New Zealand Churches.

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, Volume 1, Issue 12, 1 September 1900, Page 896

New Zealand Churches.

ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL,- AUCKLAND.

fNTIL the early fifties, the few scattered settlers on the manukacovered slopes of what is now the populous suburb of Parnell, attended divine service in the historic old Church on Point Britomart, which unhappily disappeared before the supposed necessities of commercial progress. In the

early fifties St. Barnabas' Church was erected on the point between St. George's and Mechanics' Bays, as a building in which the Maoris, who then visited Auckland in large numbers, might worship. Mr. George A. Kissling (afterwards Archdeacon of Waimate), of the Church Mission Society, through whose efforts this Church was

mainly erected, had charge. By permission of Bishop Selwyn, English services were also held in the Church. The Sunday services were as follows: — Maori, 11a.m. and 4.30 p.m. ; English, 9.30 a.m. and 3 p.m. They were taken by Mr. Kissling, who was assisted in the English services by the Rev. Mr. Kinder.

As Parnell extended and the population increased, it was decided to erect a Church in a more central position for the use of Europeans — and the first St. Mary's Church was erected on the pi'esent site. The funds for this work were raised by subscription, and by the sale of work held in the late Colonel Nations grounds, ■which

realised a large amount. The plans for the building were supplied by the Rev. Fred. Thatcher, who was by profession an architect. Among those then who were members of the congregation were many who figured prominently in the early history of the colony, such as Sir Wm. Martin (the first Chief Justice), Mr. Swainson (the first Attorney-General), Mr. F. H. Bartley (first Speaker of the Legislative Council), Mr. C.

W. Richmond (Colonial Treasurer, and afterwards Judge of the Supreme Court), Mr. Grisborne (afterwards Colonial Secretary), Mr. Henry Sewell (AttorneyGeneral), Mr. Eeader Wood (at one time Colonial Treasurer), Sir Dillon Bell (the late Agent-General), Dr. Knight (AuditorGeneral), and others. Archdeacon Kissling was appointed first incumbent, and continued to hold that position until struck down by illness. In the hope that he would be able to resume his duties, Bishop Selwyn

declined to accept his resignation, and himself became responsible for the charge of tho parish, and for some years the parishioners of St. Mary's were privileged by being ministered to by Bishop Selvvyn, who was largely assisted in the work by Bishop Patteson. Mr. Dudley (now Ai'chdeacon) was appointed to undertako tho parochial duties. In 1865, owing to continued illness, Arch-

deacon Kissling resigned the charge of the parish, and Archdeacon Maunsell, who had been driven from his station in the Waikato by the native war, accepted the charge. During his incumbency the Church was twice enlarged, an organ was provided at a cost of £500, and a property was purchased in Scarborough Terrace, on which a schoolhouse was erected. Archdeacon Maunsell also formed the District Visiting Society, and other organizations "which have materially helped forward the work of the

Church in. this parish. Archdeacon Maunsell's name will be long held in honoured remembrance as the Maori scholar who translated the Bible into Maori. Dr. Maunsell was succeeded in 1885 by the Rev. George H. S. Walpole, M. A., who came with the highest commendation of the then Bishop of Truro, afterwards Archbishop Benson, of Canterbury. Mr. Walpole felt the necessity had arisen for a new Church more suited to the

altered circumstances of the parish, and after some time a design by the late Mr. B. W. Mountfort, of Christchurch, was adopted, and a portion of the nave, together with the choir, was built in 1888. The old church was attached to the

new building, and although ample sitting accommodation was thus provided, tho accoustic propei'ties of the edifice were nearly as bad as could be, and tho incongruous combination of new and old was very unsightly. Still, to Dr. Walpole and

the parishioners of his time are justly due the credit of beginning what is now prohably the most beautiful wooden Church in the Empire. During Mr. Walpqle's incumbency

the Bishop (Dr. Cowie) constituted St. Mary's the Cathedral of the Diocese. Dr. Walpole was succeeded by the Rev. George

Preston, M.A., who carried on the work of the parish during a period of great financial depression, in Auckland, which rendered it impossible to raise money for building purposes. In 1892 he was succeeded by the present Vicar, the Rev. George Mac Murray, M.A., who was then Canon of Christchurch Cathedral, Ballarat. Since then a new and handsome Parish Hall has been erected beside the Cathedral, and the Cathedral itself has been completed according to Mr. Mountfort's design, and was consecrated by the Most Reverend the Primate in August, 1898, the Bishop of Wellington being the preacher. One of the most important functions ever held in. St. Mary's Cathedral was the consecration by the then Acting Primate, Bishop Cowie, of Bishop Wilson, the Missionary Bishop of Melauesia, the successor of Bishops Patteson and John Selwyn. Another interesting occasion was a record offertory collection of £660 in aid of the Building Fuud.

Mr. R. Leslie Hunt is the present organist and choirmaster. The total length of St. Mary's Cathedral is 158 feet ; the nave is 32 feet broad, and the two side aisles are each 12| feet. The total height from floor to ridge is 48 feet. Advantage has been taken of the difference of level to form a basement storey for choir, vestry, etc. The timber used in the building is totara for ground plates, kauri for the frame and external sheeting, and alternate kauri and rimu for lining the interior, all heart timber and of the very best quality. The style of the building is characterised by strength of purpose, and honesty of execution. There is a complete absence of meretricious ornament, and the general effect is harmonious and satisfactory. This is especially noticeable in the interior, where the lines of construction are visible throughout, and whei'e the massive proportions of

the timber give an appearance of boldness and solidity generally - quite foreign to a wooden church. The pulpit and screen are

of handsome design, and were the gift of Mr. M. J. Gay, of Parnell. What is needed to make St. Mary's Cathedral a really beautiful temple for woi'ship is a set of good stained glass windows in the apse. It has been proposed to place one window of^three

lights to the memories of three bishops who were closely connected with St. Mary's in her earliest history — the great Bishop of New Zealand, Greorge A. Selwyn, Bishop Patteson, the martyr of Melanesia, and Bishop John Selwyn, who was hardly less a

martyr than his sainted predecessor. Another window might very fittingly be placed there in memory of laity like Martin and Swainson and Richmond and others, whoso names ought to livo as founders of both Church and State in Now Zealand.

In the baptistery, a unique pieco of ecclesiastical architecture in wood, is a stained glass window, which was erected in the original church to the memory of Archdeacon Kissling.