The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-06-09 00:00:00

NEW CHURCH AT SEACOMBE.

We have great gratification in stating, that the founda-
tion stone of a new church, to be built by subscription, to
be called St. Paul's, and attached as a chapel-of-ease to
Wallasey Church, was laid on Saturday, at t.'eacombe, a
locality which, from its rapidly increasing population and
importance as a township, has for some years been greatly
in want of a place of worship under the Establishment.
The site selected is most convenient and appropriate, be-
ing at the top of the lane, or private road, leading from
behind the Woodside Hotel, to another private road on
the eminence, running about north and south, so that,
though Net surrounded by fields, it will be almost in the
midst of the inhabitants, who will have easy access to it
by three different ways. We have been favoured by the
architect, Mr. Hay, of St. George's Chambers, with a
sight of the plans, and perspective views of the building,
as it will appear when finished ; and we coesider it ex-
tremely neat and suitable for a country church. It is a
good specimen of the early middle pointed, and the ma-
sonry is to he done with neatly squared rubble, of a yel-
lowish colour. The walls are low, and divided into bays
by buttresses, not merely ornamental, but chiefly useful
in resisting the pressure of the open roof. The roof is
formed of a series of Gothic ribs, supporting the other
timbers, which are all to be dressed and varnished. The
construction is similar to that of the Holy Trinity, now
erecting at Cabbage Hall, from the designs and under the
superintendence of the same architect, and which has
been much and justly admired by persons of taste in eccle-
siastical structures.. There is a south porch, and at the
north-west angle stands the tower, terminated with pin-
nacles and graceful tapering spire. Over the terminations
to the moulding, at the western entrance, are to be cut
the likenesses of her Majesty the Queen and the Lord
Bishop of Chester. As nothing gives a more ecclesiasti-
cal appearance to a church than a deep chancel, we would
recommend that this ought to be carefully studied. In
this church the chancel is 22 by 19 feet, which, though
deeper than many of our modern buildings, might yet be
made more perfect by an extension of 8 or 10 feet.

In several parts of the building we see a clear apprecia-
tion of the symbolism found in our more ancient buildings
—for example, the lowly doorways, teaching and typifying
Christian humility—the lofty roof, showing the faith and
heaven-aspiring hopes of the believer.
Upon the whole we are extremely pleased with it. The
interior view conveys a strong impression of ample air and
ventilation, and it will be, without elaborate decoration, a
small but solemn temple, in which the rich and poor may,
with comfort, offer up their united adorations to the
author of all good. The building is expected to cost about
£2,000, and will seat about 800 persons.
Shortly after twelve o'clock the clergy, and others
inteasected in the ceremony, walked, the former in
their gowns, from the hotel to the site, where the stone
was already poised from sheers, ready to be deposited. A
large number of the respectable inhabitants of Seacombe
and the neighbouring townships, as well as many parties
from this side of the water, had congregated round the
spot, where a sloping platform had been erected for the
accomodation of the subscribers, many of whom, to their
honour be it said, reside in other townships, and have no
property in Seacombe, so that their liberality is of a truly
disinterested and philanthropic character. Several elegant
carriages drove up to the ground, and amongst the com-
pany was a considerable number of ladies and gentlemen
of the vicinity. _ _ _ _

Amongst the latter were—the Rev. Thos. Byrth, D.D.,
rector of Wallasey, who was to lay the stone ; the Rev.
John Tobin, M.A., the Rev. A. M'Conkey, T. Sands,
Esq., H. Winch, Esq., George Hamilton Crump, Esq ,
T. K. Hassall, Esq., (clerk of the commissioners,) T.
Ripley, Esq., Richard Parry, Esq., George and James
Atherton, Esqrs., (of New Brighton,) John Crosthwaite,
Esq., John Mawdsley, Esq., Daniel Buchanan, Esq.,
John Halliday, Esq., 0. Edwards, Esq., Geo. Searight,
Esq., Adrian Lowe, Esq., Augustus Woodward, Esq.,
&c., &c.

In the lower stone, on which " the" foundation stone,
par excellence, was to be deposited, a hole was perfora-
ted, and covered with a plate of copper bearing the follow-
ing inscription :—" This stone was laid on June the 6th,
1846, by Thomas Byrth, D.D., Rector of Wallasey.--
George Grant and Richard Parry, Churchwardens."'—
Coins of the realm, enclosed in a bottle, were deposited
in the lower stone.

