I wrote and illustrated Country Churches of New Zealand. It was published in 2002 by New Holland, Publishers and is still on sale in bookshops. The publishers have kindly agreed to me re-publishing some of the book’s images and descriptions in this blog.
ORUAITI CHAPEL, WHANGAREI
Completely out of place on its concrete pad in the grounds of Whangarei Museum, tiny Oruaiti Chapel was first built near Mangonui Harbour in 1861 and was only accessible by water. It was moved a short distance to be closer to a road in 1936, then to a Methodist site in Kamo Road, Whangarei in 1946, and finally to the museum in 1975.
Originally thatched, it was first shingled in 1866, re-shingled in kauri in 1919, and again, later, in cedar, only to be re-roofed in cedar once more in 1990.
Its charm is in its shape which owes itself to Thomas Ball, an early immigrant who copied the pattern of Lincolnshire octagonal chapels where Wesleyans could gather in 'preaching houses' - which in no way resembled traditional churches - and there do their own thing.
© DON DONOVAN
donovan@ihug.co.nz
.
No comments:
Post a Comment