RICCARTON'S HISTORICAL CHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7070, 11 April 1901, Page 1

RICCARTON'S HISTORICAL CHURCH.

— T- ♦— EARLY HISTORY OF ST PETER'S. The consecration of the new church of St Peter's at Riocarton to-day, by !his Lordchip Bishop Julius, opens up a field of recollections for those who are conversant with Canterbury's early history. Though the wanderw over Canterbury Plains does sot experience a feeling that he is treading the dust of Empires — a feeling which comes to travellers in tie East — the 'history of early Canterbury is> nevertheless, full of interest, and the history of St Peter's §Jmrch, at Riccarton, is intimately acgrciated wjth the early days of the province. The first bouse built on the Plains /,-as erected at Riccarton by the Messrs yeans Bros in 1843, and thus commenced history of Riccarton, though in 1842 Niere had been settlement on the site of nristchurch, but it was abandoned. In Ihose years of pioneering living was naturally- very primitive, but the work of colonisation was carried-' on with ceaseless industry. In 1848 the New Zealand; Company pur .based all the land along the East Coast from the Maoris, and the Deans Bros ■were then able to exchange lands in other parts of New Zealand for 400 acres at what the Maoris called Potoringamotu, but which Mr William Deans named Riccarton, after his native parish in Ayrshire. ' The Deans Bros also gave its name to the Avon, a "stoned, sweet stream "" which Chaucer would have loved, after the Avon River which bounded their grandfather's property as Canterbury's river bounded their own. Then, -after the first four ships arrived, and settlement proceeded vigorously,; it '.was natural that the pioneers "should %ur^ tfieV attention to the establishment of a branch of the old- church they so loved, and whjch is so intimately associated with Vhe history t>f this fair province. In the course of an üble article in the "New Zealand Church News," contributed by the Rev W. T. Winter, M.A., the present incumbent of St Peter's, that gentleman states that for some eighteen month's in 1852-3, services were held fortnightly at Mr Deans'' house by the Rev Puckle, but after this there does not seem to have been any regular ministrations of the church until 1857, although Riccarton was constituted a parish in 1854, its boundaries being then very extensive. In 1857 the Rev Croasdaile Bowen, afterwards Archdeacon Bowen, was ordained and placed in charge of the parish. He proceeded at once to set on foot a movement for the erectionof a church, and after a labour of love the sacred edifice was completed and was (states the Rev Mr WinteT), consecrated by Bishop Harper on April 6, 1858, the Rev Croasdaile Bowen being formally licensed to the cure on April 9. For thirty-three years, until ibis death" on Jan. 3, 1890, the Rev C. Bowen, who had endeared himself to every heart, laboured amongst 'his flock, and many who will take parb in the service to-day entertain loving recollections of his ministry. After the consecration of the church the parish grew rapidly, and it was found necessary to enlarge the building, which, was carried out in. 1859 by the lengthening of the nave and the small aisle, and the adding of the north transept and a chancel. The tower was erected dm 1861. In 1876 a new chancel, built in stone, .was placed at the end of the old chancel, and no\r the tramsept and the two bases of the nave have been completed, the whole forming the beautiful building which will be consecrated today. The south transept has deceived two Windows which were in the old church, »nd the north transept window is being filled in in memory of the late Mrs Wilson, widow of Archdeacon Wilson. This renewing work was only commenced after last Easter, and the project met with liberal support from the parishioners, the sum of £1345 being subscribed, which now only leaves £150 to be obtained to pay off the debt. Unfortunately for years, remarked the Rev Mr Winter, the parish ihad been burdened with a heavy debt, which was a hard task for the parishioners to pay off. Over £50 has been spent in enlarging the school, and £165 for building a new sexton's cottage, the old house, adjoining the school, being converted into class-rooms. The schoolroom, -which originally served as a day school, was erected in 1859, and is still in sound condition. ■^The glebe land was given oy Archdeacon lathias, who for many years took much « interest in the parish affairs. In the old Ijiurch yard many of the brave pioneers $cc taking their last long rest, and it is .. irely meet that the service this morning ..iiould "breathe a benison over the slespdust." The present vicar is the Rev W. T. • ■^Dchin Winter, M.A., who was ordained jfb 1878 .by the Bishop of Peterborough, •£■ td instituted to the cure of Riccarton in *890.