The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new church to be erected at Salwayash, was performed yesterday by Mrs. Reeves, in the presence of a large concourse of spectators and amidst the most pleasurable surroundings. Salwayash forms part of the large parish of Netherbury, and for years formerly there has been a Chapel-of-Ease situate there, but of late years it has been used as a schoolroom. The new church, when completed, is intended to serve the purposes of Bowood as well as Salwayash, and in which there are about 500 parishioners. It will seat about 220 worshippers, and has been designed by Messrs. Crickmay and Sons, architects of Weymouth, and Westminster, London. It will occupy a commanding position on the brow of the hill, nearly opposite the school-room; the chancel window will overlook the main Bridport and Broadwiusor road, and from the West end a splendid view of the rich Marshwood valley can be obtained. On the south side a portion of the ground will be set apart as a burial place, from which there will be excellent drainage. The approach to the church will be by a short and gentle incline. The style of architecture which will be adopted will be modified Early English, and when completed it will have a neat and pretty appearance. The entrance will be from the South, and at the Western end there will be a small bell turret. The nave will be 52 feet and 3 inches long, and the chancel 27 feet wide. There will be central aisle, and the seats will be arranged on either side. The roof will be of pitch pine, and the seating of the body the church in the same material. The ceiling and the seats of the chancel will be walnut. The sacred edifice will be well lighted, and the windows will filled with tinted Cathedral glass. Waddon Hill stone with Ham dressings will used in the outer walls, and inside there will a casing of brick. The roof will be a tiled one. The church and burial ground will cover an acre of ground, and this has been purchased from the Barnicott family for £100. The Rev. W. Gildea, the esteemed rector of Netherbury, has been most indefatigable in the efforts he has made to thus meet the spiritual needs of the parish. The whole work is estimated to cost about £1,700, and Mr. Gildea has already secured contributions and promises of financial help to the extent of £1,200. Of this £100 each has been contributed by Lady Oglander and Lord Eldon; the sums of £50 each by the Bishop of the Diocese, Mr. and Mrs. R. Williams, jun., the Rev. W. and Mrs. Gildea, Mr. and Mrs. Fred. Gundry, £30; Mrs. Reeves, Major Groves, the Rev. M. Compton, Mrs. Cox, the Manor House, Beaminster. and others, £25 each. The farmers and others in the district have generously promised to do the haulage required at terms which are practically gratis, and in other ways Mr. Gildea has met with generous support. The rev. gentleman will practically be his own Clerk of the Works, and the work, which will not be let to contract, is expected to be completed about 12 months. At the ceremony yesterday afternoon the weather was gloriously fine, and there were numerous visitors from the surrounding districts. Among them we noticed Mrs. Reeve (Bournemouth), Mrs. Colfox, Mr. Peter Cox, Mr and Mrs. Jackson, Major and Mrs Groves, Colonel and Mrs. Spottiswoode (Beaminster), Dr. and Mrs. Webb, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, Mr. Ralph Gollop and Miss Gollop, Mr. and Mrs. Hardcastle (Woodlands, Beaminster), Mr. and Mrs. Blacker (Strode), Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gundry, Mr. Harold Gundry (Slape), Mr. Butcher, and Miss Butcher. Mr. J. L. Kitson, Mr R. F. Dampney, Mr. W. Macey, Mr. Lenthall, Mr. A. Tucker, Mr. and Mrs. Hussey (Pineapple), Mrs. Macey (Clenham), Mr. and Mrs. [sic]. The clergy and choristers and some of the other gentlemen met in the schoolroom and walked to the site in procession. The clergy present included the Rev. W. Gildea, the Hon. and Rev. Spring-Rice, of Dorchester, and formerly Rector of Netherbury, the Rev. S. S Keddle (Allington), the Rev. E. J. L. B. Henslowe (Bridport), the Rev. P. Compton (Mapperton), Rev. J. L. Templer (Burton Bradstock), the Rev. Mr. Wickham (Stoke Abbott), Rev. J. Jackson (Beaminster), Rev. C. Ll. Sanctuary, Rev. Mr. Taylor (curate of Beaminster). The choir, which was conducted by Mr. W. H. M. Dodd (organist of Netherbury), sang the well-known hymn, "The Church's one foundation" on the way to the site. The usual service for foundation stone laying was conducted most of the clergy named, under the guidance of the Rev. W. Gildea. The ceremony was performed Mrs. Reeve, and just before the stone was lowered into position Major Groves and Mr. E. R. Tucker, the churchwardens, placed two glass bottles in the cavity. One of these contained a copy of last week’s Bridport News, and the other copy, on parchment, of the names of the whole of the parishioners of the parish, the names of the children attending the schools, those of the clergy and officials of the parish, and the names of the workmen engaged on the work, together with one of the Jubilee four-shilling pieces. Mrs Reeves, having declared the stone well and duly laid, according to the prescribed fashion, the Rev. W. Gildea evoked the Divine blessing on the work, and protection from injury to those engaged in it. The hymn "The Lord of Hosts, whose glory fills." was then sung, and the ceremony completed by the Rector pronouncing the benediction. Mr. Gldea afterwards thanked the visitors for their attendance, and invited them to partake of tea, which was provided in the schoolroom - an invitation which many gladly accepted.