NEW CATHOLIC CHURCH, TEMUKA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VII, Issue 340, 24 October 1879, Page 15

NEW CATHOLIC CHURCH, TEMUKA.

We take the following particulars of the new Catholic Church at Temuka, from the Thmani Herald, which says, in addition to what has already been published by it : —

The building when completed will cover an area of 5000 superficial feet, and seat 730 people comfoitably, the style of architecture being what is known as the early English style. The superstructure is to be built of white stone, from a local quarry, on massive concrete foundations, in foot course with rock-faced work to piers, and dressed ashlar to window jams, doors, weatherings, spire, pinnacles, &c. The lateral windows are H in number, seven on either side, with doublesplayed, reveals, and sills and wiought mullions dividing each window into two lights. The east window is in triplet form, with pointed lancet heads to each opening, the centre light being carried somewhat higher than the flank ones. The two wesc windows in the gable on either side of the tower, are in two lights, each with a quartrcfoil let in above tbe heads, and pointed label moulding springing from a handsomely carved boss which encloses the whole. The ones in the tower on the first and second flats are in single and triplet openings respectively, whilst the belfry is lighted by an elaborate trefoil rose window six feet in diameter, with cups, label, &c, complete. This window gives a very pleasing effect to tbe tower. The tower, 12ft. x 12ft. in the clear, terminates with an embattled parapet, each of the four angles being finished with wrought pinnacles and carved finials, carried on weathered buttresses from the ground, the height to the top of these finials being 78ft. From the tower spiings the octagonal tapering needle spire, finished with a handsome cross, the whole height fiom tbe ground to the top of the cross being exactly 120 ft. To give an idea of the relative height of this steeple would be to compare it with the chimney at Mr. Brace's mill. The side walls are flanked with 1G weathered buttresses, terminating under the eaves, the angle ones finishing in a gablet pinnacle and carved cross, and the apex of the east gable and cross being 50ft. from the ground.

The principal entrance is at the west, under the tower, besides which there are two entrances ou each side under porches with gables, &c. The two east doors communicate with the sacristy and library, and from thence to the chancel. The roof is covered with galvanised corrugated iron, and painted in two coats with red hematite. The interior \s plastered throughout with a cornice at the springing of the coves. Along the centre of the ceiling are rive handsome centre pieces in ornamental woods, and from the iioor to ceiling the height is 2."jft. Gin.

The library is 18ft. x lift. 6 in., the chancel ISft.x lGft., sacristy 18ft. x lift. Gin. The belfry is reached by two nights of stairs, which will also connect with the gallery to be erected at some future time. It is the intention to have all the windows filled in with stained glass of dilt'crcut designs, tracings on a laipe scale having been sent to Fiance as a guide for the manufacture! s. In each of the windows theie will be full-sized pictures of saints. The windows on the right side will be — 1, St. Michael defeating Lucifer ; 2. St. Joseph and St. John the Baptist; 3, St. Petei and St. Paul ; 4. St. Patrick and St. Francis, of AssiMiiin : 7> t St. Thomas of Aquinas and St. Francis of Sales ; G, St. Alphonso of 1 lpuoii and Kt. Isidore ; 7. St. Raphael and young Tobias. On the* lei t side will be — 1. the Aichangcl Gabriel announcing to the Mo-sod \ irgin Mary the myst. ry of the incarnation of our Loid ; 2, ht An c and St. Elizabeth ; 3, St. Maiy Magdalen and K. Auu s : I. M. Hiidp'l ; md St. Calhciine ; .">, St. Maigaret and St. liov> il I. urn ; (!, Sts. Teiesa and (ieiniana ; 7, the Angel tuiaidian nd St. Fiances. The window in the sanctuary will be a lepre^entalon oi tbe Holy Family— Jesus. Maiy, and Joseph. The Church will be dcdiontfd to St. Joseph, and will be called St. Joseph's of Temnka. It is intended to place thiee bells in the belfiy of the tower, and also a laige (.lock, which will be hrard for several miles around, striking the huui-i day and ni<jl t. This will be useful as well as ornamental to tl c whole town, and when Father Fauvel appeals for assistance to the people of Temuka. as we believe he will do, we hope that, irrespective of cieed or country, and with that spirit of liberality which generally characterises colonist, all will be found giving then mite towarls this laudable object. 'Jbeie is no doubt that the edifice will be a credit and uu oinam<.nt to the town, and the Catholics of this dibtiiet deserve praise lor the sacnliccs they are making in erecting such a ttHK-ture. Father Fauvel himself has headed the list with £100, ami the bums given by the laimcib vary from £20 to £G0

while lahouring men give £5 and £6, and servant girls £4 and £6 I each. Besides this, the farmers have promised to cart the stones which will be used in the building, free of cost, from the properties of tne^Won. Mr. Wigley and Mr. Collett, on the Waitohi Flat. The Key I ather Fauvel requests us particularly to express his gratitude to the latter-named two gentlemen, who are giving him the stones gratis, and also to Mr. James Sullivan, of Timaru, who has spared no pains m assisting the church. The erection of the church is certainly a, heavy undertaking for the people of the district, and we trust that they will soon see it completed. No doubt, when the work is done, the Temuka folks will have cause to be proud of their church, as it will be one of the most imposing structures in the colony.