HISTORIC PARISH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21834, 23 June 1934, Page 8

HISTORIC PARISH

TE AWAMTJTU CENTENAKY,

CELEBRATION IN AUGUST RESTORATION OF CHURCHES The centenary of St. John's parish, To A wain ntu, - which was founded by the Rev. W. Williams 111 18-34, and'has many historic associations, will be celebrated in August. The celebrations will be attended by Archbishop Averill, Bishop Williams, of Waiapu, grandson of the founder, Bishop Bennett, of Aotearoa, and Bishop Cherrington, of Waikato. A brief history of the parish is contained in a letter received from the vicar, the Rev. S. R. Wareing, and the secretary and treasurer, .Mr. H. Worthington. The letter states that Mr. Williams, who founded the parish on August 23, 1834, landed at Mangapouri, seven miles from Te Awamutu, purchased land from the local natives, and prepared accommodation for the incoming missionaries, Messrs. Morgan, Hamlin and Stack. Owing to Maori disturbances the mission was abandoned by the missionaries in September, 1836. Local natives kept alive Christianity in the district under the supervision of the Rev. B. T. Ashwell. In February, 1842, John Morgan returned to reopen the station, this time at Otaw'ao, Te Awamutu. During the next 20 years the district was consolidated and churches were built at Te Awamutu and Rangiaohia. St. John's Church, Te Awamutu, was dedicated on Good Friday, 1854, by the Ven. Archdeacon Abraham, and St. Paul's Church, Rangiaohia, 'te.ter in the same year. Each church possesses a magnificent stained-glass window. That in St. John's Church is supposed to have been presented by Queen Victoria, and Lady Burdett Coutts is thought to have given the one in Rangiaohia. At the beginning of the Maori War Rewi Maniapoto was anxious to sack this place. A Maori woman, the sister of Te Whero Whero (Potatau) placed "fnakutu" or "black magic" on the church and its suiToundings, and threatened Rewi witli dire penalties should he molest than in any form. This action of Te Whe.ro Whero's sister proved the saving of the station. The church has passed through turbulent times, as is evinced by. bullet holes in the windows. In the Maori War days the present St. John's Church was used by all denominations for services. An appeal is niadtf to all who have associations with the district, and to those who are interested in the history of New Zealand, for assistance in having the churches renovated. A. committee has been formed to make arrangements for the centenary, and to endeavour to raise £IOOO by voluntary donations for the preservation of th>3 churches.