ST. ANDREWS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 17, 23 April 1903, Page 5

ST. ANDREWS.

(From an. occasional correspondent.)

~ April 19.

In tho quiet little township of St. Andrews, situated 12 miles south of Timaru. the public at large and travel! era by train for some time back have noticed the erection of a church not more than a hundred yards from the railway station. The foundation stone was laid by his Lordship Bishop Grimes six months ago. It is now complete, and certainly ' a thing of beauty.' The style is purely Gothic, with- its pointed arches. The walls are of brick, cemented, which gives it the appearance of stone. Considering the locality, its dimensions and seating capacity are everything to be desired. It is capable of accommodating twice the number of the present congregation. Three hundred, at least, could find seating room within it. It contains a porch, beltry, and sacristy. The walls being 18ft. high give it a commanding appearance from a distance, beyond that of its compeers. It is very handsomely finished, and reflects the greatest credit on all who had a share in its erection, especially the architect and builders. The congregation have been hearing Mass for the past 10 years in the public schoolroom, waiting patiently, contributing generously, and looking forward anxiously to the day when they could offer better accommodation to ' The Master * At first a mero handful, they are now a fair-sized congregation, owing to the local operation of the Land Settlement Act. And they are justly proud of their united efforts in raising to God a monument which, if not the best of its kind, is, to say the least, very creditable. His Lordship Bishop Grimes has kindly consented bless and solemnly open tho sacred edifice on the first Sunday of May (the 3rd prox.). This happy event has been long and lovingly looked forward to by the little congregation — pinched and crushed in a smali schoolroom surrounded by wall-pictures of all the animal life that flourished at the time of the flood, and of many creatures of the present day. which may be helpful to learning, but certainly not to devotion and contemplation. I need not add then that tho 3rd of May is going to be a red-letter day for the Catholic^ of St. Andrews, and their feelings are growing stronger as the noise and bustle of the workmen grows weaker.