The ceremony commenced by the Rev. Mr. Tobin
reading consecutively the 67th, the 132 d, and 133 d Psalms.
The Rev. Dr. Byrth then read and pronounced prayers
appropriate to the undertaking. The 100th Psalm was
then sung; after which,
HENRY MEADOWS, Esq., on presenting a silver trowel
to the rev, rector, said the and on which the church was
to be built was kindly presented by Mr. Smith, the lord
of the manor ; and the site, which he had himself selected
as the most eligible, was approved by the Rev. Dr. Byrth.
The erection of the church would, he doubted not, be a
blessing to the inhabitants, and especially to the poor,
who, with their children, would be taught the truths of
religion. He believed that in fifteen months the church
would be completed, and the Word of God promulgated
within its walls. He concluded by presenting the trowel
to the rev. rector, to whom the square and plummet,
made of polished rosewood, were also handed.
The stone was then lowered to its place, and after
squaring and plimming it in the usual manner,
The Rev. Dr. Byrth said in effect that he could not
suffer the present opportunity to pass without giving
utterance to a few words on the occasion of their
assembling at that place, and he trusted it would be the
commencement of many happy days to the inhabitants of
the township, and be the means of introducing them to
that endless day to which they would hereafter be called.
Had they laid the foundation stone of a building for the
promotion and accommdation of commerce, they would
have breathed many a wish and aspiration that it would
be all sufficient for the purpose for which it was intended.
If a structure for the amusement of the people were to
be constructed, (he did not mean one of those from which
he believed vice derived her most attractive influences),
they would feel an anxiety for its success. Had they to
build a school of sc;ence, or a museum, they had a right
to devote to its completion their best services. Or if the
building were to be for the assistance of persons in bodily
distress—an hospital or a dispensary—who would not wish
that there should be a concentration of skill and energy
exerted upon it? But there was something far beyond
these and the passing joy which their establishment ex-
cited. There was something after these and their effect
had passed away. The noblest of these objects were only
secular, temporary, and fleeting. Men might be rich,
and not necessarily better men. They might be wealthy,
and not necessarily wiser or more virtuous. He saw
around him men who had contributed most munificently
to the object before them; and this was, therefore, not
the place to prolong such reflections : but it was evident
to him that mere scientific and literary attainments were
frequently co-existent with the lowest state of morality.
if a place were wanted for the relief of distress, they
would, lie felt assured, contribute to its promotion. But
here there was a wider scope for their Christian benevo-
lence, bearing upon the moral character of man, and
tending to qualify him for that future state of existence
for which he is destined, when this world has passed away,

" And, like the baseless fabric of a vision,

Lett not a wreck behind.''
The laying of this foundation-stone was a witness for
God. This stone, and those to be placed upon it, would
be a testimony to the truths of Christianity. The build-
ing would not be of great size, but it might remind them
of the twelve apostles, when they preached in an upper
chamber. The rev. speaker then gave a solomn pledge to
his hearers, that he would prefer no man to be the offici-
ating pastor of the congregation of the church, who was
not a person of known piety, of sound theological know-
ledge, educated in the church, and of the requisite persua-
sive eloquence to impress his hearers with the valuable
truths of Scripture. He concluded by imploring a bles-
sing on all present, and on the good work so auspiciously
begun.

Mr. 11. WYNcit read from a parchment the particulars
relative to the building of the church, the handsome dona-
tion of the land by It. Smith, Esq., lord of the manor, the
inscription on the foundation plate, &c. He begged leave
to tender to the Rev. Rector the thanks of those present
for the great services he had that day rendered, and the
pains and exertions he had taken to raise the holy struc-
ture. It was to him (the Rector) to whom they were in-
debted, in a great measure, for their success. He con-
gratulated the parish, and particularly the township, in
seeing the commencement of a building to be devoted to
the worship of Almighty God. Such a temple had long
been wanted in the locality. It would, however, be im-
perfect in itself without the addition of a school. The
work, though liberally begun, could not be considered'
finished until this addition were supplied ; and he hoped
that when they met again, the crowning stone would be
put to the undertaking by the establishment of a school.

