FROM OLD TO NEW

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23806, 12 May 1939, Page 4

FROM OLD TO NEW

A CHURCH AND ITS VICAR QUEENSTOWN’S “BABY CATHEDRAL” INTERESTING ASSOCIATIONS One of the most beautiful churches in New Zealand is the Queenstown Anglican Church, which was the gift of one man—Captain Hicks, who was a well-know personality of the holiday resort in days gone by. The church has earned the sobriquet of the “Baby Cathedral,” partly because of its great beauty and quiet dignity and partly because it is as well equipped as a cathedral. It is one of the few country churches to possess a pipe organ and it is not lacking in any appointment found in a city cathedral. Interesting Associations Built of rough grey stone to; a most attractive design, the church stands almost on the site where the old church stood. The old building has been removed to Omakau where it has been rebuilt, and is being plastered over. The setting for the “Baby Cathedral", was, therefore, ready-made and the church stands among stately trees with the beautiful scenery of Lake Wakatipu as a background. Every detail from the liche-gate to the greywracke tower is almost perfect. Inside, the appointments are m keeping with the beauty of . the building and many Have historic associations. For example, there is a lectern that was carved by a Chinese Christian in the early days of the settlement. No one in Queenstown seems to know whq did the remarkalbe piece’ of cgiwing or why it was done, but it'is a work of great beauty. It is a . large eagle with wings outstretched'to hold the Bible, and it must have taken a considerable time to complete. There are other notable pieces of carving in the church. £ r< From Oldest Vicarage ;; The vicar, the Rev. J. C Fussell* who came from one of the oldest churches in New Zealand to one ttf the youngest, has many interesting stories to tell of Waimaie North where he lived in the oldest vicarage in New Zealand. It was built 106 years ago of heart kauri and at one time Bishop Selwyn lived in it The registers in the church, which is the second oldest in the Dominion, go back to 1815 and contain the signature of Samuel Marsden. It was the first inland mission established in the Dominion and Marsden chose the site himself. Actually there is no town at Waimate North but there are numerous church-goers in the district and services for Maoris and Europeans are well attended. The old church was originally built by newly-conyerted Maori youths who had been taught rough carpentry by the missionaries. Since then it has been twice rebuilt but each time the old timber has been used for even now the kauri is as sound as when first used. , Vicarage That Was Tapu Stories connected with the old vicarage abound, Mr Fussell told an Otago Daily Times reporter. The building was tapu with the Maoris, and no matter what war was on the vicarage was safe from both sides. Hone Heke and his warlike Nsanuhis respected it during.all their fighting and the missionaries could always trust them never to harm it or anyone inside it. Often members of enemy tribes would be in the old house at the same time but the truce was respected without exception. > ! On one occasion Hone Heke was deeply offended when he heard that all the women and children at the mission station were being taken to a safer place during one of ,$p Maori wars He went to the mission house to protest at the lack of trust the missionaries had shown In him and to assure them that all at the station would be safe from harm. It was not until he was told that it was only in case he were killed and someone less friendly were appointed in his stead that he wan mollified 1 ' ■ Hone and his warriors looked upon fighting as a sport and the old chief would never allow his followers to attack a British-ammuni-tion wagon or food convoys. How could the enemy be expected to fight without food and ammuntioh? he would ask He was very chivalrous in war anjl vet defeat came to him at the hands of the British by a discreditable surprise attatek when the Marois were at prayer on a Sunday mom in g. "English tourists did not think much of the fact that the vicarage was the oldest in New Mr Fussell said. “ but I told them it had one special claim, to fame that all their centuries-old churches did not possess Tt was actually built on foreign soil for New Zealand did not become a British colony until 1840 They were forced to take interest in that feature.”