The Parish Messenger Feb 1931 REPORT OF CANON-IN-RESIDENCE Rev. Canon Thornton
Following on the year of Jubilee which was a year of endeavour and change, the past year has been a year of quiet steady consolidation and progress. The new atmosphere in the, Cathedral has helped to create a better spirit of worship. We are all susceptible to our environment, and have found it easier to worship in our new setting. On the outside the building is as it was, but when we come within the doors we a conscious of the fact that this is not the old St. Paul’s but a new and better building.
Let us recall some of the advantages we have found in the new arrangements this year. We enter into a fine large porch that seems to welcome us at once, and where notices and books can be adequately displayed.
The choir are housed within the main building, and do not have to face rain and wind as they attempt to enter when robed for Service.
Baptism seems more real and dignified, and the place where we receive the children is a place of beauty, instead of an ugly corner.
The Worshippers are more compact and there are not those gaps in the congregation that creates a cold feeling.
The east end is more spacious and at Synod we could comfortably seat all the clergy in the Sanctuary Chancel.
The Side Chapel is most useful, and is really the most frequently used part of the Church. Daily Services are held there, and week-day Celebrations. We have even had a Confirmation and a Wedding there.
The old Choir is now used by the Clergy and Lay-Canons, and there is plenty of room for all to robe and work.
Many old Parishioners and passing strangers visit the Cathedral and express their delight with it all. It is quite a common sight now after Services to see a group of people being escorted round the building to view and admire the furnishings and fittings
New gifts presented this year, were the Verger's Stall presented in memory of a late honorary Verger by Mrs Biggs and family; the table, pigeon holes, notice, board in the Porch presented by Mrs Cox in memory of her husband and children; and a Wine Flagon, brought from England by the Rev A. E. Ellissmith. Bookmarkers, a Linen for the Credence Table in the Side Chapel, worked and given by Miss Nancy Shepard; An Organ for the Side Chapel in memory of Mr and Mrs Horace Rich (the latter a former Organist of the Church) of the Church) presented by their daughters. These were all most acceptable and dedicated for use.
The Floral Fete was a most pronounced success and in spite of the depression the nett results were about £235. £100 was paid into the current account to reduce the overdraft, and the balance went to the Jubilee Renovation Fund to pay interest and Loans.
The Young People’s work went on happily through the year. The Sunday School should be better attended, but Parents are very careless these days. We thank the teachers for their self denying labours.
Within the Church, the work has gone on happily. The services are of a very high order. The congregations have been very good. The congregations have been very good, although we have a percentage of “Spasmodic worshipers.” These are the people who come for a while, then have a long break, and suddenly turn up again. They seem to try and emulate the weather, which is not very reliable, and cannot be depended upon.
