Country Churches of NZ 43. Matawhero Church, Gisborne

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.

MATAWHERO CHURCH, GISBORNE

Matawhero Presbyterian Church has such a rich history that I could sense old spirits as I sat painting in the small, still churchyard.

It was built as a schoolroom in 1865, reputedly by Captain G E Read. Before the Presbyterians took it over in 1872, it had served also as an Anglican church and a hospital during the Hau Hau battles of 1868.

It was the centre of an army encampment in March 1870 and was the only building in the area to survive the Poverty Bay massacre by Te Kooti and his followers in the early hours of 10 November 1868.

Transeptal porches were added in 1880 and a rear porch in 1901 when the kauri shingle roof was replaced with iron. The bell tower was erected and the bell hung in 1904.

© DON DONOVAN 

donovan@ihug.co.nz
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