THE NEW CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART, TIMARU

New Zealand Tablet, 3 February 1910, Page 175

THE NEW CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART, TIMARU

(From an occasional correspondent.) wiM a^ne^iPi ;9 mi X es to be a red-letter day . in the history of the Catholic Church in Timaru. The foundation stone of the new church of the Sacred Heart is to be SSS a! P lf Ce A n position by bis Lordship Bishop Crimes. Already Catholic interests are deeply stirred, and Catholics are eagerly looking forward to an event which is at once a striking testimony of the growth of the Church dlstri + ct > and an expression of the great hopes for Tifo f i<? 6 en l ertaned by the clergy in charge of the parish, the old wooden church, built by Rev. Father Chataigner nearly 40 years ago, has served its purpose well, and doubtless it will be with feelings of grief and regret that many will witness the dismantling of the old edifice, with its “ e n 3 l6 f ° f the Past. But its accommodation has already npnli d to ° sm j 1 and the strong practical faith of the peopie has urged the Rev. Father Tubman, S.M., to undertake the erection of a church that will serve not only the pi esent generation, but will be a monument to its devotion and self-sacrifice for centuries to come. To launch out on such an enterprise needed no small share of courage, ftthe Faith that long ago built the century-aged churches or the old lands is strong in this young country, and that f ? h will again prove, and is proving, itself in the undertakmg of such a magnificent work. The walls are already well advanced above ground level, and give a good idea of what a noble edifice the church will be. When completed the building will cost close on £20,000. Part of this sum is already in hand, and the Rev. Father Tubman hopes that before long the practical faith and self-sacrifice of. his people and friends will allow him not only to use the edifice for sacred worship) but also to free it from debt and have it consecrated for ever to the Most High, The church will have a commanding position, facing Lraigie avenue, with a view of the sea in the distance. style of architectureltalian Renaissance—is one that satisfies the aesthetic , sense, and at the same time the building, without any sacrifice of its proportions, provides ample accommodation. The front view of the new building, with its dome-crowned flanking towers, and its heavy portico, supported by four lonic columns, will be particularly imposing. Another striking feature of the building will be the magnificent cupola, supported by sixteen lonic columns in Oamaru stone. The whole length of the building will be 160 ft; of this 104 ft are taken up by the nave. The ™ ldt h of the building in front is 83ft, and of the nave S' The towers and cupola are 100 ft high, and the portico t si 7nu. lhe sanctuary will be large, having a width of 38ft by 41ft, and will be girt by nine lonic columns in Oamaru stone. Besides the high . altar— Altar of the Sacred —there are to be two side altars. There are to be two capacious sacristies, 16ft by 24ft, fitted up with strong rooms a large baptistery under one of the towers, and a choir gallery measuring 46ft by 16ft. The materials for the building have been carefully selected. The facings and piers are to be of Oamaru stone, with filling in of brick work, while the walls are hearted with concrete. The outer covering of the domes and cupola is to be copper, while the main roofing is to be of Marseilles tiles. The flooring of the main building is of kauri, and that of the sanctuary of white marble tiles. The plans for the building are the work of Mr, Petre of Dunedin, Mr. B. Moriarty being overseer of works. The seating accommodation of the building is estimated at 1200. A unique method has been adopted in the building of this church. It is not being done by contract, but by day labor. It is an experiment, it is true, but an experiment that has been amply justified by the success of that part of the work already done. Already preparations are being made to celebrate in a fitting manner the laying of the foundation stone.' Besides his Lordship Bishop Grimes, many other distinguished visitors have signified their intention of being present. Among others are his Lordship Bishop Verdon, the Ven. Archdeacon Devoy, S.M., Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M. (Provincial), Very Rev. Dean McKenna, and many of the clergy and laity from other parts of the Dominion. The Rev. Father Tubman has already received many letters of encouragement and congratulation from priests and laymen throughout New Zealand. While congratulating the Rev. Father on such a good beginning, his friends hope that, as the sacred edifice rears its walls on high, the worry necessarily consequent on such a great undertaking will proportionately decrease, and they sincerely wish that he may live to see the end of the great work he has so courageously taken in hand. ■ \