Country Churches of NZ 60. Burnside Church, Kohunui, 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.

BURNSIDE CHURCH, KOHUNUI

'Unusual spire looks as if it was riveted in a Clydeside shipyard. Lonely church on the wide, barley-coloured south Wairarapa lake plain. Nor'wester gusting up; over distant Rimutaka ranges the glint of late sun is veiled as rain spills east.' (Sketchbook note 26/3/01)

Born Presbyterian but latterly used also by Anglicans and Catholics, Burnside Church, Kohunui, was designed by John King of Masterton and built in 1875 for £250 by James Tweedale on land donated by Donald Sinclair.

An iron roof replaced shingles early last century, when a new ceiling had also to be installed because the roofers had banged their nails clean though the old one!

© DON DONOVAN
donovan@ihug.co.nz
.