ST. MARY'S MERIVALE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3653, 26 December 1879, Page 3

ST. MARY'S MERIVALE.

The Christmas decorations of this church were distinguished by. the good taste and appropriateness of the design, and the skill with which that design had been carried out. The principal feature in tho decorations of the church was a large white Greek foliated crosß, rising from the Communion table. .On the centre of this cross was placed a scarlet, sir pointed star, within a circle of evergreens, bearing tho letters 1.H.8., abovo this design was an illuminatod text — "The word was made flesh," surmounted by a foliated cross of white lillies. On each side of the chancel arch was suspended a bannerot of white silk, bearing a Maltese cross of crimson velvet. The lectern was wreathed with ferns, evergreens and flowers, and bore the letters I.H.S. in blue and gold on a ground of white silk. The reading deak wa9 also wreathed with greenery and flowers, and bore a white shield with a cross of evergreens. The choir seats were wreathed with evergreens, interspersed with flowers, and in front of the seats were placed several pot plants, lent for the occasion by Mrs J. Btudholme. The organ was decorated with greenery and flowers, and bore in front of the pipes tho word " Alleluia " in red letters on a white ground, surmounted by a white banneret, bearing sacred symbols in purple. In tho beam marking the division between the aisles and tho transept, were placed two Greek foliated crosses formed of white lillies. Tho pillars, window frames and dado were wreathed with evergreens and flowers. Several Bi"x-pointed stars containing various sacred symbols, and formed of evergreens, were hung on the walls, over the doorß, and botweon the windows. In the angles formed by the pillars and beams of the traneept were placed four white shields, bearing illuminated sacred symbols. On the arch opposite the north doors was the text — "Unto us a child is born " in richly illuminated characters on a white ground. The font was tastefully wreathed with evergreens and flowers, principally white lilies, and was surmounted by a cross formed of white lilies. The work of decorating was most effectively carried out by a large number of the ladies of the congregation, under the direction of the incumbent, the Rev T. Flavell.