Agassiz were both Priested by Bishop Hibbert Binney.

Consecration of the Cathedral for Prince Edward Island.

The feast day of St. Peter was chosen as the fitting occasion for a special service consecrating St. Peter’s Church as the Cathedral for Prince Edward Island. The service was held in June of 1879, the initial debt incurred during the construction phase having been successfully removed. Bishop Binney planned his trip enabling him to be present to hold a service of Confirmation on the evening prior to the scheduled service. The consecration ceremony was an impressive one. Bishop Binney, accompanied by the Reverend Dr. Maynard and the Reverend Dr. Jarvis, entered the building through the main door of the church at 11:00 am. They were met by the Reverend George W. Hodgson, the Wardens, Mr. E.J. Hodgson (who acted as Chancellor), and the Choir. The Church Warden, Mr. T.H. Haviland, formally stated that the Church had been relieved of financial encumbrances, and desired that it should be consecrated to the service of God.

The Bishop complied with the request and proceeded with the consecration of the Cathedral Church and the signing of the deed of consecration following an address explaining to those present the meaning and intent of the rite. Bishop Binney then directed Father Hodgson to register the deed in the Registry Office of the Diocese, and the service proceeded as a regular Eucharist.

In the ten year period between completion of construction on the Church building and the service of consecration, a number of additions to the church had been completed which had altered and enhanced its appearance. Many of these renovations were noted in an article describing the appearance of the Cathedral building which appeared in The Examiner on June 30th.

The interior of St. Peter’s Church. has undergone a complete change in appearance. Inside it is now perhaps the most handsomely finished church in the city. The rough framing of the beams and rafters in the roof has been nicely ceiled with narrow boards of a uniform width, and its openings in the framework filled in with tracery. An interior ceiling, formed of narrow boards and light framework, has been constructed within the old roof - thus considerably lowering the original outline of air space. It is expected that this alteration will result in giving more comfort in the winter season, as the quantity of air to be heated will be less than formerly. The acoustic properties of the building are greatly improved by the new ceiling, which has the same effect as a sounding board. The whole of the interior walls and roof have been painted in oil, the nave furnished in light colors, and the chancel in stronger and deeper tints. A new arrangement of the gas jets on the walls immediately

69