RUSSELL CHURCH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22344, 15 February 1936, Page 17

RUSSELL CHURCH

Sir, —As far back as last October I made a protest in your columns against the scheme for mutilating the centuryold church at Russell, but there was scarcely any visible result. I am really glad that others have now come forward in the same cause, but it is disheartening to find that this most illadvised —one might almost say vandalistic—proposal has the full weight of the diocesan authorities behind it. The church was built in the reign of William IV., and though altered somewhat at times and neglected at others it is still an intact specimen of early missionary architecture. Quite apart from its historical associations with Captain Hobson and the burning of Kororareka, Henry and William Williams must often have ministered the Word and sacraments within its walls, ts it too much to ask that this humble building, which still preserves the atmosphere of their day, should be repaired and saved from unwanted "improvement"? The idea that the "fast decaying" church must necessarily fall to pieces before long is a complete fallacy. The building is in much better order than was the Waitangi Residency before two very able architects and an equally able builder took it in hand. The same men, beyond the least doubt, could make the church just as secure for posterity. In other lands much older timber buildings are being successfully preserved. I personally know the research, study and thought which the two architects put into the Waitangi Residency. If the same skill and labour were used upon the Russell church the result would be historically accurate and satisfying to artistic taste and religious sentiment. Historicus.