Church Buildings Opened in Richmond

For the Presbyterian and Catholic churches in Richmond, the last five or six weeks have been momentous ones. On July 29 the new Presbyterian Youth Hall was opened and dedicated and two weeks later Richmond's old town hall, built more than 100 years ago, was reopened as the Richmond Catholic Church. In each instance, many hours of voluntary work helped reduce the building costs. The youth hall was opened and dedicated by the Rev. M. C. Kaarup, Moderator, of Takaka. The two photographs below were provided by Mr F. C. Dixon.

The new hall

The Rev. S. Burley, parish minister, and Mr H. S. Stevens, session clerk, beside a lectern given by an anonymous donor.

The opening ceremony, with Mr Flowers in the doorway, the Rev. Kaarup and the Rev. R. S. Miller, of Blenheim

The church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour was blessed and opened by the Rt. Rev. Mgr. A. J. McRae, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Wellington. The renovated church coat about $2500, all the planning being done by the parish priest, Father Bradford. The old building was bought for $180.
A big crowd saw Mgr. McRae bless the church

The opening ceremony was followed by an evening mass at which Mgr. McRae officiated

Rev. Fathers Bradford and F. S. Flynn flank Mgr. McRae on the church steps

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The Nelson Photo News

No 11 : September 16, 1961

Church Buildings Opened in Richmond