Country Churches of NZ 51. Stone Church, Pakipaki, HawkesBay

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.

STONE CHURCH, PAKIPAKI

The Stone Church at Pakipaki, near Hastings, is a virtual mystery to me. Try as I might, I have been unable to get information about it. Its design is unusual; its materials are substantial.

Inside it is stark, apart from the fleur-de-lis carpet common to many churches of various Christian denominations throughout New Zealand (a Feltex Carpet Company standard, I believe).

The entrance gates have a tablet inscribed with: '... erected 16 June 1923 to the memory of Pakeha and Maori soldiers who gave up their lives for God, King and Country in 1914-1918'. This is puzzling. What was erected in one day? Can one assume the church was finished/consecrated that day?

© DON DONOVAN
donovan@ihug.co.nz
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