Country Churches of NZ 66. St. Mary's, Upokongaro, Wanganui

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 MARY'S, UPOKONGARO

'Sullen sky. Upstream from Wanganui. Pleasing interior with diagonal rimu timber planking. Stained glass in every window. Many memorials to Montgomery/Montgomerie family. Triangular spire. Lych gate, added later, ruins a clear view of the church.' (SKETCHBOOK 29/03/01)

I drew St Mary's, Upokongaro, from two angles because the fragile refinement of the tower contrasts so markedly with the solidity of the nave.

The triangular spire is a delight - from some angles it looks askew. Maybe a mischievous trompe l'oeil was in architect Edward C. Morgan's mind.

It was opened on 11 November 1877 having taken less than a year to build.
As for the lych gate, I simply left it out.

© DON DONOVAN
donovan@ihug.co.nz

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