The Rev. Dr. Bvitru said they had already supplicated
the Disine aid in behalf of the church, and they had been
heard with favour. Ile could assure the last speaker
that nothing would give him greater pleasure than in as,
sisting Mr. Wynch, as he had that day assisted him (Dr.
Byrth) in hying the foundation stone of a school to be
in what

attached to the church

e augured f

that gentleman had stated that the day would not be very
far distant, and concluded by the scriptural quotation of
" Bow delightful it was for brethren to dwell together in

The Lord's Prayer was then offered up, and after the
blessing, 'a doxology being sung by all present, the as-
semblage dispersed, deeply impressed by the nature and
solemnity of the proceedings.

THE REPAST

After the ceremony, the clergy, the subscribers, and
many friends of the cause, retired to the large room, on
the green of the hotel, in which a substantial and superb
cold collation, with excellent wines, was prepared by Mr.
Parry. Dr. Byrth presided, and there were present from
fifty to sixty guests, including a few ladies. After the re-
past, the CHAIRMAN, in suitable terms, proposed the
health of her Majesty "The Queen," whom they had
been accustomed to call the temporal head of the church,
and he thought they would not be doing a loyal duty if
they did not drink the health of her and her Consort, with
her increasing family, and wish them all health arid
happiness. .

The toast was, as a matter of course, received with
great applause.
Tne CHAIRMAN, after stating that the warmest grati-
tude was due to many friends to the undertaking around
him, and that numerous pal ties who did not belong to the
towi.ship, and had no property in it, bad 1 berally contri-
buted, proposed, as the representative of those parties, the
health of Mr. Sands, who bad recently been chief magis-
trate of Liverpool. (Applause.)
Mr. SANDS said that, though living so near, be bad
seldom visited Seacombe. One of the occasions was on
the opening of the Wesleyan Chapel. He had great plea-
sure in hearing the reverend chairman say that the man
whom he should choose for the new church would be one
of the right principles ' • and be considered the appointment
perfectly sate in his hands. They had already drank to
the prosperity of the Constitution in the person of the
Queen, and he begged to propose " The Church," in con-
nexion with that of the reverend chairman, as being rec-
tor of the parish. (Cheers.)

The CHAIRMAN said there could be nothing more gra-
tifying to him than that such a toast should proceed from
the respected individual who had proposed it. The
Church was, he conceived, the greatest blessing that could
be bestowed on the people, and although he was not against
those who held a conscientious difference of opinion from
her forms. worshipping God in their own manner, he
hoped'and prayed that the Church would yet become suf-
ficiently comprehensive to take the whole of the pecple
into her bosom. (Hear.) The toast came most grace-
fully from the lips of him who had proposed it. It in-
volved an acknowledgment of the excellence of the Church
of England that a person of his influence and standing
should propose it, especially as he did not belong to their
communion. The Church consisted of Bishops, Priests
and Deacons, and also of the people. Upon an occasion
like this it was impossible to dilate, but there were func-
tionaries of the Church not to be pssed by, and since
brevity and r..pidity were the order of the day, he should
couple with the name of their worthy diocesan that of
their churchwarden. He proposed " The Bishop of Ches-
ter and Mr. Richard Parry." (Great applause.)
Mr. PARRY playfully said that he was placed by the
toast so kindly given in a situation quite novel. Ile was at
a loss to know whether he should return thanks on behalf
of the Bishop or himself, or both. The character of the
Bishop, which was beyond encomium, would be a suffi-
cient response as to that dignitary, without a word from
him (Mr. P). As to himself, God help him ! be was any-
thing but good specimen of a churchwarden, but he
could not but be encouraged and complimented by the high
though unmerited compliment which the toast conveyed.
(Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN said he was on all occasions ready to
testify to the high estimation of both of the churchwar-
dens, and proposed the health of the other, in his ab-
sence—Mr. George Grant. (Hear.)
The Rev. Mr. TOBIN said that with regard to the
church the foundation stone of which they had that day
laid, the want of it was so obvious that no one would be
more rejoiced to see it opened than himself. It had been
hinted to him it would have the effect of diminishing his
own congregation, but be threw all such consideration to
the wind. (Hear.) The rate of population in the town-
ship had doubled within the last few years, and the defi-
ciency of church accommodation must be supplied.
Fresh churches were required, especially for the sake of
the poorer portion of the people, and he trusted the call
made for that purpose would be responded to by all
cla'ses according to their means. (Hear, hear.)
The CHAIRMAN said that, after the broiling they had
that day endured under an almost vertical sun, he might
almost be excused if he had forgotten one toast, though
he was sure it was one in which they would all heartily
join. But though he had delayed it, be was not oblivious
of its propriety. He might first state that he had himself
heard it said that the building of the new church here
would interfere with his reverend friend's church of St.
John's, in Liscard ; but he entertained no such apprehen-
slop, and he called upon them to appreciate the noble,
disinterested, and magnanimous sentiments uttered by his
friend, which confirmed his own opinions on that point.
He concluded by proposing "The Ladies," a toast which,
we need scarcely say, was drunk with the greatest en-
thusiasm. The proposer playfully suggested that Mr.
Ripley, of Heath Bank, should respond.
The Rev. Chairman and his immediate friends then re-
tired, and the chair was occupied by the worthy host, Mr.
Parry. Several toasts were afterwards given and re-
sponded to, and an hour or two being passed in social
converse, the party broke up, delighted with the pro-
ceedings of the day.

