Country Churches of NZ 53. Church of the Good Shepherd, Tinui, 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.

THE CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD, TINUI

The Church of the Good Shepherd,Tinui, while often described as a 'Clere' church was designed by John Swan, who worked with Frederick de Jersey Clere and who obviously absorbed his style hence the noble belfry.
 
The church was built in 1902.

My visit was on 26 March 2001 when I made this note: 'Inner door of studded red felt a little threadbare but imposing. Smell of incense, warm and welcoming. Walls hold many small, brass commemorative plaques. Fleur-de-lis carpet (all over New Zealand there are churches with Feltex fleur-de-lis patterned carpets; the device represents the trinity - as do trefoil carvings, windows and tapestries).
‘The lych gate plaque reads: "This lych gate was erected in 1983 by the descendants of Edward Swartz, Robert and John Frederick sons of archdeacon Robert Maunsell who took up Tinui Station in 1859. "'

© DON DONOVAN

donovan@ihug.co.nz
.

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
.