ST AUGUSTINE'S CHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9216, 22 April 1908, Page 4

ST AUGUSTINE'S CHURCH.

4 ■ THE OPENING SERVICES. The latest acquisition to the Anglican parish of Sfc Saviour's, Sydenham, is the new church of St Augustine at Cashmere, a pretty little structure of Gothio architecture built in. white rough-cast concrete stucco with a slate roof. It is almost immediately in - a lino with Colombo Street, on the lower 6ide of the new level road branching at the Convalescent Home, and is a conspicuous and attractive addition to the rapidly growing settlement. Four years ago the trustees of the Cashmere Estate gave the land on condition that the building of a church was commenced with a reasonable prospect of completion within four years. Those interested worked whole-heartedly towards that end, and the church as it stands to-day is creditable not only to them, but to the settlement. Yesterday afternoon the church was formally opened by his lordship Bishop Julius. There was an exceedingly largo attendance, and long before three o'clock the small building was crowded to its utmost limits, even the vestry being filled with worshippers, and there was a considerable number unablo to gain admittance. The service was conducted by the Rev P. J. Cocks, vicar, and the lessons wero read by the Rev H. T. Purchas and the Yen Archdeacon Scott. Bishop Julius presided, and in a brief and appropriate Easter sermon dwelt on the power of recovery of the church. There was something, he said., very joyous* v to him in the opening of a now church, for it was as though they j gathered together and said, " The I church has many enemies and many difficulties, and there is much to make us fear death ; but we know she cannot die, and the life will again assert itself ; for Christ lives forever." After refering gratefully to the overcoming of the obstacles that had been raised to tli3 building of the church, his Lordship said that he was thankful with all his hoart to bo allowed to be present, and ho wished to thank those who had la- . boured and given towards the work. The church bears the name of St Augustine of Canterbury, the pioneer of Christianity in Saxon England, and, through tho good offices of the Rev Canon Coates contains an interesting memento of that old-time missionary, and of tho splendid abbey which arose on th© site of tho humble school and monastery which lie founded in Kent. Tho memorial is a piece of etone, worked in the twelfth or thirteenth century, which once formed part of a vaulted room in St Augustine's Abbey in Canterbury. The stone is about 16in in length , Gin in width and lOin in depth, , is squared at the back and moulded on what was, when it was in position in the i old building, the innor side. It has I boon utilised in the now church to sup- » port tho «tono slab of tho credence < table . <