Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Laying The Foundation Stone Of A Church At Blackburn.
LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF A CHURCH AT BLACKBURN .
The church people of Blackburn , with that indomitable energy and liberality which so preeminently distinguish thcm--and we are sure that the work they have done of recent years in the cause of education and relig ion far outrivals that of any other town of equal population—are
building school after school , church after chinch . No sooner is one finished than another is commenced . The town itself being amply provided with churches and capital schools , they forthwith turn their attention to the outskirts and to the populous and increasing villages about . The
ne . v church at Rishton is now progressing , and ere long the top stone will be put on with rejoicing . A church is building at Livesey , and this we may hope to see completed in the course of twelve months ; and on Saturday wo witnessed in common with thousands , the grand , impressive
but somewhat novel ceremony of laying the corner stone of St . James ' s , l ' eckgate . with full Masonic honours , by Bro . Major Le-Gendre Nicholas Starkie , P . S . G . W . of England , and R . W . P . G . M . of East Lancashire , assisted b y the Provincial Grand Officers . The Building
Committee of this church never did a more sensible thing then when they invited the honourable Order of Freemasons of the province of East Lancashire to come and help them to take the a prominent part in the day ' s proceedings , and to lend to them not a mystic but an exceeding emblematic charm , a pleasing significance which
even the most uncultured can comprehend and appreciate . And who more fitting to lay the corner stone of a beautiful temple to God than those who are fraternally united in an Order—the cardinal princip le upon which it is founded being charity ? This is the fundamental , and all other princip les radiate from and revolve round it .
This district crowns a lolly eminence , on the rig ht hand of ihe beautiful Paik , approached b y Limbrick and Sheaibrow , and familiarly known b y the uneuphonius name of Th'Hole i ' th Wall , I'he air in this part is bracing , and within its irea there is a population of 2 , 200 , who mostly
belong to the operative and industrial classes , and who , consequently are not blessed with too much of this world ' s goods , but they have contributed nobl y towards the project . It is now 18 long vears since their excellent and commodious school was built , in the time of the' Rev . I . II .
Marlen , and from that day to this it has been used as a dav and Sunday school , and also for the purpose of holding divine service twice on every Sabbath . The Rev . G . Whalley accepted the appointment of curate in charge of the district four years ago ,
and during the time he has been 111 this hale colony he has laboured with unflagging zeal , and it is mainly due lo his great exertions that the aspirations of the churchmen over whom he has pastoral cure are about to be realised . The new structure will cost over / J . ^ , ' , , exclusive
of site , and towards this , ( , ' 2 . 400 have auead y been raised by subscription . 'The Kcelcsia c lical t . ' ommissioniurs have made a grant of / . ' <; co out of the Church funds at their disposal- ¦ - the Diocesan Church building Society has made a ;; rant of . L \)' , o , and the Incorporated S .-ci .-iy , I . uiidon , one of A ' 200 .
The sty le of architecture of St . James CV . u-. c . i , now in course of erection , is Gothic ol mcdii . val limes . The external measuit ir . tni : ; are 119 ft . b y % r , oft . "Die main entrance- porch lace .- ; iu .. lh , and at some future time , funds permitting , a handsome lower will be erected over it . i' |!;>
other entrance will be by the vestry , h win h . of coarse brokt n rubble stone , with dressings oi Yorkshire and I / mgridge stone , whil : f the internal masonry will be ol the famous I ' alh sione . The sacred edifice , when finished , will consist ¦
ol nave , two side a' . sU s . clmu'vi , 01 \; -.: i e .: 'in-ry . vestry , and cellar for heali :: ;!; apparatus . It wil have ' simp le tracery windows .--trefoiis and qualrefoils , and that in the chancel will be a fiueone . The plan shows an open piteh p inc roof , opt 11
p itchp ine sittings ( which will accommodati about 6 44 persons ) , half of which will be fret and unappropriated . The procession was announced to leave tilt 'I ' own Hall at h . di ' past tlnee . St . John ' :.. Suiul . n
Laying The Foundation Stone Of A Church At Blackburn.
