St Mary of the Angels Catholic Church parishioners will be able to attend a Sunday Mass at St John’s in the City Presbyterian Church while their church undergoes earthquake strengthening work during the next 18 months.
The two churches have a long history of supporting each other during tough times. ”We feel this is a practical way we can help our neighbour church,” Rev Allister Lane said.
The close association between the two churches goes back to the 1850s, when a priest from St Mary of the Angels offered to conduct a service at St John’s in the City while the Presbyterian community waited for a minister to arrive from Scotland.
In the 1990s, St Mary of the Angels’ Boulcott St church was closed for renovations and Masses were held at St John’s in upper Dixon St. The co-operation between the two institutions continues today, with a combined Advent service each year using a joint choir from both churches.
St Mary of the Angels parish priest Father Barry Scannell, SM, expressed gratitude for the St John’s offer.
”It will also help our parishioners come together for worship while we undertake the earthquake strengthening of our church building.”
ST MARY SUNDAY MASS TIMES
7am – St Mary of the Angels Parish Hall, Boulcott St;
9am – Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Hill St;
Noon – St John’s in the City (with Robert Oliver’s Gregorian chant choir) and
5pm – St Joseph’s, Mount Victoria.
Source
- Stuff.co.nz
- Image: Historic.org.nz
