THE NEW REREDOS IN ST. MARY’S CHURCH, NEW PLYMOUTH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue XI, 18 March 1899, Page 327

THE NEW REREDOS IN ST. MARY’S CHURCH, NEW PLYMOUTH.

The parishioners of St. Mary’s, New Plymouth, are always devising- means for beautifying their ehurch, which is one of the oldest in New Zealand. The latest addition is the erection of a reredos. to commemorate the fifty years of ministry of the Ven. Archdeaeon Govett in that parish. On March 13th, 1898, a special service was held in the church to commemorate the jubilee of the Ven. Archdeacon’s ministry in Taranaki, and it was then decided that a suitable memento of the occasion should be erected in the shape of a reredos. A subscription was raised amongst the congregation for the purpose, and an order sent to England to have a handsome one executed. Tn course of time the work was accomplished, and erected, and on Sunday afternoon, February 19th, it was unveiled before a very large congregation. The service was opened with the processional hymn, when, after the evening service had been read, the l!ev. F. G. Evans, Vicar of the parish,'delivered a most eloquent discourse. He referred to the devotion of the Ven. Archdeacon Govett during his fifty years’ labour yt love, ami to the self-denial of the settlers, and their determination to erect a suitable monument to commemorate their

faith by building a noble and substantial church, in which they were that day assembled. The reredos, he added, was a suitable addition, and would serve to remind them of the troubles, trials, and losses of their early days. Miss Hirst, on behalf of her mother (the oldest member of the congregation), unveiled the reredos, after which a dedicatory prayer was offered up. An offertory was then made, during which Mr Garry played a suitable eornet solo, which resounded well within the stone walls of the ehurch. He was accompanied on the organ by Mr Cooper, the organist. The old Archdeacon, who was visibly affected by the occurrence, in a few words thanked his people for the •beautiful memorial of their kindness," and in a faltering voice, caused by great emotion, said in return he could only wish them all ‘God’s blessing, both here and hereafter." The reredos is a very beautiful piece of work, and was executed by Messrs Jones and Willis, of London. The style is plain Gothic-pointed arches and pinnacles, ami has been carved out of Caen stone. 'The centre portion is divided into five panels: one large and four small. The larger panel contains a cross, having at its base a brass tablet with the inscription: — ‘To commemorate the 50 years' ministry of Archdeacon Henry Govett in this parish. The gift of the parishioners. 1898.’

The shafts of the dividing columns are of marble in the central portion and of alabaster in the side pieces. Suitable trefoils are placed over the arches, ami plain pinnacles in suitable positions, which greatly relieve rhe upper portions of the work. Owing to the light from the window over the reredos. much difficulty was experienced in taking a photograph of it. and we are indebted to Mr John Cook, of the Survey Office. New Plvmoiith. for the illustration we produce to-day. lie. with Mr W. H. Skinner, went to much trouble to procure it. thus enabling us to publish a very interesting record of Archdeacon Govett’s fifty years’ ministration in Taranaki.