CHURCH OF THE IRISH MARTYRS CROMWELL

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 16, 22 April 1909, Page 623

CHURCH OF THE IRISH MARTYRS CROMWELL

THE OPENING CEREMONIES

(From oiir Special Reporter.)

Ideal "weather conditions favored the op-eniug of the new Church of the Irish Martyrs at Cromwell on last Sunday. Rain is all too rare in this part of Central Otago, and tlie brown of the plains and tlie narrow valleys and the piled-up Lills *and mountains is broken at this season only l>y the picturesque effects of the rows or clumps of tall poplars and other European trees, now touched with the rich gold of autumn, and by the patches of rich and juicy green vegetation where irrigation makes the rich soil of the seeming desert blossom like the rose. The new Church of the Irish Martyrs stands beside the convent* on a commanding site near the centre cf the town, its redtiled roof and tower rising picturesquely above the green

foliage, with a decided suggestion of the quaint villages that one'sees embowered in trees in the European Pyrenees. Our engraving and description of the new edifice, given hereunder, will convey some idea of its appearance ; but one needs to see it inside and out and round about, and in its full setting, to realise what a gem it is, how ' solid, how well-proportioned, how finished in every respect, and the excellent' taste shown in every detail, down to the arrangement and harmonising of the various tints of cathedral glass in the windows. It is far and away tie handsomest; building in Cromwell, and the many Catholics' throughout New Zealand "who contributed towards its erection will le' pleased to know that their subscriptions have fceen expended upon a monument of religion that is worthy of its object and creditable in every way to its promoters. The interest in the new church was manifested by the number of people, from every part of the Cromwell parish— from Hawea to Bald Hill Flat— and from farther afield, who journeyed -thither to take part in the opening ceremonies. Two sturdy boys travelled on foot twenty miles over the rugged hills to serve at the Mass of dedication, and formed part of a number of well-trained lads who

added much to the interest of the ceremonies. The ceremony of blessing and dedicating the new church took place at 11 o'clock on Sunday morning, and was performed by his Lordship Bishop Verdon, assisted by the Very Itov. Monsignor O'Leary (Lawrence), Rev. P. Murphy (Riverton), Rev. ' G. Hunt (the local pastor), Rev. J. "Coffey, Adm. (Dunedin), and Rev. H. W. ClearyT The church was filled in every part. A feature of the ceremony wasthe large number of the Children of Mary- and of the school children who took part in the procession around the church, bearing beautiful religious banners that added greatly to the picturesque' impressiveness of the scene. At the closo of the rite of dedication, solemn High Mass ,was celebrated. His Lordsfiip the Bishop presided; the Very Rev. Monsignor O'Leary was celebrant, Rev. P. Murphy^ deacon, Rev. H. W. Cleary subdeacon, and Rev. J. Coffey master of ceremonies. The sermon was preached by tbe Right Rev. Dr. Verdon from the Gospel of the day. His Lordship dwelt upon the significance of the ceremonies in which they were engaged, the care of the Catholic Church for her children at every stage of their earthly life, and the manner in which the material edifice of our churches is

made to subserve their spiritual interests and be a focus of celestial blessings. He then, dealt in detail with the various sacred rites that would be administered within those Avails, and concluded a fine discourse -by exhorting his hearers to remember and imitate the fidelity to their holy religion that was shown during long ages of bitter trial by their forefathers in the faith in Ireland. "In making" an. appeal to the generosity of his hearers, his Lordship spoke in terms of high appreciation of the beauty and solidity of the new church, said that it would be an adornment to any part of the diocese or to any city in New Zealand, and paid a high tribute to the pastor and people of Cromwell. Father Hunt also thanked his "Lordship and the visiting clergy, the choir, his people, all • who had aided in the building of the new church, and concluded with a warm, appreciation of services locally rendered Tjyhis flock, "especially by Mr. Kerin. At the evening devotions the preacher was the Rev. P. Murphy (Riverton). Preaching from the Gospel cf the day,, he dealt with the high, holy mission committed by the Saviour to the Apostles, the conversion of all nations; He described their* labors -in various lands

