A benefactor of Tai Tapu

Press, 11 October 1982, Page 14

A benefactor of Tai Tapu

Property reporter When Tai Tapu's Anglican parishioners celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of their church on November 7, they will remember the generosity of Sir Heaton Rhodes. As a plaque in the foyer records, he present&d the building to the parish in memory of his wife. It was “a gift of love." The vestry decided in 1929 that the original wooden church, built in 1877, needed replacing as the cost of maintaining it had become prohibitive. Later that year Lady Hea-ton-Rhodes died. Sir Heaton, a local farmer of standing and a member of the vestry since 1896, announced at a meeting in April. 1930, that he would be happy to provide the parish with a new church, to commemorate her. Just five months later, the foundation stone was laid, on Lady Rhodes' birthday. September 26. The new church was consecrated on January 25. 1931 - the feast day of St Paul, to whom the building was dedicated. Although the

church seats more than 100. the attendance at the consecration ceremony was so large that half of the congregation had to stay outside. Designed by a Christchurch architect. Cecil Wood, the church was built by local craftsmen. Much of the stone used in the walls was quarried in the Tai Tapu area, some of it on Sir Heaton’s ' property. Inset into the northern wall inside the church is an acanthus leaf carving from one of the piers supporting the dome of St Paul's, London. Facing it, on the south wall, is a flintstone fragment from St Patrick's Cathedral. Dublin, which was built in the thirteenth century. The church contains three stained-glass windows. Two of them were given by Sir Heaton in memory of the soldiers who died in World War I. The third was a gift from the parishioners. Sir Heaton also gave a big block of land, the income from which is sufficient to maintain the church and grounds. Sir Heaton Rhodes died in 1956. In the 19705, a plaque

was erected by the parish in his honour. The church-warden. Mr B. Sisson, explained the timelapse. He said that "a small cubby hole" was noticed on the wall opposite the plaque commemorating Lady Rhodes, but for some the intention of it had not been recognised.

The parish will mark the anniversary with a buffet meal in the village library which was also built by Sir Heaton - followed by evensong. . Anvone interested tn attending the celebrations should get in touch with Mr Sisson. Box 20, Tai Tapu. in advance.