Dedication of a Church at Matamau.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume II, Issue 4, 1 October 1911, Page 72

Dedication of a Church at Matamau.

Sunday, August 27th, had been long 1 looked forward to by the church, people of Matamau, and m spite of bad weather conditions it proved a very happy helpful day to many. As the church is not yet hned, the Bishop did not consecrate, expressing 1 an earnest hope that he would soon be asked to come again, and do so ; but as it stood, a beautiful little building fit for Divine Service to be held m it, and, so far, perfectly, free from debt, our Bishop most solemnly dedicated it to God's Service. This was m the afternoon; m the morning, after shortened mattins with appropriate hymns and psalms and lessons, and an impressive address from the Bishop, he, assisted by Eev, C. E. Nicholas, celebrated the Holy Com-

lnunion. In the afternoon, the Vicar, the Rev. E. Robertshawe, formally, outside, asked the Bishop to come m and dedicate the church, which he, m words of solemn acquiescence, consented to do, a dignified procession then filed into the Church, the choir boys of S. John's, Dannevirke. (our mother church) leading the way with a processional cross carried before them by one of their number. They were followed by Mr E. Magnusson, the Revs. E. Robertshawe and C. E. Nicholas, and the Bishop, who, between the offering up of most beautiful dedicatory prayer, preached a sermon appropriate to the occasion on the text, "My house shall be called the house of prayer," which will never be forgotten by any who had the privilege of hearing it. The Vicar conducted evensong, when another impressive discourse was listened to with great attention by a fairly large congregation. The collections for the day amounted to over £13. Like our friends at S. Peter's, Mamaku, we can say that our church is the fruit of a good deal of "self-sacri-fice and hard work," but greatly have our efforts been cheered and encouraged during the last year by the kind generosity of friends outside the parish; towards the end gifts to our little church came pouring m. The Dannevirke branch of the C.E.M.S. gave the font, another Dannevirke resident (Mr Chris. Fiecken) made and presented the Cross on the Altar ; Miss Hamilton, of Napier, made and embroidered the chalice veil and other necessary adjuncts for the worthy celebration of the Lord's Supper, and to the generosity of our Curate, the Rev. C. E. Nicholas, we owe the fact that our church has a handsome lectern m wood and prayer desk, the candlesticks are also his gift, while friends of his at Stratford made and presented the green hangings for the chancel and frontal. A bell has been donated by Mr W. Swiggs, of Matamau, which is so much larger and heavier than was expected that it has perforce to wait until we can afford to erect a belfry or bell tower of some kind suitable to its size and weight. Very many are looking forward with the keenest

pleasure to hearing' the sound of a church bell Sunday by Sunday m this quiet little bush settlement; surely it will stir up memories of bygone days m the Home Land, m some who have grown careless, and, because there is no reminder, forget that the -assembling together for the worship of God takes place every Sunday. We still have iworif to do before oiir church can lite complete, and while some will make the lining their chief object, others are very keen to be able to purchase a small organ, the instrument at present m use not being quite m keeping with the beauty and fitness of the other accessories to the dignity of Divine worship. We have reason to believe that the Bishop when he comes again to perform the act of consecration will be very pleased to dedicate our church m the name of S. Michael and All Angels. We then hope to send a description of the Church and site, and mention should be made that Mr J. P. Leighton, of Matamau was himself the architect, giving his time and skill as a labour of love.