CHURCH OF BLESSED PETER CHANEL, MOTUEKA

New Zealand Tablet, 15 November 1917, Page 37

CHURCH OF BLESSED PETER CHANEL, MOTUEKA

OPENING CEREMONIES.

Very fittingly the first building to be erected in New Zealand marble has been a Catholic church, the marble for which was quarried on the Motueka side of the Takaka Hills. To the Catholics of Motueka has fallen the distinction of consecrating the first fruits of a new and valuable industry to the Most High. Theirs is also the privilege of erecting the first marble church in Australasia.

The opening ceremonies were conducted by his Grace Archbishop Redwood, S.M., assisted by the Very Rev. Dean Holley, S.M. (Provincial), and Rev. Fathers Tymons, S.M., and McGrath, S.M. Very heavy rain threatened the postponement of the proceedings, there being five feet of water on the road at Appleby on the evening preceding the opening. To ensure the presence of the local clergy the Very Rev. Father O’Connell, S.M., who had journeyed from Wanganui to be present, remained in Nelson for the Sunday. The day broke beautifully fine and the flood waters had considerably receded. The ceremony was witnessed by the largest gathering of its kind (says the Motueka Star) ever assembled in the district, large numbers of visitors being present from Nelson, the Waimeas, Takaka, and other localities adjacent to Motueka. After the blessing of the building by his Grace, High Mass was sung by the .Very Rev. Dean Holley, S.M., the music of Gounod’s “Messe Solennelle” being rendered by the Nelson Choir, under the baton of Signor J. Vitetta. Miss Edith Frank, A.T.C.L., was organist, and extra accompaniments were played by the Vitetta Brothers on violin and flute.

The occasional sermon was preached by his Grace the Archbishop, who said that there was one solemn and striking truth commanding the attention of all men, one that stood out above all others, and that truth was that God had made us and we were His creatures. It was a fundamental truth, and without it, it was of no avail to discuss religion. Man was made to serve God He had the right to command, and it was the creature’s duty to obey. In justice and gratitude the creature was bound to serve his Creator. God’s right was absolute, beyond question ; it was something quite unlike the rights given of men which were fettered by a hundred and one conditions. •He was governed by no circumstance. The power of Governments might crumble, as the power of Russia had done, but God’s power was an absolute power, and man was bound to serve Him, and to hearken to His laws. The Church, which was the successor of the Synagoguefor the Jewish religion was once the true religion, more than any other had the means by which the Christian could render to his Maker the service which He required. Of old it was written, “Fear God and keep His commandments.” God’s commandments were to be faithfully observed, or man failed in his duty to God. They were not alone to know the commandments, they must learn to keep them, and this through the proper means established for obtaining grace. It was for this reason that the Catholic Church made such a great point of instructing the young. The Catholic school was a necessary factor in the Catholic scheme of giving to God the service which His sovereignty exacted. In conclusion, his Grace congratulated Motueka and district on the erection of such a splendid church. It was a great distinction to have completed the first marble church in Australasia. It was gratifying to , learn that the Nelson district was to have yet another marble church—at Takaka, where the foundation stone had already been laid. He congratulated the builders on their faithful workmanship, and all others who had helped the project forward, and especially the parish priest,. who had worked so hard in connection with the matter. He felt sure the church • would be, a power

