Blenheim

New Zealand Tablet, Volume 12, 12 November 1908, Page 24

Blenheim

s^ (From an occasional correspondent.) The contract for the Father Lewis memorial school has been signed. Mr. j|. McKinley, a local contractor, is the successful tenderer. The building which is nowbeing demolished on the Catholic property in Maxwell Road, up to the present used as a girls' school, is one of the sentimental landmarks of Marlborough (says the Marlborough Express). It is pleasing .to note that the building itself will not be relegated to the things that^have been, as it will continue a sphere of usefulness on a site further back as the practice room of the Hibernian Band, The FatherLewis memorial school will. be. built on the site vacated by the old school. Something of the history of the old building may be of interest to readers. It was originally the first Catholic church in the province. ♦ In November, 1864, the Rev. Father Sauzeau arrived in Blenheim in th« province of Marlborough for the purpose of forming a new establishment. ' With the liberal assistance of the small Catholic congregation land was procured in a healthy and beautiful situation in _ the southern part of the town, and the station was established "in the beginning of the year 1865. It included all the province of Marlborough. The number of tbe ' Catholics was small in the beginning, but it increased steadily ; they were scattered* over a very extensive country. The present St. Mary's Catholic Church in Blenheim was - opened on September 14, 1878, by the Rev. Father A. Sauzeau, • S.M. The old churcht which had been in use since 1864, became too small, and plans for a new biulding were prepared by Mr. Thomas Turnbull, architect, Wellington, whereupon the present handsome church in Maxwell's Road was erected at the cost of .£2500. It was in 1905 placed on a concrete foundation at a cost of ; the sanctuary lias been renovated ; all the ordinary windows have give^gplace to stained glass windows -at ' a cost of and a new porch with double doors facing Maxwell Road has been built at a cost of The church has accommodation for a congregation ,of 600, and the Sunday ser- ' vices are~ regularly attended by fully 400 people. There are 1800 adherents in the - district, which extends from Forsyth Island to Clarence Bridges, and from Blenheim to Tophouse. Churches have been erected at Blenheim, Picton, Tua Marina, and Havelock, and in the year 1904 a church was built -at Seddon at a cost of Church property in Blenheim -comprises six acres on the eastern-side of Maxwell Road, on which the church, presbytery, new convent, and boys' school are built, and one acre and a half on the western side, where the old convent and girls' school ar.* situated. - The , presbytery is a handsome two-storeyed residence, is * comfortably furnished, and stands in the midst of tastefully laid-out grounds. At the rear of the churcli there is a large peddock, . with stables 'for three horses used by the clergy. Mr. J. McKinley is the contractor for the new building, and has commenced his work of demolition. Many of our* old residents look upon the .old building with love and reverence, as the place whereiirthey wore united in holy matrimony. They wil! be pleased to hear that, it will still be employed for useful purposes. The Forty Hours^ Adoration commenced in St. Mary <? Church, on Sunday. Solemn^ High Mass was celebrated by •

Rev Father Finnerty, Rev. Father O 'Sullivan being deacon and ( " Rev. J'ather Holley subdeacon. The. Children of Mary and Hibernian Society took part in the precession. At VespersFather Finnerty preached an impressive sermon on the Holy Eucharist. On Monday Masses were celebrated at 6, 7, and 9 o'clock. At devotions in the .eveniing Father Finnerty again - preached to a crowded congregation. On Tuesday at nine o'clock a Solemn High Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fathsr" Fay, Rev. Father Finnerty being deacon, and Rev. Father Holley subdeacon. The Adoration concluded with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. There was a large number of communicants at all the Masses; fully 500 approachjed the Holy Table. The members of the choir sang the music throughout " very^.creditably, and attended consistently at the three principal Masses-^ . The- beautiful arrangement of the altar was verycreditable to those responsible for the work.