Snippet of Nelson history

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34132, 20 April 1976, Page 16

Snippet of Nelson history

(By

BARRY SIMPSON)

Trees have almost totally enclosed the “Church on the Hill,” so that only the observant, those seeking it out, or those with a historical bent are aware of this delightful little snippet of Nelson and New Zealand history at Wakefield, 17 miles from Nelson.

Early in its 130-year history, St John’s Church stood aloof on the hill, seen by believer and unbeliever alike, and filled on Sundays by several generations of adherents. Today, it stands, sentinellike and unmoved by the passage of time, over the graves of those who once worshipped in its austere yet intimate confines. The grounds, and the church itself, are redolent of the pioneers and the pioneering days. Galvanised hand-rails and a concrete path have not spoiled aesthetically the cemetery with its seemingly haphazard array of graves, headstones (or wooden headboards in some instances) and intricate iron railings, new harvest of autumn leaves and fruit from a prolific apple tree add to the tranquility and beauty of the church’s setting. The church is believed to be the second-oldest in New Zealand still in regular use, and the oldest in the South Island in that category. In October, it is planned to celebrate the one hundred and thirtieth year of its opening on October 11, 1846. The celebrations will be held at the week-end of October 9 and 10. Origins The origins of the church itself are better known than the reasons for the choice of name, the bestower of the name, or when it was given. It was first known as “the church at Waimea South” or “the church at Pitfure.” It is known that the site for it was given by the New Zealand Company, and that the church was built under the supervision of the supplier of most of the timber, Mr Edward Baigent, a name well-known in Australasian timber circles today. It cost $ll5 5s 9d. Edward Baigent, with the first vicar, the Rev. C. L. Reay, are recognised as the founders of the church. Mr Baigent, his wife, and family of six children arrived at Nelson from Surrey in the

Clifford in 1843. A wheelright, he brought with him timber-milling and grain-grinding machinery. As well as being a regular worshipper at St John’s, Mr Baigent became a member of the Nelson Provincial Council, as representative for Waimea South, from 1853 tc 1876, the entire period of the council’s life. He went on to represent Waimea in Parliament from 1867 to 1870 and from 187679. fie died in 1892, at the age cf 79. Mr Reay left England with s Bishop Selwyn in December, s 1841, and was appointed Minister in Charge of Nelson. He travelled extensively in the province and one of; the churches he saw built was at Wakefield, before he went to Auckland in 1847, where he died the next year. Extensions | Originally, the church had i a nave of 27ft and a chancell of 9ft, all well-buttressed | with heavy totara and! roofed with wooden shingles. Within 19 years, it had become too small and was I extended in 1866. A vestry was added in 1870, and in 1887 the last structural alteration was made with the extension of the chancel to its present size. In 1892, the gable was lined and iron ties were used to strengthen the building. The timber interior remains today as it was when the church was first built. None of the interior walls or ceilings have been varnished or painted. Indeed, those closely associated with the i church will point to the claw marks of a cat, still clearly discernible, on timber on the ceiling above the choir seat. St John’s, too, has a close association with the early education of children in the area. Mrs Baigent was the teacher of her own and a number of other children, until the numbers grew so : large that they outgrew the accommodation of the Baigent home. The work was taken over by Mr J. T. Smith. A cob building, below the present Sunday School hall, Was his first schoolroom. In this, for £l2 10s a year, paid by the church, Mr Smith gave Wakefield children their first lessons. 21 vicars In its 130 years history, the church has had 21 vicars. They are: Mr Reay: the Revs H. F. Butt (1847-55); T. A. Bowden (1856-58); S. Poole (1858-63); W. Bird (18641; E. Tripp (1864-68); C. O. Mules (1868-

74): c. Moon (1874-80); W.l St Clair Tisdall (1882-84); W. G. Baker (1884-90); H. M. B. Marshall (1890-91); C. W. Jennings (1890-1900); W. S. Lucas (1900-04); O. R. Hewlett (1904-13); J. R. Dart (1913-25); T. J. Smith (192538); F. J. Daynes (1938-51); W. a. Beaumont (1953-57); R. H. Dalby (1957-66); P. Kirkham (1966-71). Canon B. J. Machell has been vicar since 1971. The celebrations planned

at this stage include a garden party in the grounds of Mr and Mrs J. Closs, just below the church, and the vicarage, on October 9, and a dinner in the evening. A service is planned for Sunday morning, on the 10th at which children will sing a poem written by Mrs C. F. Gibbs on the church. The Bishop of Nelson (the Rt Rev. P. E. Sutton) will preach the sermon. Holy Communion will be given at

an evening service. The Sunday afternoon, will be free. Former parishioners now living outside Wakefield who might wish to attend the celebrations are asked to get in touch with the secretary’ of the organising committee, Mr C. F. Gibbs, Gibbs Valley, Wakefield. The committee also seeks items of historical significance about the church and Wakefield, for display during the celebrations.