scholars assembled at their large school in Altom street ; l'eckgate Sunday scholars met at their school and proceeded to St . John ' s . They were marshalled in order , and left at three o ' clock for the Town Hall , taking the following route : —Down Limbrick , along
Richmond-terrace , Tackctt-street , the south side of Town Hall-street , to the front to meet the clergy and Freemasons . The latter met in the Assembly-room of the Town Hall , where a special Craft lodge was opened and formal
business transacted As the hour approached for the procession to leave a large concourse of people had assembled to witness its departure . Shortly after half-past three the strains of music were heard , and in a few minutes the whole procession moved to the site .
The whole route was lined with spectators , who viewed the various costumes and cut ious insignia with evident interest and pleasure . The proceedings were commenced by the singing of the Hundredth Psalm . The Rev . I .
Baker offered up prayer , after which Bro . Le-Gendre Nicholas Starkie , P . S . G . W . of England , and R . W . P . G . M . East Lancashire , w-ho was received with applause , said : Rev . Sir , ladies and gentlemen , and brethren ,- —Bv the kind invitation of those who wish to do God ' s
service , we have been invited , as Masonic brethren of this province , here to-day , to perform this very interesting and very touching ceremony of laying the foundation-stone of one of God ' s temples for the benefit of society to come hereafter . From time immemorial we , a small body
ol men , have b y prescriptive right , performed many of these ceremonies of laying foundationstones of glorious buildings , which acted their part in the time when they existed , anil have left memorials of greatness , of goodness , of charity , of intellect behind them . May this
stone , which we thus , by our ri ghts lay , to-day , be the foundation of love , unity and charity , and within the walls of the Church , amongst the members of the congregation , may there be peace and happiness , truth and justice , religion and piety . You must knov that while we
admit reli gious creeds within our society , and always advocate reli gion and morality , we are more or less a secret society ; but we wish to sanction reli gion ami reli gious instruction in every respect , which we believe to be essential lor every community , and nation , and people .
It is therefore most willingl y that we come here to-day to lay the foundation-stone of this Church in the presence of the Sunday school scholars , teachers , and others connected with the district ; one of those temples to Cod which I hope may redound to His honour , praise , and glory .
Without religion and morality , we could not , as a nation , have risen to pre-eminence in the world . Man is composed of two parts—the intellectual and moral—and reli gious instruction is as essential for the cultivation of the intellectas it is for the soul . Kaeh individual stone will form part of
this building , and this reminds us that we hate each a duty to fulfil in the place in which God has placed us ; and our creed as Freemasons teaches us the same . I hope , ladies and gentlein . ii , after the inauguration of to day , you will
have a building which may be a benilit to your town , and that it will spread its benign influence overall who may come within the shadow of its walls . May God speed the woik we are about to undertake .
'The Provincial Grand Chaplain ( Bro . K . \ V . Gilbert , M . J ., vicar of Falinge , Rochdale ) , oiiered up a prayir , and the Ma-: onie Choir san : ' the glc —• " When the Temple ' s first stone was slowl y descending . "
Ino . Kobmson presented to the l'rov . G . M ., a very handsome trowel , silver g ilt , with poli . Mied oak handle , pointed at the junction of the handle and blade with live amethysts , 'i he inscription upon il was— " Presented to P . ro . Le-Gendre
Nicholas Nlaikic , I ' . S . G . YV . oi' Knghmd , and K . '\ V . P . G . M . of Last Lancashire , on the occasion ol his laying the corner-stone , of St . James ' Church , Pleckgate district , in tlu Deanery of Blackburn , June 281 I 1 , 1873 . "
Bro . K . Lewis presented a mallet of polished oak , with iu .-eripiioii and pointed with amethysts in a similar manner lo the trowel . Tin- Provincial Grand Secretary ( Uvo . j . I ' linua ) lead the inscription 011 the bias :, plate
Laying The Foundation Stone Of A Church At Blackburn.
