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The Weekly Record, Trinity, NF, December 26, 1891

Ireland's Eye Church
and its surroundings

(Concluded.)

The steeple 50 feet high is at the West end. The lower story forming the porch, the doors opening outwards (according to law.) There is a centre passage between the two rows of pews which are ten feet long. Three steps lead into the chancel, one into the Sanctuary, and the alter rests upon the fifth. The alter rail is made of oak, the gift of Rev. H. Johnson. The lectern also is of the same material, and reflects great credit on the workmanship of Mr. Fred Cooper.

A Screen of very open fret work adds greatly to the appearance of the Church, and certainly justifies the amount of time and labor spent in its execution. The windows are a striking feature in the building. Gothic in shape, they are all the work of Messers. Spence and Sons, a Canadian firm of stained glass workers.

The nave windows are Cathedral glass, headed with emblems in medallion in the centre. The emblems being suggestive of the follow8ng short quotations and mottoe which are inscribed on respectively the several windows.

    "Faith. Hope. Charity."
    "Behold the Lamb of God."
    "I am the living Bread."
    "Repent and be baptized."
    "No Cross. No Crown."
    "I am the tree Vine."
    "Blessed are the pure of Heart."
    "Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet."
    "Search the Scriptures."

    The chancel window, 11 feet in length, consisting of two lights and tracery, is more elaborate than the former. It has an ornamental border with diapered background, and in the centre of each light the sacred monogram A.W. and I.H.S. Above and below these the names of the Four Evangelists, with their emblems are given and at the bottom the following inscription:
    In Memoriam Rev'd. Charles Hugh Foster, who was lost at sea in S. S. Lion, on the Feast of the Epiphany, 1882.
    $20.00, towards the cost of this window was contributed by Mrs. Doyle, of Trinity.

    All the windows are faced internally with splay, which added to their beauty.

    The font is the gift of Mr. Thomas Cooper, being a memorial to his late daughter.

    It is of white marble, the bowl bears the words "Suffer little children to come unto me." The die is round and fluted, being about 2 feet in length. The base is square on the under side and round at its junction with the die. The circular part bears the following inscription:
    In Memoriam Harriet Elizabeth King, died Nov. 14, 1890, aged 30.

    A very handsome alter frontal and super frontal with a set of alter linen has been presented through the Lord Bishop by Miss Gresswall, of Oxford, England.

    The lectern was promised by Sir. W. V. Whiteway, but as it was required at short notice, and the material being on hand, coupled with the fact that the style and dimensions could be better judged of on the spot, it was thought advisable to make it there. On learning this, Sir William very kindly offered a stove and the necessary piping, which was gladly accepted. The cost, we think, was about $21.00. It is only right to mention that Mr. R. Hiscock and Mr. Thomas Green, almost simultaneously offered the necessary stove piping. The church will gladly receive their donations in some other shape.

    The subscription list which contains the name of the Lord Bishop for $50.00, of Mr. Bremner and other for various amounts is not yet completed, but will be held over for future publication. And here it may not be amiss to remark that all the contributions in money by the inhabitants have been given without the Clergyman asking for them. Any contributions will be thankfully received by the Churchwardens or the Incumbent.

    It will be another year before the Bishop can consecrate the building, so it is now being used for Divine worship. The first three services were taken on 1st Sunday in Advent. The day being fine every one ventured out and the congregations were much better than they would have been in the school. It was a day that had long been wished for. It evidently brought feelings of the deepest thankfulness to all hearts. It was the beginning of a new era. Every one seemed ready to follow the example of the renowned General Gordon, who used to take his place in the free seats of the parish church amongst the poor. Any thing like pride or self righteousness were most repugnant to his feelings. "We are all lepers!" he used to say, " Some have their leprosy covered with silk, some with tattered rags: take off the one and the other and there are the lepers!"

    There can be no doubt that the people of Ireland's Eye have been remarkably enthusiastic in their work. The "Skippers" James Loder, (who was Foreman of the work in the spring during Mr. Pittman's absence), James Toop, James Cooper, Eli Toop, Thos. Ivany and James Kelly, all deserve great credit, and whatever we say of them we must say of all. All worked hard, and all were willing to be on an equal footing in God's house, and we can assure our readers that they will be equally welcome to the use of that beautiful little church for the public worship of Almighty God should they ever have the fortune to land on the Island of Ireland's Eye.

    Laus Deo.


    Transcribed by James Butler, 2001.
    Revised by Jim Butler, 2003


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