TE AWAMUTU CENTENARY.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 24, Issue 8, 1 August 1934, Page 6

TE AWAMUTU CENTENARY.

Sir, — May I make an appeal through your paper for interest m and support of the Centenary of St. Jonn's Parish, Te Awamutu. This Parish was founded by the Rev. W. "Williams on August 23rd, 1834. He landed at Mangapouri, seven miles from Te Awamutu, purchased land from the local natives and prepared accommodation for the incoming Missionaries, Messrs. Morgan, H.amlin and Stack. Owing to Maori disturbances the Mission was abandoned by the Missionaries m September, 1836. Local Natives kept alive Christianity m this district under the supervision of the Rev. B. T. Ashwell. In February, 1842, John Morgan returned to re-open the station, this time at Otawao (Te Awamutu). During the next twenty years the district was: consolidated and Churches were built at Te Awamutu and Rangfaohia. St. John's Church, Te Awamutu, was dedi-

cated on Good Friday, 1854, by the Veil. Archdeacon Abraham, and St. Paul's Church, Rangiaohia, later m the same year. Each Church possesses a magnificent stained glass window. That m St. John's Church is supposed to have been presented by Queen Victoria and Lady Burdett Coutts is thought to have given the one m Rahgiaohia. At the beginning of the Maori War Rewi Maniapoto was anxious to sack this placee. A Maori woman, the sister of Te Whero Whero (Potatau) placed makutu, or Maori magic, on the ■Church and its surroundings and threatened Rewi with dire penalties should he molest them m any form. This action of Te Whero Whero's sister proved the saving of the station. The Church has passed through turbulent times, as is evinced by bullet holes m the windows. In the Maori War days the present St. John's Church was used by all •denominations for services, as our records show, and to those who have associations with this district, and also to those who are interested m historic New Zealand, we appeal for assistance to help us to renovate these historic Churches, which have been "handed down to us, heirlooms that must be preserved intact for posterity. At a recent Parish Meeting a Committee was elected to make arrangements for the forthcoming Centenary. The object of the Committee is to raise by means of voluntary donations the sum of £1000 for the preservation of these Churches, and m making this appeal we feel confident that members of all Church denominations throughout the Dominion will be vitally interested. The Centenary celebrations m August will be attended by His Grace the Archbishop, the Bishop of Waiapu (grandson of our founder), the Bishop of Abtearoa, and the Bishop of this Diocese. Fuller details will be gladly supplied upon request. Signed on behalf of the Centenary 'Committee. STEPHEN R. WAREING, M.A., Vicar. H. WORTHINGTON, Secretary and Treasurer.