— " St . James s Church , Pleckgate District , in the Deanery of Blackburn . To the eternal glory of God , the Great Architect of the Universe , and in the faith of Jesus Christ , the corner stone of this church was laid with the
formalities of Craft Masonry by Le Gendre Nicholas Starkie , Esq ., P . G . S . W . of England , and R . W . P . G . M , of East Lancashire , assisted by the Prov . Grand Officers , on Saturday , the 28 th day of June , A . L . . 5873 , A . D . 1873 , and in the 37 th year of Queen Victoria . —James
Fraser , D . D ., Lord Bishop of Manchester ; William Thomas Carr , Esq ., donor of the site—Building Committee : Rev . John Baker , Vicar of St . John ' s , Chairman ; Rev . George Whalley , Secretary , Curate in charge ; Thomas Parkinson , Treasurer ; Richard Edmundson , Thomas
Clough , Richard Pembertcn , Christopher Parkinson , Joseph Callis , William Pomfrct . Architect , Stevens and Robinson , Derby ; builder Edward Lewis , Blackburn . " A bottle containing coins of the realm , a copy of the Herald , and other newspapers , was then
p laced in the cavity of the stone , the brass p late p laced over it , and the corner-stone lowered . Whilst the stone was being lowered the Masonic choir sang the first verse of the glee over again . When the stone was properly adjusted , Bro . C . Tiplady , P . P . G . T ., in the absence of
Bro . the Deputy Provincial Junior Warden , applied the plumb to the stone , and said : Ri g ht Worshipful Sir , — -1 find the stone perfect and trustworthy . Bro . Beswicke Royds , Senior Grand Warden , applied the level , saying : Ri ght Worshi p ful Grand Master , —I find this stone well founded .
Bro . T . Clough , P . P . G . R ., in the absence o the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Romaine Callender , similarly applietl the square , observing : Ri ght Worshipful Sir , —I have applied the square , and find the stone perfectly true .
The Right Worshi pful P . G . M . having testetl the stone , said : I declare this stone properly and truly laid . May the Almi ghty Architect of the Universe look down with benignity upon our present undertaking , and crown the edifice of which we have now laid the foundation with
every success . Bro . W . II . Cunlille , W . M ., of Lodge 269 , then presented Bro . Major Starkie with tine basse of corn—the emblem of p lenty—and laid it upon the stone .
Bro . G . Duerdeen , W . M . of Lodge 345 , presented a silver goblet , containing wine , the emblem of gladness , and also placed it upon the stone . Bro . Thomas Sourbutts , W . M . of Lod gc 346 , similarly presented a silver cup , containing oilthe emblem of peace—and laid it also upon the stone .
The Ri ght Worshi pful P . G . M . next poured a little oil and wine upon the corn on the stone , and the Masonic ceremony was concluded . Three cheers were called for Bro . Major Starkie , and they were given most enthusiastically .
Ihe Right Woishi pful Grand Master , Bro . . Major Starkie , in responding said he hoped they would all take deeply to heart the very earnest and very kind words which the last speakerthe vicar of St . John ' s—had addressed to them . It was a most pleasing matter that they had met
together cordially and fraternally , antl in every respect harmoniously , to carry out a good work ; and a most gratif ying sight to him 0 : 1 that occasion to see assembled around him the icspectability of that town of Blackburn . They had cause to be thankful that the Vicar of St .
John ' s had so kindly done his duty , and so kindly aided one of his brethren in tlie church to fuithcr the interests of reli gion for the benefit of the people . Acts and not words w . re what were wanted in the present generation—and In ; hoped the act they had performed that day
would hi : long remembered . When they had put their hands to ihe plough they should not turn back , and he trusted the people of Blackburn , having commenced that building , would complete it ; that it would stand a humanising Christianising temple for generations to come , and would be a benefit fo the people around .
The Rev . G . Whalley , curate in charge ol Pleckgate , then addressed the assemblage . The National Anthem was then sung , coin
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Laying The Foundation Stone Of A Church At Blackburn.
LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF A CHURCH AT BLACKBURN .
The church people of Blackburn , with that indomitable energy and liberality which so preeminently distinguish thcm--and we are sure that the work they have done of recent years in the cause of education and relig ion far outrivals that of any other town of equal population—are
building school after school , church after chinch . No sooner is one finished than another is commenced . The town itself being amply provided with churches and capital schools , they forthwith turn their attention to the outskirts and to the populous and increasing villages about . The
ne . v church at Rishton is now progressing , and ere long the top stone will be put on with rejoicing . A church is building at Livesey , and this we may hope to see completed in the course of twelve months ; and on Saturday wo witnessed in common with thousands , the grand , impressive
but somewhat novel ceremony of laying the corner stone of St . James ' s , l ' eckgate . with full Masonic honours , by Bro . Major Le-Gendre Nicholas Starkie , P . S . G . W . of England , and R . W . P . G . M . of East Lancashire , assisted b y the Provincial Grand Officers . The Building
Committee of this church never did a more sensible thing then when they invited the honourable Order of Freemasons of the province of East Lancashire to come and help them to take the a prominent part in the day ' s proceedings , and to lend to them not a mystic but an exceeding emblematic charm , a pleasing significance which
even the most uncultured can comprehend and appreciate . And who more fitting to lay the corner stone of a beautiful temple to God than those who are fraternally united in an Order—the cardinal princip le upon which it is founded being charity ? This is the fundamental , and all other princip les radiate from and revolve round it .
This district crowns a lolly eminence , on the rig ht hand of ihe beautiful Paik , approached b y Limbrick and Sheaibrow , and familiarly known b y the uneuphonius name of Th'Hole i ' th Wall , I'he air in this part is bracing , and within its irea there is a population of 2 , 200 , who mostly
belong to the operative and industrial classes , and who , consequently are not blessed with too much of this world ' s goods , but they have contributed nobl y towards the project . It is now 18 long vears since their excellent and commodious school was built , in the time of the' Rev . I . II .
Marlen , and from that day to this it has been used as a dav and Sunday school , and also for the purpose of holding divine service twice on every Sabbath . The Rev . G . Whalley accepted the appointment of curate in charge of the district four years ago ,
and during the time he has been 111 this hale colony he has laboured with unflagging zeal , and it is mainly due lo his great exertions that the aspirations of the churchmen over whom he has pastoral cure are about to be realised . The new structure will cost over / J . ^ , ' , , exclusive
of site , and towards this , ( , ' 2 . 400 have auead y been raised by subscription . 'The Kcelcsia c lical t . ' ommissioniurs have made a grant of / . ' <; co out of the Church funds at their disposal- ¦ - the Diocesan Church building Society has made a ;; rant of . L \)' , o , and the Incorporated S .-ci .-iy , I . uiidon , one of A ' 200 .
The sty le of architecture of St . James CV . u-. c . i , now in course of erection , is Gothic ol mcdii . val limes . The external measuit ir . tni : ; are 119 ft . b y % r , oft . "Die main entrance- porch lace .- ; iu .. lh , and at some future time , funds permitting , a handsome lower will be erected over it . i' |!;>
other entrance will be by the vestry , h win h . of coarse brokt n rubble stone , with dressings oi Yorkshire and I / mgridge stone , whil : f the internal masonry will be ol the famous I ' alh sione . The sacred edifice , when finished , will consist ¦
ol nave , two side a' . sU s . clmu'vi , 01 \; -.: i e .: 'in-ry . vestry , and cellar for heali :: ;!; apparatus . It wil have ' simp le tracery windows .--trefoiis and qualrefoils , and that in the chancel will be a fiueone . The plan shows an open piteh p inc roof , opt 11
p itchp ine sittings ( which will accommodati about 6 44 persons ) , half of which will be fret and unappropriated . The procession was announced to leave tilt 'I ' own Hall at h . di ' past tlnee . St . John ' :.. Suiul . n
Laying The Foundation Stone Of A Church At Blackburn.
