THE TURAKINA CHAPEL

Te Ao Hou, July 1956, Page 37

Formal opening of the chapel. THE TURAKINA CHAPEL Photographed by the Publicity Committee of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. Some of the finest Maori decoration of modern times has been made for churches and chapels. Well-known are the buildings at Rotorua, Wanganui, Otaki, Ruatoki and Tikitiki. They show how artistic traditions originating in the stone-age found their place in the worship of the new religion, Christianity. Because Christianity is preached as a universal religion, every race can express its worship in its own language and its own art. The latest place of worship decorated with Maori carving, tukutuku and kowhaiwhai is the new chapel at Turakina Maori Girls' College. This is the first chapel built by the Presbyterian Church in this style.

The chapel window. Pupil of Turakina College. It has sincerity, simplicity and at the same time a warmth and richness always typical of Maori interiors. Like the other Maori churches, the outside has no Maori features. The structure too is European. The fine tukutuku panels in the chapel are the girls' own work although some expert crafts-women of the district helped them. It was started in 1943 when the Rt Rev J. G. Laughton laid the foundation stone. The carving was done by a party from the Bay of Plenty, led by Barney Rangitauira of Waiohau. The figure work is very vivid and expressive in places.