Country Churches of NZ 59. St. Francis's, Kahutara, South Wairarapa

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 FRANCIS'S, KAHUTARA

By the time I reached St Francis's church the early autumn rain had crossed the Rimutaka ranges and had reached Kahutara, just south of Featherston.

I was pleased enough to shelter briefly in the unusually square nave whose wooden walls exuded the musky smell of linseed oil.

Built in 1882 at Morrison's Bush, the church was moved to its present site - donated by John Bidwill - in 1961 and dedicated for the joint use of Anglicans, Methodists and Presbyterians. At £400 the move cost twice as much as the original building - there's inflation.

© DON DONOVAN
donovan@ihug.co.nz
.