scholars assembled at their large school in Altom street ; l'eckgate Sunday scholars met at their school and proceeded to St . John ' s . They were marshalled in order , and left at three o ' clock for the Town Hall , taking the following route : —Down Limbrick , along
Richmond-terrace , Tackctt-street , the south side of Town Hall-street , to the front to meet the clergy and Freemasons . The latter met in the Assembly-room of the Town Hall , where a special Craft lodge was opened and formal
business transacted As the hour approached for the procession to leave a large concourse of people had assembled to witness its departure . Shortly after half-past three the strains of music were heard , and in a few minutes the whole procession moved to the site .
The whole route was lined with spectators , who viewed the various costumes and cut ious insignia with evident interest and pleasure . The proceedings were commenced by the singing of the Hundredth Psalm . The Rev . I .
Baker offered up prayer , after which Bro . Le-Gendre Nicholas Starkie , P . S . G . W . of England , and R . W . P . G . M . East Lancashire , w-ho was received with applause , said : Rev . Sir , ladies and gentlemen , and brethren ,- —Bv the kind invitation of those who wish to do God ' s
service , we have been invited , as Masonic brethren of this province , here to-day , to perform this very interesting and very touching ceremony of laying the foundation-stone of one of God ' s temples for the benefit of society to come hereafter . From time immemorial we , a small body
ol men , have b y prescriptive right , performed many of these ceremonies of laying foundationstones of glorious buildings , which acted their part in the time when they existed , anil have left memorials of greatness , of goodness , of charity , of intellect behind them . May this
stone , which we thus , by our ri ghts lay , to-day , be the foundation of love , unity and charity , and within the walls of the Church , amongst the members of the congregation , may there be peace and happiness , truth and justice , religion and piety . You must knov that while we
admit reli gious creeds within our society , and always advocate reli gion and morality , we are more or less a secret society ; but we wish to sanction reli gion ami reli gious instruction in every respect , which we believe to be essential lor every community , and nation , and people .
It is therefore most willingl y that we come here to-day to lay the foundation-stone of this Church in the presence of the Sunday school scholars , teachers , and others connected with the district ; one of those temples to Cod which I hope may redound to His honour , praise , and glory .
Without religion and morality , we could not , as a nation , have risen to pre-eminence in the world . Man is composed of two parts—the intellectual and moral—and reli gious instruction is as essential for the cultivation of the intellectas it is for the soul . Kaeh individual stone will form part of
this building , and this reminds us that we hate each a duty to fulfil in the place in which God has placed us ; and our creed as Freemasons teaches us the same . I hope , ladies and gentlein . ii , after the inauguration of to day , you will
have a building which may be a benilit to your town , and that it will spread its benign influence overall who may come within the shadow of its walls . May God speed the woik we are about to undertake .
'The Provincial Grand Chaplain ( Bro . K . \ V . Gilbert , M . J ., vicar of Falinge , Rochdale ) , oiiered up a prayir , and the Ma-: onie Choir san : ' the glc —• " When the Temple ' s first stone was slowl y descending . "
Ino . Kobmson presented to the l'rov . G . M ., a very handsome trowel , silver g ilt , with poli . Mied oak handle , pointed at the junction of the handle and blade with live amethysts , 'i he inscription upon il was— " Presented to P . ro . Le-Gendre
Nicholas Nlaikic , I ' . S . G . YV . oi' Knghmd , and K . '\ V . P . G . M . of Last Lancashire , on the occasion ol his laying the corner-stone , of St . James ' Church , Pleckgate district , in tlu Deanery of Blackburn , June 281 I 1 , 1873 . "
Bro . K . Lewis presented a mallet of polished oak , with iu .-eripiioii and pointed with amethysts in a similar manner lo the trowel . Tin- Provincial Grand Secretary ( Uvo . j . I ' linua ) lead the inscription 011 the bias :, plate
Laying The Foundation Stone Of A Church At Blackburn.