THE ROYAL MERSEY YACHT CLUB.-FIRST
SAILING MATCH OF THY SEASON.

The first sailing match of the present year took place on
Friday last, and though the running vessels were few,
considering the large number of yachts belonging to the
club, the contest afforded great gratification to all who
beheld it. The fine steam-ship Iron Duke was engaged
for the members of the club and their friends to follow
the yachts, and she received on board a goodly assemblage
of ladies and gentlemen. The members of the club for the
most part appeared in their uniform—the officers wearing
their badges, imparting to the whole the appearance of an
assemblage of officers of the Royal Navy. The " Duke,"
with the commodore'il broad pendant floating at the main,
the club bargee at the fore, and the Club ensign at the
flag-staff, steamed rapidly up the river to the Rock Ferry,
from which the yachts were appointed to start. Mr.
Gribbin's band, with both wind and string instruments,
was on board, and enlivened the day's amusements by
playing a variety of airs, dances, &c., alternately on
various instruments. The day was beautifully fine,
with, in the forenoon, a light breeze from the south,
which afterwards freshened.
There were three prizes to be given by the club on this
occasion, for three classes of vessels. For the first-class
vessels under 35 tons, the prize was a massive and elegantly-
fashioned silver kettle, beautifully chased, on a four-footed
silver stand, with a silver spirit-lamp ; for the second-
class vessels, a large silver dessert or fruit basket, formed
of vine foliage and grapes, making the whole perforated ;
and for the third-class, under 15 tons, an elegrant Grecian
shaped claret jug, enriched with marine flowers and foli-
age,—all manufactured by our townsman, Mr. Wordley,
of Lord-street. For the second prize there were no en-
tries, the vessels of that class not being yet ready, and the
prize will consequently be run for hereafter.
. The yachts entered were, of the first class, the
Phoebe 32 tons.. Thomas Moss, Esq.
Leander 3l tons..
Leda.. 3l tons Wm. Troutbeck, Esq
Of the third-class, the
Gem 12 tons.
Peterel .
Harriette
Gleam..

.. Chas. Brandreth, Esq.
.. W. W. Shand, Esq.
.. H. Bridston, Esq.
:.John Simpson, Esq.

