OLD SELWYN CHURCH.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 24 August 1931, Page 5

OLD SELWYN CHURCH.

ST. BRIDE’S AT MAUKU. SEVENTIETH ANNIVERSARY. FORTRESS IN MAORI WARS. The picturesque an<t historic Selwyn Church of St. Bride’s at Mauku, which was built over 70 years ago, lias just been renovated, including the replacement of shingles which have been on the building for 34 years. Having been split from heart of kauri they are still in a wonderful state of preservation, and, excepting where exposed to the weather, are as sound as when put on in 1897. The exposed portions are weatherworn right through and as the nails had rusted, allowing the shingles to fall, it was decided to strip and reshingle the whole of the roof. Considerable difficulty was experienced in getting shingles, but finally a very fine line of heart totara shingles was .secured. The church vestry was fortunate in securing the services of Mr Farrelly, of Waiuku, who is an old hand at the work, with the result that a very creditable and highly satisfactory job has been carefully completed. ORIGIN OF THE CHURCH. The history of the church dates back to 1859, when it was decided by the setters at Mauku to build a church, and Bishop Selwyn was instrumental in getting a section of three acres set aside for the purpose. The following gentlemen may be said to be the founders of the work;—The Rev. A. G. Purchas, Major Speedy, Mr S. C. G. Vickers, Dr. Giles and Mr Joseph Crispe. The Rev. A. G. Purchas was architect and so well did he perform the work that after iweatherign storms of over 79 years the building is still stable and sound. The structure is a very striking testimony to the durability of New Zealand timbers. The total cost originally was £325 and the timber used, Utara and rirnu, was pit-sawn in the bush near the site of the church, TROUBLE WITH THE MAORIS.

The opening service was held on July 14, 1861, and was conducted by the Rev. A. G. Purchas, who made regular visits to Mauku and surrounding districts. .The church had not been used as a place of worship fpr more than 18 months before the native disturbances broke out. The building was then used first as a place of safety for the women and children of the district and later as a stockade for the soldiers. Some very anxious times were spent inside the building until the women and children were transferred safely to Auckland. The church was then palisaded, heavy logs being placed all around the walls, and loopholes were cut for rifles. These loopholes are still to be seen in the main walls today.

There were at one time as many as 600 men camped in and around the church, including local volunteers and detachments of the 14th, 18th, 50th, 65th, 68th and 70th Imperial R-egi-ments, who were serving in New Zealand.

The foregoing reference to an historic church is from an Auckland paper. It has some local interest, for the Mr S. C. G. Vickers referred to as one of the foundation members was the father of Messrs H.' G. and W. G. Vickers, of Levin, and Mr H. G, Vickers was baptised in St. Bride’s by Bishop Selwyn himself. When the church was used later as a stockade during native troubles, both Mr Vickers, senr., and Mr Capper, father of Mr W. Capper, of Levin, were included in the garrison, and served throughout the disturbed period.