The foundation stone of an Episcopal church, to be named “All Saints,” was on Saturday last laid by the right Reverend the Bishop of Christchurch, assisted by the Rev. E. G. Edwards and other clergymen. The building is to be erected under the superintendence of Messrs Mason and Clayton.

The ceremony of laying the corner-stone of the North Dunedin Episcopal Church was performed by the Bishop of Christchurch, on Saturday afternoon. The building, which is from a design by Messrs Mason and Clayton, architects, Dunedin, is of Early English style, and is intended to be erected in coloured materials; that is to say the walls will be of red pressed bricks, and the arches above all the openings will be turned in black and white bricks alternately throughout the entire design, both inside and outside the building.

The present contract is for the nave and baptistry only, the amount being something over £1300, which includes the erection of a temporary vestry; and it is expected that before completion the building will cost about £3000.

The church will consist of a nave, north and south transepts, and deep chancel, with semi-circular east end. The building is designed specially to suit the present site (a quarter-acre section in Cumberland Street) which stands about 3 ft above the level of the footpath and when finished will consist of a campanile tower standing out a considerable distance in front of the nave, and intended to be erected on the street line.

From the campanile tower the Baptistry is approached by a corridor of appropriate design, which joins the main entrance to the church at the west end of the nave. Two other entrances are also provided at the east end, thereby affording ample accommodation for ingress and egress. When completed the building will be capable of accommodating six hundred persons, allowing five superficial feet to each, exclusive of passages, &c.

It is also proposed to add two small galleries in the north and south transepts, one for an organ and choir, and the other for children; the walls of the transept being considerably higher than those of the nave, admitting of galleries without taking from the internal appearance of the nave, which will be 48 by 35 feet, and the chancel 35 by 20 feet. The walls of the nave, will be 16 feet from the floor to the spring of the roof, and 46 feet from the floor to the ridge. The roof is of light design and in one span, and is intended to be finished in royal blue and gold.

The nave is lighted by a very large west window, and three two light windows on either side, which are carried considerably higher than the wall-plate, to obtain proportion and light; at the same time adding to the architectural appearance of the building, both externally and internally, by breaking the roof. There being a high-pitched gable over each window, the roofing to each will add both strength and aspect to the main roof.

At the east angles of the transepts the design is greatly relived by octagonal stair turrets, which form the approached to the galleries. The building is designed without buttresses, the architects gaining relief entirely by the use of the coloured materials.

The campanile tower will have a somewhat novel appearance, standing, as it does, about 20 feet to the west of the nave, and in a manner detached, for although there are precedents for the campanile standing at a considerable distance north or south of the

west angles, the architects do not know of an instance where the position is the same as in this design. The effect, however, is decidedly good, and the difficulty of the site is overcome by the agreement.

A perspective drawing of the church may be seen in the Fine Arts Department of the Exhibition. The work will be carried out by Mr James Gore, contractor, under the supervision of Messrs, Mason and Clayton, architects, Princes Street.

In accordance with previous announcements, those interested in the erection of the church formed into procession at the North Dunedin Schoolhouse precisely at half past one o’clock, and at once proceeded to the site at which the ceremony was to take place. In addition to the Bishop and a number of the local clergymen, there were present his Honor the Superintendent, his Honor Mr Justice Chapman, and a number of ladies and gentlemen.

The service commenced with reading the 122nd Psalm, and was conducted by the Right Reverend the Bishop, assisted by the Rev. Mr Gifford, of Oamaru, and the Rev. E. G. Edwards. The initial ceremony being concluded, Mr Mason, Architect, deposited a bottle containing copies of the Daily Times and Daily Mail, and a document bearing the following words, in the receptacle:- “To the Glory of God.” The corner stone of this building, to be called the Church of All Saints, was laid by the Right Reverend Henry John Chitty, Bishop of Christchurch, on Saturday, the 11th day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the presence of the Rev. Edward George Edwards, Rural Dean; the Rev. Edward Granger, Curate of the Parish of All Saints, and several other clergymen; and also of the following gentlemen, members of the Building Committee-Messrs Henry Orbell, James White, George Cornwell, Vincent Pyke, Mathew H. Miller, Frederick Richardon, J. Waymouth. Architects: Messrs Mason and Clayton.

Taking up the trowel and laying it upon the stone, which was then lowered to its resting place, the Bishop pronounced the benediction, and said: It might not be out of place for him, on an occasion so solemn as the present, to address them in a few words of thankfulness to Him by whose inspiration they had assembled to witness the laying of the cornerstone of a building to be erected to the worship of His Holy Name. No one could look around in Dunedin without seeing the necessity of additional church accommodation; and it was therefore a matter of thankfulness that they had been permitted to assemble together that day to commence the erection of a building which would supply that necessity so much felt to exist for some time past.

And why, it might be asked, did they attach so much importance to a building of that description? In the first place, because it brought vividly to mind their dependence on Him to whom all homage and worship was due, not merely the worship of one or two days, but a worship extending throughout their whole existence. For several other reasons the occasion was one of great importance. The church had been commenced, and he trusted that those to whom he was speaking would not be wanting on their part to do all that in their power lay to complete it, to the honor and glory of God’s holy name.

After further prayer had been offered, the Hundredth Psalm was sung, and the ceremony concluded.

The newly erected church of England (All Saints) in Cumberland Street, will be opened for divine service on Saturday, 23 inst.