AN HISTORIC CHURCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27569, 11 December 1950, Page 6

AN HISTORIC CHURCH

Sir, —The fate of the Anglican Christ Church, Taita, built in 1845, hangs in the balance. This fine old church, built of pit-sawn totara, may be shifted unless revenue is forthcoming to maintain the church and the historic graveyard which surrounds it. It is the second oldest church in New Zealand. What finer national memorial could be found to those pioneers who laid the foundations of our nation? They provided the withal to build this church; now it is up to us to provide the withal to make it a national memorial. To achieve this object, a Christ Church Preservation Association will be formed at a further general meeting early in February next. A Provisional Committee consisting of Mrs M. C. Ronnirtg, Messrs W. J. Sim, K.C., B. V. Cooksley, M.P., W. T. Strand (a former Mayor of Lower Hutt), C. J. Freeman (secretary of the Early Settlers’ and Historical Association) and myself as convener has been set up'. Donations may be forwarded now to me, care of P.O. Box 100, Lower Hutt. The piorieers have done their task; now we must accomplish ours, that of establishing a trust fund to maintain the church and its settings for future generations as yet unborn.—l am, etc., Geo. Hooper. , Lower Hutt, 8/12/50.