. ,
Owing to circumstances which th. o..ncre could not
'cot trol, the two last did not come up, and only five yachts
started ; but as the contest is generally between two of a
class, the match was scarcely less interesting than if more
had run, and as each vessel soon became readily known
from her distinguishing flag, there was no difficulty in re-
cognising them in their various mutations during the race.
The course was from the flag-boat, (the Snake schooner
yacht, belonging to J. Davenport, jun., of Beaumaris,)
moored off the Rock Ferry Hotel, through the Crosbie
and Victoria channels, round the Bell Buoy, (leaving it
on the port hand) and back again to the flag-boat. The
straight distance of this course is about 27 nautical miles,
but as the vessels had to beat up in returning, they pro-
bably sailed little short of, if not quite, 35 miles.
At ten minutes past eleven, the signal flag to prepare—for
which five minutes was given—was, by order of the Com-
modore, hoisted at the fore in the Iron Duke; at a quar-
ter past eleven the gun to start was fired, and the yachts,
which were placed in a line from the shore to '.he east-
ward, went away in gallant style, almost simultaneously,
before the wind, which was blowing gently from the south.
The Pecebe, however, immediately took the lead, and
maintained it throughout. She gradually gained dis-
tance opposite the town, and when abreast of the Rock
Light House, was about half a mile a-head of her nearest
competitor. The Leda and Leander kept close together;
and the Peterel and Gem were nearly lineable with
them, the former slightly in advance. The two first,
however, steered rather too close to the Rock, so
that they got out of the main strength of the
down-going tide, and the two little ones keeping
more in rnid channel, and favoured by the light wind,
and smooth sea, soon shot ahead of their two heavier com-
petitors, (though for a different prize,) and this advantage
they generally improved throughout the race. The two
of the two respective classes appeared to be well matched
in going before the wind, as they kept for a considerable
time, in running down the Crosbie Channel, almost stern
and stem. The same relative positions were maintained
down to the Crosbie Light Ship. In making for the
Formby Light Ship and the Bell Buoy, the wind veered
for a time to the south-we=t quarter and freshened, im-
pinging first upon the locality of the Phoebe, which stooped
to the breeze, and rained additional vantage ground. The
Leander (sailed by Mr. Grindrod) changed her large jib for
a smaller, near the last-named light-ship, in so smart and
seamanlike a manner that it was only by accident that the
operation was observed. Before reaching the outer point
of the course, the Phoebe (sailed by Mr. Moss) was ahead
of the then nearest yacht, the Peterel, at least a mile-and-
a-half. Thefollowing were the respective times of rounding
the Bell Buoy : _ _

Hour. Minutes. Seconds.

Phoebe
Peterel
Gem
Leda
Leander

1 .. 40
1 .. 40
1 .. 41
1 .. 42

The appearance of the vessel rushing cicTwn free, and af-
terwards beating home was truly magnificent, as seen
froin the decks of the Iron Duke. After leaving the Bell
Buoy. Mr. Ewart's fine yacht, the Edith, of 70 tons, was
met with, running down the Victoria
1st" SUltr

wards the oultana, (100 tons,) the elegant and powerfu,
yacht of Mr. R. C. Naylor, both belonging to the club,
but of too great tonnage to compete in this match. Both
are superb vessels, and were heartily cheered from the
steam-ship as they passed.
Alter leaving the Bell, the Phoebe made a long stretch
,towards the Crosbie shore, and had to make a tack to
reach the Formby Light-ship. The two smaller boats,
however, that were behind her—the Gem and Peterel—the
former of which had now got ahead of her competitor
soon after being close hauled, were favoured by a draught.
of wind more from the south-westward, and being enabled
to reach the Light-ship without tacking, gained greatly on
the Phoebe, esiecially the Gem. Here too, the Leander,
a fine stiff iron boar, whose best sailing is on a wind
gained through the increasing breeze upon the Leda, her
competitor of the same class, and eventually got a head of
her, so that the latter had afterwards no chance with her
in the contest.

During the race, and from about one o'clock, many of
the ladies and gentlemen on board the Iron Duke, excited
by the music of the band, amused themselves at intervals
by dancing the polka, quadrilles, waltzes, the mazouika,
&c., on the quarter-deck, in which the " fair," especially,
acquitted themselves with great ease and elegance. At
the same time, and throughout the whole afternoon, ex-
cellent and substantial cold collations were partaken of.
in four successive relays, in the main cabin. The wines were
also of the finest quality, and the champagne, hock, and
claret flowed abundantly, the whole cooled by a plentiful
supply of American ice. The entertainment was provided
by Mr. Gough, of the Woodside Hotel, and was served
as well as the comparatively contracted space for so large
a company would permit. We must say, however, that
some of the parties remained rather cruelly long in tLe
saloon, to the exclusion of many of their hungry ship-
mates on deck. The stewards and Captain Williams
were unremitting in their attention.
The beating up the ricer, which began before the tide
set up, was highly interesting, and much admirable sea-
manship was evinced by the sailors of the yachts. The
Gem kept gaining upon her immediate competitor the
f'eterel, which had rounded the Bell Buoy before her, and
kept her advantage to the close.
The Irun Duke ran rapidly up the river to the Rock