Country Churches of NZ 24. St. Mary on the Hill, Pokeno, Waikato

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.

 ST MARY ON THE HILL. POKENO

On many occasions, taking that dangerous road at the foot of the Bombay Hills that weaves towards distant Coromandel, I've driven past the charming Anglican St Mary on the Hill, Pokeno, where it stands proudly like a story-book church.

It was given by Harriett Johnstone to the people of Pokeno, a town which, when she arrived from England in 1892, was the gateway to Auckland from the Waikato.

The church's warm, dark wood interior and a fine 'faith, hope and charity' triptych west window - given by Harriett Johnstone in 1910 give it a restful atmosphere.

Tapestry by local needleworkers

The church was consecrated by Archbishop Cowie on Sunday, 25 March 1900. The architect was Ed Bartley and the builder A. Vinson.

© DON DONOVAN

donovan@ihug.co.nz
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