especially in pagan Rome with its vast population, the focus of. all the idolatry of the vast dominions of that great empire — the marvellous change effected mr human society by the preaching of the Gospel and the turning of the pagan capital into the centre of Christianity, and how all this great transformation had- been effected by the labors of twelve poor men, without learning; social influence, wealth, , or prestige. The supernatural character of all tliis work of conversion was also demonstrated in detail, and the preacher concluded by an appeal to those present io remember the sufferings and the faith of- their fathers that were gone before. The evening devotions concluded withBenediction of the Blessed Sacrament, which was given by his Lordship the Bishop, assisted by Fathers Murphy and Cleary, Rev. Father Coffey being again master of ceremonies. The sacred music incidental to the day's ceremonies was well rendered throughout by an efficient choir of fifteen voices, under the conductorship of Mr. G. Neill. The Mass was "Winter's in C, with Weiss' s ' O Salutaris ' as an offertory piece. The organist was Mrs. G. Neill. The contributions leceived in connection with, the opening ceremony reached the munificent sum .of £480 ss.

Style and Dimensions.

The church itself in both size and construction differs from what is generally to be found in. the small townships of Central Otago. The materials and workmanship of its construction are of the most substantial arid lasting description, the foundations being of good cement concrete, the walls and gables of solid masonry, set in hydraulic lime mortar, the_ roofs of stout timber"framing with French tiles for covering, and it is safe to say that even when the youngest of the congregation of the present day will have parsed away this Church of the Irish Martyrs will shoAv very little of the effects of tlie passage of -time. The style chosen is that of the Gothic period, known as Early English — a style very suitable for this size of church, as the simplicity of its detail has a quiet dignity which renders it very suitable for its sacred purposes, and at the same time the heavy expenses entailed in the true rendering of some of the later periods of Gothic are avoided. On the front of the buildings are the tower, and spire rising to a height of nearly 80 feet; the lower stage of the tower, 10ft x 10ft, forming the main entrance porch and also containing the stairway to the choir gallery and organ loft, which occupy the second stage of the tower. The gallery projects from it well into the body of the church, so that if it is found necessary accommodation for quite thirty persons coujd be found besides an organ of' sufficient size for the church. Above, the organ loft the tower contains the ringers' floor and belfry of sufficient size to contain fotir good-sized bells. Above this stage rises the spire, heavily framed in timber and covered with tiles arranged with fish-tail bands, and surmounted with an iron cross gilded. This tower is well buttressed with triple-ramped buttresses, and has its belfry pierced with twelve louvre lancets. The nave of the church, which, is 40ft x 20ft and has a total height of 20ft, is lighted by eight lancet windows filled in with ornamental lead lights. The ceiling is stibdivided into four bays of moulded ribs and trusses filled in with Gothic tracery, the four bays of the waggon roof being lined up with herring-bone planking divided into panels. The Stations of the Cross are fixed to the walls in Gothic tracery panels of fibrous plaster. The sanctuary, which is 18ft x 20ft,- is separated from the nave by a Gothic arch, 15ft wide, with altar rail and steps, and it is lighted by_ a triple lancet window at present filled in with 'ornamental lead light work, but the near • future, it is hoped, will see stained glass in these windows. The ceiling of the sanctuary is finished in a manner similar to that of the nave. On entering the sanctuary the sacristy door is on the loft communiqating with a room 20ft x 10ft well lighted by- two lead light windows, and having an outer door looking towards the. front of the church. Immediately opposite the sacristy, on the other side of the sanctuary, is tho nuns' chapel, 20ft x 10ft, having a view into ' the sanctuary through an Bft arch. This portion of the church has also its door to the outside, but opening to the back on to the convent grounds. The work has been carried out in a substantial manner, and those engaged in ? t will have the satisfaction of knowing that they have left their mark on Cromwell to last many long years to come. The building was designed by Mr. Frank Petre, architect, of Dunedin, the masonry is the work of Mr. Gair, of Cromwell, and Mr. Patrick Thomas, of Cromwell, carried out the contract for tlie rest of the building.