S. PAUL'S CHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 2615, 11 August 1876, Page 3

S. PAUL'S CHURCH.

The ohuroh about to be orootod by the congregation of S. Paul's Presbyterian ohuroh will be a decided acquisition to tho coolosiaßtioal buildings of this city, both in point of arohiteoturo and tho aooommodation it will afford. Tho site is at the intersection df Caehei and Madras streets, and the ohuron will also have the advantage of prominoooe, together with oasy means of aooess to all parts. The front elevation is to abut on Cashol street thoroughfare, and will consequently have a northern aspeot, The dimensions of the building over all, as shown on tho plan, are 140 ft by 70ft lOin. The foundations are to bo of oonoreto, and tho superstructure will bo of brick, with stone dressings, if the tenders are within reasonable limits, and failing this, it will be of wood. Under any oiroumstanees, the plinth is to bo of Now Zealand granite, from Mr Tail's quarry, and judging from the specimen on view at Mr Farr'a offloo, it will look exceedingly well. The floor of tho ohuroh is to bo four foot abovo the ground level. The stylo of arohifcooturo is Grooian, whioh differs materially from what has hitherto been the rule in Christohuroh for buildings of this kind. The design is well oonoeived, and worked out with more than ordinary oare and skill. The front elevation has a striking appoaranoo. In the oentre there is a portico, supported by four Doric columns, with entablature and pediment, the apex of whioh reaohes to a height of 48i t. On the West side of tho portioo there is a bell tbwor, 105 ft in height, and on tho Easb, 0 tower 73ft in height. Both towers aro 21ft square at the base, and the upper portion of eaoh is in tho Corinthian order of arohitocture, highly enriohed. Tho domon aro especially handsome, tho terminals and trusßes boing riohly gilded. Tho portioo and both thp tawer entrances are approached by massive stone steps. Tho side walls are 40ft high, and aro relieved by a series, of massive pilasters of tho Dorio order, buvmounted by a oornioo whioh forms tho eaves of tho roof. On oaoh sido of the ohuroh there is a poroh giving ontranoo to the ground floor. Eaoh of theso ib surmounted by a pediment, supported on pilasters. Tho roof is to be of slato, with a very noat ventilating turret in the oentre. Threo othor ventilators of a now design are also provided on the apex of the roof. From the portioo in tho front elevation access is gained to the ohuroh through a vestibule Bft wido. The main floor I if 80ft by 60ft, and has a slope of eighteen inohes towards the pulpit, thus improving the view from tho baok seats. A gallery rum

round the interior of the building, its width at the north end being 26ft, at the south end 14ft, and at tho sides 12ft. At the south end there is also a coved apso for an organ. Tho gallery is supported on cast-iron columns of the Corinthian ordor, the woodwork in front of tho gallery being panelled and enriched. Tho height from tho main floor to tho gallery is 12ffc, and from tho front of tho gallery to tho ooiling 20fl, Gin. Tho walls are to bo plaotorod and distempered. Thoy are onoiroled by a handsome cornice, abovo whioh tho oeiling is oovod and panollod. The margin of the oovo is onriohed with perforations, whioh aot as yontilators. By a good arrangement of ventilating valvrs, supplied from air-duots passing through tho pilasters, tho vitiated air is drivon through the perforations in tho oove, and a oonstant current thus maintained in tho uppor portion of tho building. Amplo moans for artificial lighting aro provided by three patent sunlights, tho upper portions of whioh also aot as ventilators, and by numerous gas braokets under the gallory. Tho seating on tho ground floor > is inado to a radius on tho plan, thereby giving oomfortablo sittings and a good viow to all metubors of the congregation. The total seat ing spaoo of tho ohuroh is equal to about 1200 adults, or something like three times more than is afforded by the present building. At tho rear of tho ohuroh thoro are two vestries 24ft by 18ft, and boyond them an apse giving aoooss to the gallery. Both towers ftb the othor end of tho building also provido facilities for the same purpose Thoro aro in all eight ontranoes to tho .building, four of whioh load to the ground floor, and four to tho gallery. The windows are numerous, and will be glazed with fluted plate glass having coloured borders. The portioo, apso and porohes will bo floored with Portland oemont. All thf> doors in diroot contact with tho main floor and the gallery will be, fixed on patent double action springs, and by a oontrivanoo arranged by Mr Farr all possibility of draughts through theso ontranoes will be avioded. If a tender for brick is noooptod, the whole of tho extorior of the building will bo compoed and sanded with whito sand for all tho projections, and looal groy sand for all the otherparts. Thooolumns oi the portioo will also do oonstruotod of white stono from tho Alford Forest, or Kakanui quarries. If tho aoooptod tender is for wood, tho whole of tho exterior will bo sanded in the manner already explained. Tenders aro now invitod for tho erootion of the ohuroh.