[From Manx Quarterly, #3 November 1907]

ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH CHANCEL. FOUNDATION STONE CEREMONY.

Reverent and simple and seemly was the ceremony connected with the laying, on the 25th July, 1907, of the foundation stone of the chancel which is about to be erected in connection with St. Matthew's Church; and in these characteristics the function was in pleasant contrast with the proceedings which generally accompany similar ceremonies in the Isle of Man. The Bishop of Sodor and Man bore the principal part in the laying of the stone, and in doing so he probably performed his last important ecclesiastical act prior to taking up his duties as Bishop of Newcastle. Glorious weather favoured the function, there being a cloudless sky, while a gentle breeze was grateful and refreshing. At 3-15 p.m. the clergy who took part in or attended the ceremony robed in the Town Hall, and subsequently joined the procession, which was marshalled outside the municipal buildings, and marched to the site of the chancel. The procession was headed by the wardens of St. Matthew's, Messrs J. R. Fielding and R. H. Kelly. Mr Fielding, the venerable nonagenarian, who has been a warden for a period of over quarter-of-a-century, was a conspicuous figure, and his interest in the proceedings throughout was of the keenest character. Following the wardens were the members of St. Matthew's choir, who, with the accompaniment of a cornet-apiston, sang the hymn commencing " We love the place, O God, wherein Thine honour dwells," to a processional tune. Then came the clergy, of whom a goodly number attended. The Bishop was attended by his chaplains, the Revs W. I. Moran (Principal of the Bishop Wilson Theological School) and J. M. Spicer (Vicar of Malew). Among the other clergy present were the Ven. Archdeacon . Gill, the Revs Canon Taggart (Vicar of St. Matthew's), J. R. Campbell (Vicar of St. George's), G. E. Craven (Vicar of St. Barnabas'), Canon Savage (Vicar of St. Thomas's), H. S. Taggart (Salford), Canon Moore (Vicar of Braddan), W. E. Davies, Dr Butler, W. H. Gibson, F. W. Stubbs, R. Cain (Baldwin), J. G. Pope (curate of Braddan), etc. The Mayor of Douglas (Mr Councillor Sharp, J.P.) was also present. There was a large gathering of parishioners and others of the laity in the enclosure, these including Mrs Straton, the Attorney-General (Mr G. A. Ring), and the Vicar-General (Mr C. T. W. Hughes-Games). The foundation stone consisted of a large block of red sandstone, inscribed with the figures 1907 and the Maltese cross. There was no cavity, for the reason that the foundation stone of the main building of the church covers a cavity in which are deposited the customary documents and coins. Once the procession had filed into the enclosure and the clergy had formed three sides of a hollow square in the vicinity of the stone, the Ven. Archdeacon, standing near the stone, recited with splendid elocutionary effect the explanatory exhortation printed in the order of service which had been drawn up for the occasion. The Archdeacon subsequently read the appointed prayers, the responses being heartily made by the assembly. Then Psalm. cxxxii., "Lord, remember David," was sung, and at its conclusion the Vicar of St. Matthew's, laying his hand upon the stone, invoked a special blessing upon the ceremony. The contractor, Mr George Preston, next handed to the Bishop a silver trowel with ivory handle, the blade being inscribed as follows :"With this trowel the foundation stone of the chancel of St. Matthew's Church, Douglas, was laid by the Right Rev. Norman D. J. Straton, D.D., Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man. Feast of St. James, A.D., MCMVII." The Bishop, on receiving the trowel, spread the mortar on the bed prepared for the stone, and, tapping the stone, which had been lowered into the bed, spoke as follows:-" In the faith of Jesus Christ we place this foundation stone, in the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. Amen." His Lordship then declared the stone well and truly laid, and subsequently the Vicar supplicated that the prayers which ascended from the building should be heard. Next came an address by the Bishop.

The Bishop said: My dear friends; I have a few words to address to you on this interesting occasion. You will remember, I think, how it is written in the Book of Psalms, " Man goeth forth to his work and unto his labour until the evening." I think that this word "evening," as used in this passage, is capable of a variety of inter pretations. Primarily, no doubt, it refers to the evening of each day in the world of iv ature - but I take it, it may also have reference to the end of any particular work in which we engage; to a period or sphere of particular labour, in which any servant of God engages; and last of all, to the end of our natural life. Only let us remember this, I am sure about it, that man will never obtain that satisfaction of mind and that prospect of rest for which he looks for, except in proportion as he approaches to the completion of the task which he has taken in hand. When I say this, I don't forget that memorablo saying of our Blessed Lord, "One soweth and another reapeth." Sowing is one branch of work, reaping is another. The reflection which these words impress upon us should only stir us the more; whatever the work may be, and in whatever sense we interpret that word eying, to act on His own exhortation-

