Country Churches of NZ 139. St. George's, Motupiko, Tasman

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. GEORGE'S, MOTUPIKO

It would be easy to miss St. George's at Motupiko because it's concealed behind high trees on the road between Murchison and the sunny good lands of Tasman Bay.

I think it among the prettier of the churches I've painted, probably because the architect, Stead Ellis, incorporated some window, bargeboard and buttress detail that takes it beyond the ordinary.

It must have looked superb with its original shingle roof. It's Anglican despite the corbels of its window hood-mouldings bearing the St. Andrew's crosses more associated with Presbyterianism.

It was consecrated on 30 September 1892.

© DON DONOVAN
donovan@ihug.co.nz
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