Country Churches of NZ 90. St. Luke's, Little Akaloa, Banks Peninsula

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. LUKE'S, LITTLE AKALOA

'On a knoll entirely surrounded by oaks and rhododendrons. Whisper of leaves and sea. Tuis calling. Church built 1906 but graves older. Oldest I can find is 1891. Wonderfully done inside. Superb marriage of English and Maori Anglican.' (SKETCHBOOK NOTE)

St Luke's at Little Akaloa - a bay on Banks Peninsula - was financed by funds collected in the early 1900s from as far away as England.

But one man contributed more than any other: J.H. Menzies, who not only made handsome donations but also designed and built the church, carved its Mt. Somers stone font and altar, gave all of the furnishings and executed the rich Maori carvings and decorations of the interior. Even the ceiling boards are carved to look like raupo thatch as it would be seen from the inside.

© DON DONOVAN 
donovan@ihug.co.nz
.