" Work while it is day, for the night cometh when no man can work." And . now, with those thoughts in my mind, which you can understand are pressing upon me in my own circumstances at this time, I cannot easily tell you with what pleasure I have accepted the invitatiot which has been given to me to lay the foundation stone of the new chancel of St. Matthew's Church to-day. I was terribly afraid a few hours ago that I should not have had the pleasure of being with you on this occasion. I was summoned to do homage to his Majesty to-morrow at Buckingham Palace; but when I represented certain circumstances and engagements which I had, his Majesty was graciously pleased to postpone his command to me to be present myself there. I consider it a great privilege to be with you on this occasion. I recall a period fifteen years ago, when you were accustomed to speak of me as your new Bishop; to-day,you will speakof me as your departing Bishop. I remember just fifteen years ago this very month, I preached for the first time in old St. Matthew's Church. Will you excuse me when I say that interesting and picturesque as that old church was, I don't think it quite comported with our notions at the present time of what a House of God should be, in respect of its condition, or of the traditions which appertained to it with regard to that great Bishop of this isle; I refer, of course, to Bishon Wilson. I am the more glad that your good, your indefatigable, and well-beloved Vicar at once took in hand the idea of building a new St. Matthew's Church, and owing to that devoted attachment which you all who belong to this parish feel towards him, you have supported him so liberally that just ten years ago next month I had the pleasure of consecrating the new church. Now, what has occurred since? I don't hesitate to say that much has occurred which leads me to feel, and I think you will all feel with me, that the new chancel was greatly needed. Why do I say needed-I use that word advisedly? Because St. Matthew's Church was full. On many and many an occasion I have preached in that church when it was crowded, and persons had to go away. I am told that this is a general state of things. Now we come together in the Providence of God to lay the foundation stone of the new chancel. The support which was accorded to your Vicar in regard to the church has been extended
to him also in respect of the chancel, and owing again to the loyal and devoted spirit which has manifested itself always in my recollection as regards St. Matthew's, and to the great efforts made by one whom I am delighted to see here this afternoon-I refer to the AttorneyGeneral-a large sum has been raised, which renders it quite reasonable and proper that we should begin the work. Well, it has been a peculiar pleasure to me that this scheme, which was taken in hand about fifteen years ago, is now approaching completion. It is the evening of my episcopate; we are all getting on in life, and I am sure that many around me will feel glad that their lives have been spared to see this much-needed chancel commenced, and that we have come within practical and measurable distance of the end of our undertaking. My friends, I will not detain you at any length of time this afternoon; but this I should like to add: That when I leave you, which must be now in a very few weeks, I shall carry with me to my new home recollections of St. Matthew's which will not fade from my mind. Let me say in your presence, and in his presence, I have never known a more indefatigable and hard-working and well-beloved inc,imbent of a parish than my friend on my right: and I have never known a clergyman who has been more heartily and warmly supported by his people than my friend Canon Taggart. I know you will all join with me in that feeling, and I can only pray, as my last word this afternoon, that God's riches and blessing may rest upon him and on all he does here; and that it may rest upon you likewise who are workers in his parish, and on the people who belong to it - and still further, that His blessing may rest, as we have praved already to-day, on the building of this chancel which is now commenced and when it is finished, on the services to be held in this extended church. May God bless you all; I shall never forget you. I hope you will never think for one moment that I shall ever forget my episcopate in this Isle. It is
deeply impressed on my own mind, and I wish to thank God for all the merices and blessings He has given me while I have been here among you. I will say no more, but pray God's richest blessing on you all and the work which I have been privileged to commence to-day.

At the conclusion of the address, Canon Taggart announced that in order to complete the building of the chancel a sum of £300 was needed, in addition to what they had in hand. He would be very glad if those present would encourage the Vicar and Wardens by giving the best collection they could possibly give.-A hymn, "In the Name which earth and heaven ever worship, praise, and fear," was then sung, and during the singing of it a collection in aid of the building fund was taken, and realised £31. The offertory was received and laid on the stone by the Vicar, who recited the customary dedication, and afterwards read the closing prayers, which included that for unity of spirit, and the supplications, general and special, for all the estates of Holy Church. The pronouncement of the blessing, by the Bishop, concluded the interesting proceedings.

After the ceremony, tea was served in St. Matthew's Hall.

The architect of the chancel is Mr F. A. Pearson, of Mansfield-street, London, whose father was the architect of St. Matthew's Church. Mr Pearson is really carrying out his father's designs, the plans originally contemplating nave, tower, and chancel. Mr Pearson, senr., R.A., it should be mentioned, was one of the most eminent ecclesiastical architects in the United Kingdom. The general style of the architecture of the chancel is to be Gothic, and the outside work will be executed in local rubble stone, with Whitehaven red sandstone dressings. Mr George Preston is the contractor, and Mr Mark Carine is the clerk of the works, under the architect. The cost of the chancel will be about £1,200.