Trentham Camp

Camp News, Volume 1, Issue 18, 12 April 1940, Page 6

Trentham Camp

Church of England Hut OPENING CEREMONY The new Church of England hut in the Central District Mobilisation Camp, Trentham, was officially opened on the 29th March. The social ceremony was preceded by the dedication by the Bishop of Wellington (the Rt. Rev. H. St. Barbe Holland) of the altar and furnishings of a small chapel at the southern end of the building. Later the hut was declared open by Major-General J. E. Duigan, C. 8., D. 5.0., Chief of the General Staff. Those present included Colonel W. H. Cunningham, C.8.E., D. 5.0., representing the Military Affairs Committee of the Church of England; Colonel R. A. Row, D. 5.0., Officer Commanding the Central Military District; Colonel L. G. Goss, N.Z.S.C., of Army Headquarters, Wellington; Lieutenant-Colonel H. D. McHugh, M.C., N.Z.S.C., Camp Commandant; and various unit commanders and officers and other ranks from the camp. The short but impressive dedication ceremony began with the entry of the Bishop and clergy into the sanctuary, whereupon the Camp Commandant made the following request to the

Bishop: “Reverend Father in God, on behalf of the authorities of this camp, we request you to dedicate the altar and furnishings of this chapel to the honour and glory of God.” The dedication then proceeded. The only ’reference in the service to the military nature of the occasion was in the concluding prayer which commenced as follows: “Almighty God, Who knowest and rulest the hearts of men, look mercifully upon those who are now being trained for war. Give them the spirit of discipline and loyalty, and strengthen them with Thy grace that, withstanding the temptations that beset them, they may show themselves worthy defenders of their country and true followers of Jesus Christ.” After, the conclusion of the dedication ceremony the people in the hall turned to face the stage which occupies the northern end of the building,

“A Happy Occasion.” The Bishop said he knew the occasion was a happy one for those who had been working for the consummation and building of the hut. Referring to the opening of the hut taking place so soon after the death of the Prime Minister, Bishop Holland said that Mr. Savage had shown throughout his political life a desire to serve the people and he felt sure the last thing he would want would be that his passing should hold up the bringing of the hut into use. -“I am sure his spirit is rejoicing with us to-night that we are doing something for the men who are helping their country,” he said.

“I am glad we were able to start to-night with that solemn little service of dedication,” said Bishop Holland, “for those who have given their money to build this hut thought of it first of all as a link between the churches you men have left in your own parishes and the life you have entered upon here. Those of us who served in the last war know how vital

it was that our Church .did not leave us behind. This hut symbolises the promises that wherever you go you will not be forgotten by your Church. We want this hut to be a link between you and your Church and your homes.”

Thanking those who had helped to raise the money or who had assisted in other ways with the hut, the Bishop said that the lovely furnishings of the sanctuary were all the gift of one —the Mayor of Lower Hutt, Mr. J. W. Andrews. They were made to the design of Mr. Gray Young, who was also the architect for the building. The builder was Mr. E. R. Glass, of Lower Hutt, who had given many of the essential things in it. The linen for the altar was the gift of a Gisborne parish.

The Bishop said he had been asked by the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) to apologise for his inability to be present. The Minister had expressed his delight that the hut had been built and the hope that the men would make good use of it.

Raising the Money.

Colonel Cunningham said that the Military Affairs Committee of the Church of England was very pleased to be able to open the hut. The site was reserved when the Mobilisation Camp was laid out, and it then rested with the committee to find the necessary funds. He regretted that it had

been necessary for some tune to carry on the work in a marquee, an ey were delighted to be opening he hut. Speaking of the splendid response made to the appeal for funds for the hut, Colonel Cunningham said that on one Sunday alone the sum of £ISOO was contributed through the ordinary collections in the parish churches. Major-General Duigan said he would like to thank Bishop Holland and the Church Committee for what they had done, not only at Trentham, but in the other camps for the military peoP>e who would go through them during the war. “It is essential to have these huts in the camps not only for their spiritual side, but also for their social side,” he said. “Here men can meet together and feel that they have a little bit of home. I have the greatest admiration for the work done to Provide these huts. lam very pleased to be here and have much pleasure in declaring the hut open.” .

. The new hut consists of a main hall 54 by 34 feet furnished with movable settees, chairs, and tables that can be arranged as seating accommodation when the hall is used for concerts or for services. The chapel is contained in a 12-foot square chancel at the southern end, and is screened by heavy curtains when not in use. The stage is 16ft. wide and 12ft. deep and is flanked on either side by dressingrooms for the use of concert parties. There is also a spacious and wellequipped kitchen and servery, where hot drinks and refreshments can be prepared, and there are also living quarters for the officer in charge, Captain I. Crawshaw, of the Church

Army. During the week the main hall will be available for recreation, reading, and writing. Two fireplaces will provide the necessary cheer and warmth for the winter months. The new hut is situated at the southern end of the Molilisation Camp on the area set aside for institute buildings of a similar kind.