beautiful Church is Work

of Dutch Priest

>se photos are of a new Catholic church ikwa, Malaita, BSIP, which was built by Rev. Fr. Jan v. d. Riet, SM, and was nly blessed recently by Bishop J. M. , SM, DD, CBE, Ch.d.H. This new church leen remarkably well constructed, and a praiseworthy feature is the extensive use jhout of black and white native-style lentation. wa is in a comparatively isolated area but seven Europeans (a District Officer (ix missionaries). The materials for the i were brought into the Takwa lagoon considerable difficulty. Then Father van let, a Dutchman, designed and built '■his i virtually single-handed. Skilled labour lot to hand, although one of the Father's helpers could be classified as semi- I. In all phases of construction the ahead had to be envisaged and later carefully supervised by the young nary. Tools and equipment were often g and that slowed up the work. Yet, e other missionary work and other il responsibilities, the church was com in a little over 18 months. The finished i gives some idea of the character, re , industry, and the inherent ability of chitect and builder. Most of the native patterns were designed by him, as he that, unaided, the local natives were erratic and that their repertoire of is was very limited. rly 3,000 natives were there for the ig of the church.