribed:— To the Glory of God and in loving memory of Ruth, wife of Norton Francis and youngest daughter of Michael and Effie Studholme. This campanile was erected by her Husband. September, 1903. In the interior of the Church are placed a number of memorials which take the following form:— At the western end of the building a handsome stained glass window bears the inscription: “He opened His mouth and taught them.” In Memory of Michael Studholme, who died 28th September, 1886. Another window on the south side In front of the pulpit has the inscription: “In Loving Memory of James William Moorhouse, who died October 30th, 1866; and of his wife, Ann Emily, who died May 1, 1891. Erected by their daughter Rose Rhodes.” Behind the pupit in the southern wall another window is placed at the foot of which' is written: “To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of Fanny Genn. Died June, 1929.” The large window in the northern wall of the altar was erected “To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of Liuet. Clifford Clapsott Barclay, killed in action at Gallipoli, April 25, 1915.' The pulpit bears a plate inscribed: “In Memory of George Randall Freeman and his children, Sarah, Tom Molloy, John, Elizabeth and William Randall, erected by the Widow and the members of the family.” The dulciana stop in the church organ was installed by her parents in memory of Joan Fitts. A brass plate attached to the stand supporting the altar lights is inscribed: “Erected in Loving Memory of John and Jessie Urie, by Minnie Akhurst, 1924.” The alms dish was presented in mem-

ory of Sergeant Fredk. Thomas Hicks, M.M., N.Z.E.F., died 14/2/23. Various brass plates in the body of the church are inscribed as follows: "To the Glopr of God, and in commemoration of the glorious reign of VICTORIA, By the Grace of God, Queen and Empress, Defender of the Faith, 1837—1901. A thousand claims to Reverence closed in her as Mother, Wife and Queen. This tablet was placed by St. Augustine’s Guild.” “Sacred to the Memory of The Reverend Fredk. J. Southam, late Vicar of this Parish, who was accidentally killed on Easter Day, 1896. Aged 55 years. This tablet is placed here by the Parishioners in recognition of his faithful services.” “Erected to the Memory of William Jakes Stewart, Kt.. M.P. for the Electorate of Waitaki, South Canterbury, for thirty years from 1881 —1911 Entered in Rest, October 31, 1912. Erected by his Widow.” In Loving Memory of Dorothea Amunsden Kirby, For many years a faithful member of the congregation. Died March 22, 1926. Aged 76 years.” “Sacred to the Memory of William Henry Beckett, who died February 17, 1918.” Roll of Honour. The Church Roll of Honour, erected by St. Augustine’s Men’s Society, is headed: “These answered Duty’s Call for King and Country,” and contains the following names:— Major P. J. Wain, 'Lieut. F. D. Maurice, 'Lieut. C. C. Barclay, W. Brien, O. H. Bremner, 'E. Garland, E. J. Francis, J. Sturgess, Rev. McK. Gibson, Lieut. G. C. Dailey, C. J. Clear, R. Manchester, W. Menzies. J. C. Sullivan, J. G. Menzies, 'J. A. Scott, W. Manson, P. J. Foster, G. Kimber. K. R. Kearton, T. Atwill, R. H. G. Storey. E. H. Payze, Lieut. E. B. Fraser, N. E. Joyce, 'A. ’J. Bird, W. R. Ellen, P. P. McDonald, 'T. York, G. B. Bradshaw, *J. Bird, G. Clear, F. H. Ruddenklau, W. H. Court, R. Finn, J. King, W. White, R. E. Williams, 'G. Wilce, J. R. Orbell, H. H. Jackson, J. Englebrecht, »c. P. Chamberlain, J. R. Melton, C. C. Stanley, A. J. Attewell, J. Southerland, W. Glanville, W. A. Lindsay, G. E. Lovell, T. S. Russell, R. McLean, W. Blissard, K. Gibson, 'E. Rickman, D. Leeden, H. Hamilton. D. Cameron. W. Norrie, G. Black, W. Campbell, W. Brierley, L. Cameron. R. Cameron, G. Colville, W. Hawke, J. Marsh. C. J. Dugdale, C. H. Hertslet, A. Mackenzie, W. Merry, A. P. Price. D. Wilson, *J. Kimpton, A. J. Kirby. C. S. Heney. A. S. Blake, A. S. Garland, P. H. Wild, F. C. Brown. 'G. A. Brown, V. Jackson, W. H. Jackson, J. A. Melton, R. G. Byers, F. L. Hart, J. E. Svmon, R. Finn, *S. F Bell J W. Bird. * gave their lives in the cause of Liberty and Righteousness. Church Organisations. St. Augustine's organisations are widespread in the interests of the spiritual and social welfare of the parish. Officials are:—Vicar’s Warden, Mr S. I. Fitch; People’s Warden, Mr J. B. Robinson; Vestry Committee, Dr. A. G. Pitts, Capt. N. A. Rattray, Messrs J. Bird, C. C. Douglas, W. Fletcher, C. V. Hart, L. C. Hobbs. J. A. Lash, J. G. Menzies and J. C. Templer (hon. secretary). The St. Augustine's Sunday School, under Mr F. Drayton, has a teaching staff of 12, while the following organisations all show strong membership: Boys' and Girls’ Bible Classes, Girls’ Guild, Ladies’ Guild, Sanctuary Guild, Young Men's Club and Mother's Union!