About Wairarapa Churches

Wairarapa Churches is an attempt to record the many little rural churches that dot the Wairarapa. It combines photography, a bit of history and each church's current use and contact details.

These churches in this blog have been, and remain, integral to many rural communities: where babies were baptised, couples married and funerals held, where a successful harvest was celebrated, along with Easter and Christmas, and a monthly (weather permitting) visit from a rural vicar or minister to lead worship was looked forward to.

Some of these churches are no longer used for regular worship but remain a focal point of a rural community.

Additional information on any of the churches on this blog would be welcomed.

Contact author Caryl Forrest using the contact form

St Anthony of Padua, Martinborough

The beautiful lines of St Anthony of Padua, the Catholic church in Martinborough. This view, from the western end of the church (also known liturgically as the "east end") shows the sanctuary. The southern side of St Anthony's, showing the attractive shaped nave windows and buttresses. A view of the church from Princess Street. A pair of nave windows. The stained glass windows underneath (just visible at the bottom of the picture) are covered by a clear protective layer. The northern side of the nave. Attractive tiles on the vestry roof are just visible. View of the church from the north-western corner, showing the vestry and sanctuary. History The first Catholic Church in Martinborough The Evening Post of 5 November 1894 carries an advertisement calling for tenders for a new Catholic church in Martinborough: TENDERS. GEO. K. BOND, Architect, Perry-street, Masterton, invites Tenders up to 12 noon of Monday, ...

Norwegian Methodist Church, Mauriceville North

The Norwegian Methodist Church sits on a hill above North Road, in Mauriceville North . It has a Category 1 Heritage New Zealand listing: Number 204 .

St Francis of Assisi, Bideford

St Francis, from the eastern side of the churchyard The Church of St Francis of Assisi sits on a terrace, high above the Tauweru River . It was built in 1875, on land donated in 1878 to the Church of England by David Carman , a former owner of parts of Bowlands. It has a Category II heritage listing, register number 1285 . It sits on Pt Sec 108 Whareama Block (RT WN330/43), Wellington Land District

Wairarapa Churches

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