WAIKATO BISHOPRIC

Waikato Times, Volume 101, Issue 16947, 9 November 1926, Page 6

WAIKATO BISHOPRIC

CATHEDRAL "CHURCH. CONSTITUTION OF ST. PETER'S. . A general meeting of parishioners of St. Peter's, Hamilton, was held last night in the nave of the Church. The Vicar, who presided, said that it was found when it was too late to alter the date. Ihe Parish Hall had been engaged for Monday night at S o'clock for another purpose. .It seemed to him, therefore, considering the nature of the business for which they were called, and that it was non-contentious, that it was suitable to meet in the nave of St. Peter's. The chairman then proceeded to remind those present that a church was a cathedral only by reason of its containing the official seat —kathedra—of the Bishop of the Diocese. It was not, primarily, a question of the size of the building, the style of architecture, or anything else, though it was generally an honour conferred upon the mother church of the Diocese. The Bishop constituted a particular church his Cathedral by placing his official seat therein; but it was fitting that where a building was really a parish church, the parishioner's should Have an opportunity of expressing their wishes in the matter. The Archdeacon then outlined tha kind of arrangement which was entered into by the Bishop and the parochial authorities where a parish ohurch was used as a Cathedral Church, as was the case in Auckland and Napier. He concluded by pointing out that St. Peter's was, in fact, the Mother Church of the Waikato, inasmuch, as, not very many years . ago, Ihe .Vicar of Hamilton had under his care what are now the parishes of Cambridge, Tc Aroha, Morrinsville, Hunlly, Raglan, Kawhla, and, of course, Frankton. Mr 0. R. Farrer as People's Warden, then proposed, "That this meeting of parishioners of St. Peter's Hamilton, request the Bishop of Waikato to constitute St. Peter's Church, Hamilton, his Cathedral Church." Mr Farrer said that it was fitting that St. Peter's should be the Cathedral, as it was, as the Vicar had said, the Mother Church- of this part of the Diocese; but the parishioners must remember that although in handing over their parish church to be the Cathedral Church they were not only receiving a great privilege, but they were also incurring a great responsibility, because although they might receive a certain amount of help from the rest of tho Diocese, the main work and expense of making St. Peter's a worthy cathedral would fall on the parishioners of Hamilton themselves, and he was sure that they would accept that responsibility. Mr Parrcr remarked lhat he had attended St. Peter's since he came from England as a small boy of seven, and he was glad Ho propose this motion as People's Warden. Mr F. A. Snell, a former Churchwarden, and now Deputy-Mayor of the Borough, said that he had much pleasure in seconding the resolution. He also had attended St. Peter's for the past 25 years, and was glad to have the opportunity of supporting what Mr Farrer had said. On the chairman calling for a show of hands there was. a unanimous vote for the motion. After the Grace, the parishioners dispersed as quietly as they came. It is recognised that in point of age' and beauty, St. Peter's cannot compare with St. Mary's Church, New Plymouth, which will keep its 80 th anniversary this year. St. Peter's, however, has in it the making of a really fine church if the • people of Hamilton keep their visloa large enough.