for good in the community, as the influence of prayer" was very far-reaching. After the ceremony, the Archbishop and clergy and a number of invited guests repaired to the Motueka Hotel, where they were entertained by Mr. and Mrs. F. 11. Durbridge; The Kev. Father Tymons took the opportunity of thanking his Grace for coming across to open the church, and the Very Rev. Dean. Holley for making the trip at great personal inconvenience to sing the Mass. He desired also publicly to acknowledge the generosity of the Nelson Marble Company (Messrs. Arthur McKee and A. I. Manoy) in making a free gift of the marble for the church. This was a magnificent gift, as it included quarrying, cartage, and heavy royalty charges. He also wished to thank Mr. and Mrs. Durbridge for the great hospitality extended to the Nelson priests on their visits to Motueka. On the departure of Mrs. Allington, who was a member of the congregation, Mr. Durbridge had insisted that the privilege of entertaining the priests should remain with the Motueka Hotel, and the sample room continue at their disposal. The Mayor of Motueka (Mr. J. A. Wallace) extended a cordial welcome to his Grace. He also offered his congratulations to the Catholic community on the completion of their beautiful church. The Archbishop, in reply, stated that the opening of churches was a labor of love. He it a special privilege to open such a church". Mr. A. McKee said that the one man deserving of thanks in connection with the church was Father Tymons. When all or most of the present .buildings had crumbled and passed away, and they themselves had been gathered to their fathers, the marble church at Motueka would stand as a lasting memorial to the priest who had charge of the parish in 1917. Mr. Durbridge said that any kindness he had been able to show the representatives of the Catholic Church had been always a pleasure. He was not a Catholic, but he had a great admiration for, and appreciation of, tho priests. Very Rev. Dean Holley briefly returned thanks, and Father McGrath supplemented Father Tymons' remarks, adding that Messrs. 11. Miller and J. McNabb had also rendered yeoman service. The clergy had had .most cordial support in Motueka from people of all denominations, and their manifest broadmindedness was a matter for congratulation. ■ '■ The church was taxed to overflowing again in the afternoon, when the ceremonies opened with the singing of the "Sanctus" by the Nelson Choir. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Father McGrath, S.M., from the text, "We have seen His star in the East and are come to adore Him." What the star was to the wise men the Church was to the Catholic—the sure guide to his God. To the magi's profession of faith the Catholic added this other article, "I believe in the Catholic Church.'.' This was the summary of his position. The church which had that day been solemnly blessed they regarded as an expression, an embodiment, of the Church of the living God, which had no roof but the firmament. The Catholic Church in New Zealand was showing itself conscious of its obligation to preach the Gospel to every creature. It had added one more to the rising order of its churches, repairing the ancient and modern losses in the older countries as nature with its ever fresh and reproductive life healed its wounds and reclothed its wastes. By their fruits the sincerity of institutions and men was recognised. This was the acid test, and the Catholics of Motueka had by that day's offering to God, proved their practical faith. The speaker then explained the four marks by which the Church of God was to be recognised. Those marks were to be found only in the Catholic Church, and to such a Church all should adhere. It was her duty to teach to all Christ's Christianity, of which the world was so much in need to-day. They were living lin an age of 'overthrow, and uprooting, of griefs and

of wrongs. Man’s inhumanity to man was makingcountless thousands mourn. These conditions were primarily due to the waning faith in Jesus Christ, and a heedlessness to the calls of His Church. This age was leading to the goal of doubt, and the world’s sins against faith had sadly marred Christ’s great peaceful plan. Tor 1900 years the visible Church had witnessed to the invisible Kingdom of God, had represented the Prince of Peace upon earth. Notwithstanding persecution and privation she was still fulfilling her mission. In pursuance of that mission they had erected their new church. Another roof was raised where man might gather to pray, another altar for the God of the Eucharist, another house where the Christian heart would find a home and a shelter and the love of a father. In conclusion, the preacher urged all who met there to listen to the words of their glorious mother Church, and thus know Jesus Christ better — the knowledge of Him was eternal life, to serve Him more faithfully and to give to Him the very best of their being. In the evening the visitors were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. J. McCarthy, who have always shown great hospitality to the visiting priests. The church was very much admired by all present. A striking feature of the interior is the triple arch dividing the sanctuary from the nave. This is supported by four polished pillars of picked marble. The altar is another‘object of great beauty." It is of solid polished marble blocks, three colors being included—white, black and white, and grey. Behind the altar is a handsome stained glass window of the Good Shepherd. The bell, which weighs nearly half a ton, was the subject of

much favorable comment, the tone being very pleasing. In front of the church is a marble fence with marble pillars at the ends, as also in the middle for the support of the gates. The architect was Mr. A. R. Griffin, and the contractors Messrs. Manoy and McKee. The collection amounted to £362 Is.