OPENING OF THE NEW NATIVE CHURCH AT OHAU, MANAWATU.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 22, 27 February 1891, Page 15

OPENING OF THE NEW NATIVE CHURCH AT OHAU, MANAWATU.

Tmis pretty little church, of which I sent you a description some time ago, was opened for worship on Sunday last by Archbishop Redwood, who was assisted by Fathers Melu, Broussard, and Le Pretre, native missionaries. The blessing of the church took place before first Mass, in the presence of a vast concourse or. Natives and Europeans, and at Btcond Mass his Grace preached to an overflowing congregation. One side of the Church was set apart for the Natives, and the other side for the Europeans. Father Melu has every reason to be proud of the offertory as the sum of £57 was collected, besides promises of a few more pounds. This will reduce the debt on the building to just about £100. The Natives treated his Grace, the clergy, and the visitors to a grand luncheon in a large marquee, and they are exceedingly proud of their new church, as the Archbishop told them it was the nicest Native church he had seen. When the surrounding bush is all down it will command a magnificent view with "its slender spire pointing Bilently to heaven." Being dedicated to St. (Stephen the first martyr, Father Melu placed a large picture of Father Chanel, the martyr of the Pacific, over the altar, and beside it another picture representing the implements of his martyrdom. During the afternoon the old chief of the tribe made a great speech of welcome to his Grace, who thanked them for their felicitations, and expressed a hope that Gcd would bless them and keep them in the faith. At Vespers the sacrament of Confirmation was administered to two Europeans and three Natives, among the latter being an old lady, who, judging by appearances, must be over 80 years of age. The tribe belong to the Ngatirakawas, better known as Te Bauparaha's people. Next day the Archbishop went on to Palmcrston North to assist at the forty hours ndoration there, and returned to Wellington on Tuesday. The European congregation of this part of the Palmerston parish will now be administered to by Father Melu, who will act as curate for Father Patterson.