— " St . James s Church , Pleckgate District , in the Deanery of Blackburn . To the eternal glory of God , the Great Architect of the Universe , and in the faith of Jesus Christ , the corner stone of this church was laid with the
formalities of Craft Masonry by Le Gendre Nicholas Starkie , Esq ., P . G . S . W . of England , and R . W . P . G . M , of East Lancashire , assisted by the Prov . Grand Officers , on Saturday , the 28 th day of June , A . L . . 5873 , A . D . 1873 , and in the 37 th year of Queen Victoria . —James
Fraser , D . D ., Lord Bishop of Manchester ; William Thomas Carr , Esq ., donor of the site—Building Committee : Rev . John Baker , Vicar of St . John ' s , Chairman ; Rev . George Whalley , Secretary , Curate in charge ; Thomas Parkinson , Treasurer ; Richard Edmundson , Thomas
Clough , Richard Pembertcn , Christopher Parkinson , Joseph Callis , William Pomfrct . Architect , Stevens and Robinson , Derby ; builder Edward Lewis , Blackburn . " A bottle containing coins of the realm , a copy of the Herald , and other newspapers , was then
p laced in the cavity of the stone , the brass p late p laced over it , and the corner-stone lowered . Whilst the stone was being lowered the Masonic choir sang the first verse of the glee over again . When the stone was properly adjusted , Bro . C . Tiplady , P . P . G . T ., in the absence of
Bro . the Deputy Provincial Junior Warden , applied the plumb to the stone , and said : Ri g ht Worshipful Sir , — -1 find the stone perfect and trustworthy . Bro . Beswicke Royds , Senior Grand Warden , applied the level , saying : Ri ght Worshi p ful Grand Master , —I find this stone well founded .
Bro . T . Clough , P . P . G . R ., in the absence o the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Romaine Callender , similarly applietl the square , observing : Ri ght Worshipful Sir , —I have applied the square , and find the stone perfectly true .
The Right Worshi pful P . G . M . having testetl the stone , said : I declare this stone properly and truly laid . May the Almi ghty Architect of the Universe look down with benignity upon our present undertaking , and crown the edifice of which we have now laid the foundation with
every success . Bro . W . II . Cunlille , W . M ., of Lodge 269 , then presented Bro . Major Starkie with tine basse of corn—the emblem of p lenty—and laid it upon the stone .
Bro . G . Duerdeen , W . M . of Lodge 345 , presented a silver goblet , containing wine , the emblem of gladness , and also placed it upon the stone . Bro . Thomas Sourbutts , W . M . of Lod gc 346 , similarly presented a silver cup , containing oilthe emblem of peace—and laid it also upon the stone .
The Ri ght Worshi pful P . G . M . next poured a little oil and wine upon the corn on the stone , and the Masonic ceremony was concluded . Three cheers were called for Bro . Major Starkie , and they were given most enthusiastically .
Ihe Right Woishi pful Grand Master , Bro . . Major Starkie , in responding said he hoped they would all take deeply to heart the very earnest and very kind words which the last speakerthe vicar of St . John ' s—had addressed to them . It was a most pleasing matter that they had met
together cordially and fraternally , antl in every respect harmoniously , to carry out a good work ; and a most gratif ying sight to him 0 : 1 that occasion to see assembled around him the icspectability of that town of Blackburn . They had cause to be thankful that the Vicar of St .
John ' s had so kindly done his duty , and so kindly aided one of his brethren in tlie church to fuithcr the interests of reli gion for the benefit of the people . Acts and not words w . re what were wanted in the present generation—and In ; hoped the act they had performed that day
would hi : long remembered . When they had put their hands to ihe plough they should not turn back , and he trusted the people of Blackburn , having commenced that building , would complete it ; that it would stand a humanising Christianising temple for generations to come , and would be a benefit fo the people around .
The Rev . G . Whalley , curate in charge ol Pleckgate , then addressed the assemblage . The National Anthem was then sung , coin