WESTMINSTER ABBEY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19990, 5 November 1927, Page 7

WESTMINSTER ABBEY

EXTENSION ESSENTIAL TWO PROPOSALS PUT FORWARD (Received Nov. 4, 5.5 p.m.) (A.P.A.-Sun) . LONDON, Nov. 3. 11 The enlargement of Westminster Abbey is of urgent national importance,” says the Church Assembly Cathedral Commission, issuing the report of which the Archbishop of York is chairman. The report says: “No further memorial space is available and the enlargement must not be delayed if the Abbey is to remain the shrine of the nation’s memories of great men and Women.” The sub-commission firmly rejected the idea of shifting the existing memorials or building a Hall of Fame elsewhere, and suggested the extension of the north side, to which some members objected that it would entirely change that aspect familiar to generations. It proposes alternatively a building less conspicuous, parallel with Henry Vll.’s Chapel on the east side. —The cost of the scheme to make an extension on the northern side is estimated at £50,000, and the east side buildings £150,000 to £200,000.

The Commission believes the latter, particularly if a special place were provided for past and present builders of Empire, would be assured of a large measure of support throughout the Empire.