The Rev. Wera Couch speaking during the Saturday evening banquet. At his left are Queen Te Atairangikaahau and Mr Whatumoana Paki Rapaki Church Centennial The centenary celebrations of the historic church at Rapaki, Lyttelton, were held during the weekend 3–4 May. Distinguished guests were welcomed to the marae on Saturday morning, and after a relaxing afternoon, sat down to a magnificent banquet in the evening. Guests of honour were Queen Te Atairangikaahu and her husband Mr Whatumoana Paki, accompanied by a large party from Waikato. Three local members of Parliament, Mr N. Kirk, Mrs W. Tirikatene-Sullivan and Mr H. J. Walker, the Mayor of Lyttelton, Mr J. B. Collett, the chairman and councillors of the Mount Herbert County Council, and representatives of local churches were among the 500 who attended. The Bishop of Aotearoa, the Rt Rev. Manu Bennett, also called at the marae. After the meal, speeches and entertainment went on for three hours, many paying tribute to the work of those living at Rapaki, and recalling events of past days. Two services were held on Sunday, one of ‘Thanksgiving and Re-Dedication’ at 10 a.m., and another of ‘Remembrance and Dedication to Service’ at 2.30 p.m. Some of the ministers taking part were the Rev. Rangi Rogers, senior Maori Methodist Minister, the Rev. Ruawai Rakena, assistant head of the Methodist Maori Mission, the Rev. Maaka Mete of the Anglican Church, Rev. Moke Couch, and the Rev. Dr M. A. McDowell, who spoke at the afternoon service. A delicious hangi meal was served during the interval, and girls from Te Waipounamu, led by Ngatai Huata, provided informal entertainment. Local residents expressed their gratitude to the staff of the Christchurch Technical Institute and the Maori boys in the painting and paperhanging course, who had completely repainted the church and hall, as one of their projects. From a booklet prepared for the centennial by Mr Wera Couch, kaumatua of Rapaki, we give some of the history of the