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ST. FAITH'S HOUSE OF SACRED LEARNING.

That is the high-sounding name of a theological college for women which was set up m Christchurch, m defiance of the depression, on May 6th, 1931.

At first it had no name and no home,, but the pioneers ( a principal from England and five students; both principal and students rather wondering what they had let themselves m for) had the loan of the deanery until the end of the year. The next year the

deanery was needed by its proper occupants, but the principal stayed on there as the guest of the dean and his wife, while accommodation for students and lectures was found close by at Bishop Julius Hostel. It was during- the year at the hostel that St. Faith's was given its name, and forever delievered from the limitations suggested by such names as "Diocesan Women's Training Institution" or "Deaconess House." "House of Sacred Learning" gives scope to the imagination and combines elasticity and a permanent ideal. With the .closing of the Dunedin and Wellington Training Colleges the hostel filled to overflowing with training college students, but once more St. Faith's found a home (is it born to be hanged?), this time m a twostorey cottage which was so small that it was necessary to put up two huts m the garden, one for a chapel and one ior a bedroom. Even so, only four s':udents could be accommodated. Two more years passed quickly and happily. Then, just when it might have been a hindrance to efficiency and development to have stayed much longer m such cramped quarters St. Faith's was given its present house (subject to a charge m the donor's lifetime) for a permanent home. The move was made m February this year, and, after various alterations and additions had been made, the house was dedicated to its new work on May 6th, the anniversary of its first adventuring. St. Faith's is not very big even now, but it has a chapel m the house and a large study-lecture-room where the really good library, theological, educational and missionary, is house, and seven bedrooms, not counting the principal's quarters and two rooms that are let at present. The chapel is largely furnished with beautiful things given by Bishop Richards from his private chapel at Les Escop. The daily life of the house is as follows: — Students begin their quiet time at 7 a.m. m their own rooms or m chaprel or by going out to Holy Communion. At 7.45 they assemble m chapel for prime, as set out m the Prayer Book of 1928, except that the morning's psalms are said instead of the set psalms. Breakfast follows at eight o'clock, and then everyone is

busy with, household jobs until 10, ■when there is a short break far morning tea. From 10.15 to 12.15 is kept for study, and there are intercessions m chapel before 12.30 lunch. All students have to take a turn m preparing and leading the intercessions. The afternoon is free unless there is some practical work to be done- At four study is resumed for an hour. On Monday and Tuesday evensong is said m chapel, and on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday all adjourn to the parish church for evensong at 5.30. On Tuesday there is a hymn practice before evensong, and there is also an address. Dinner is at six, and everyone is free until 7.30. After that study begins, again, either a lecture or else private study. During the

Winter the evening classes are thrown open to non-residents- This winter the open lectures have been on the Epistle to the Colossians for those who know some Greek, and on the English text the closing chapters of St Mark (continued from last year), followed by I. Corinthians. Supper is at nine, and a shortened form of compline (again from the 1928 Prayer Book) is said at 9.15. After compline the house is kept quiet, through lights need not be put out until 11. On Wednesdays the principal and students go to the Cothedral for Holy Communion; otherwise the students are free to attend whatever church they choose. This, of course, is sometimes determined by their practical work; for instance, if they are taking a Bible

Class they will wish to go to church with their girls. The courses of work vary according to the students m residence. At. present, Grade 11. work is m hand r but at other times there have been, students who needed something quite different. Two nurses have been m for three months on their way to Melanesia, and Miss Sowry came m for a three-months' refresher before she returned to the Dornakal diocese.. One of the pioneer students was an experienced parish worker who came m for further preparation before being ordained deaconess; another is. youth worker m a Christchurch. parish; a third former student isassistant to the Diocesan Sunday-

School Adviser ; and recently Miss Beattie was sent for some preliminary work before going to England for further training for the post of Sunday School Adviser m the Waiapu Diocese. Two of the present residents are teachers by profession, who are doing advanced theology m their spare time. In these days, paid posts are so few as to be almost non-existent, but there is need for any amount of good, capable work, both m town and country, especially, perhaps, for religious teaching. S. Faith's is fortunate here m having Deaconess Heni Park to give a full course of training m religious education, and m having access to Sunday Schools and clay schools m Christchurch. There may be some who are already giving voluntary service, who could not afford the time or the money for a full course of training, but who could come for three months' special work oil this kind, plus some theological and devotional training m the HouseThere are other women who have carried on wox'k m their own districts, and who feel the need of refreshment of. mind and spirit— to be able to use the Chapel and the library, and to possess their own souls, if only for a week or a fortnight"! For such, there is the little wayfarer's room, specially furnished by the donor of the house. This room has scarcely been empty for a night since it was ready, at Easter. One of its most recent occupants was Dr. Phyllis Haddow of Hangchow. This account of St. Faith's has been written because indirect inquiries sometimes reach us, and, especially now that we are Til better quarters, it seems that the time has come to make ourselves introduce the House, and to offer its services, to women throughout the Dominion. The prospectus may be had on application, and the principal will gladly supply any further information that may Be desired. Apply to the head deaconess, St. Faith's House, 47 Webb Street, Christchurch, Nl.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/WCHG19350901.2.4.9

Bibliographic details

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 25, Issue 9, 1 September 1935, Page 7

Word Count
1,148

ST. FAITH'S HOUSE OF SACRED LEARNING. Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 25, Issue 9, 1 September 1935, Page 7

ST. FAITH'S HOUSE OF SACRED LEARNING. Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 25, Issue 9, 1 September 1935, Page 7