AN OLD CHURCH.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20498, 17 March 1932, Page 5

AN OLD CHURCH.

66 YEARS OF SERVICE. building at arowhenua to BE DEMOLISHED. After G6 years of continuous service as the centre of the spiritual life 1 of the Maoris of Arowhenua < Pa, near Temuka, the old wooden 'building of Holy Trinity, standing in the native cemetery grounds near to the recently opened new church, is to be placed in the hands of the house breakers.' This was decided at a public meeting of Maoris at Arowhenua last week, but so far no definite date for the commencement of the demolition has been decided. The oldest church building but one in South Canterbury, the story of its origin throws light on the early history of that part of the province. Spurred 'to indignation by the . alienation of their lands, the Maoris of the Temuka district listened sympathetically to the doctrines of the hau-haus of Taranajii, and it was to combat the growing element of disturbance that the early preachers redoubled their energy to keep the natives together. Out of the work of those early churchmen sprang the enthusiasm that was responsible for the raising of the money to build the church of Holy Trinity, Arowhenua. Of particular interest is the fact that part of the timber for the weather boarding of the church was sawn from trees growing little more than 100 yards from the site. Other portions of the timber were secured from Geraldine Bush, being sawn and carted by Mr G. Levens, now a veteran of 92, still living at Temuka. On August 29th,' 1886, the building was officially opened by the Rev. W. J. Stack, who was known to the Maoris affectionately as To Taka. Some years after it.was opened, the original structure was found to be too small and an addition of about ten feet square was made in the eastern end. Included'in the interior decoration is a frieze' consisting of a passago extending fight round the building and consisting of a passage from the Scriptures translated into Maori. Although very simple in design and plain in execution, the frieze is most effective.

Serving as links witlv the historical past of the church, several pieces of the furniture from the old building have been used in the equipment of the new church, iiiplucimg the altar railings, oraan. bell, altar vases, a Maori Prayer Book, and a Maori Bible.