AN INTERESTING NEW CHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 12, 19 December 1890, Page 31

AN INTERESTING NEW CHURCH.

(From an old Correspondent.) Onward is the motto of the Catholic Churct, truly, a 9 can be testined wherever or however we look at it.

About feve yea-s ago the only means of gating along the West Coast of New Zealand from Paikakauki to Foxton was to keep on the beach. Now there is a splendid railway constructed by private enterprise, and a county road is being formed from Paikasauki to Palmerston close to the line to connect the several townships laid out by tht Railway Company. The townships are yet in their infancy, and between two of them, Ohau and Manukau, the Rev ■^J^ 10 ,' S ' M " and his worthy curate Fatfa er Bruussard have' just had built one of tbe nicest country churches in the island. The following is a short description . The building is of the Gothic style of architecture, and is 36 feet long by a width of 18 feet, the sanctuary being, as usual in country Churches, tbe whole width of the building. The sacrißty. at the back of the sanctuary, is 14 feet by 10 feet. Tbe walls are 13 feet high and the roof is open Gottiic, with dressed principals, purlines, diagonal sacking and laminated beams. There are three Gothic pointed windows on each aide, wnile the window over tbe iruin entrance is triple Fothic, which will afford plenty of light for the future cho-r gallery. On the roof close to the front gable is erected a small tower with Bpire 20 feet from tbe ridge of roof and finishes with a cross. The church is tasttfully painted throughout. The outside is painted a warm stone co our picked out in whit . The iuside is painted terra cotta four feet high from tbe floor, and a salmon vink the remainder of tbe wal)s>, except a cornice at the intersection of wall and roof height which is varnished. Tbe roof is painted a pale blue the principals being painted a dead white, and the chamfering picked out a turquoise (green pink). The church is complete with everything required, such as the altar, sittings, confessional, etc.. and reflects the greatest credit on the native missioner, the ttev. Father Melu, S.M. This is the third or fourth church he has got built since he came to New Zealand, which is about rive years ago. I must say the building reflects tbe greatest credit on aur coreligionist, Mr. J.O'Dea, architect, of Wellington, who designed it and super-vked it from start to finish. In this churco he was very fortunate lv Becurin^ Messrs. Sims and O'Brien as contractors. Their work is done faithfully and well. The finish of tbe sacred structure is universally admired, and it is, I must not forget to mention, tbe first church erected ia tbe Manawatu Railway Company's toweship. The Key. Father's first intention was to build a small, unpretending edifice for the Native population, but he altered Lis mind, and though still having the Natives fiistm his mind, he has, as you can see, erected a building fit for the most aristocratic Pakeha. It is to be dedicated to St° Stephen, and the original intention was to open it on his feast but his Grace Archbishop Redwood would be unable to come that'day and the 16th of February is now fixed on instead. ' Almost all the Natives here, and there are a good many, are Catholics, and they are already making preparations for tbe opening The time will be very appropriate for them, as then they will have plenty " taiawas. ' It is moat likely that a special train will run from Wellington on that day, as a great many are expected from the city. The cost is being detrayed by the Natives and Europeans alike— the latest subscription being a handsome donation of £5 by our worthy VicarGeneral, Father McNamara. I hope to be able to send your readers an account of the opening bj-and-bye, I