The first Christian services in and around Huntly were held in marae and mission homes in the 1840s, with the first churches built of raupo. In the 1880s the people of Huntly decided to build a church, which led to the consecration of a 200 seat timber church on a section beside the railway line next to the current church. The land was donated by the Taupiri Coal Company. The church cost 352 pounds, a large sum during a nationwide depression, yet it opened debt free in 1894.
Tragedy struck in 1933 when a spark from a passing train ignited the wooden shingle roof. With no local fire brigade the community could do little but watch their church burn. May Lord, our much loved 90 year old parishioner, was baptised in that original timber church.
Just a year later Bishop Cowie, the first Bishop of the Diocese of Waikato, laid the foundation stone of the current church. The new building cost 1500 pounds. It is constructed of Huntly brick in a unique double brick cavity design with concrete reinforcing in the tower.
The church bell was originally from St Clements Church in London. Founded by Danish settlers in the 9th century, St Clements was rebuilt by Christopher Wren in 1682 after a fire, then gutted again during the Blitz in 1941. It was restored and reconsecrated in 1958 as the central church of the Royal Air Force. St Clements bells and fire have a long shared history.
St Pauls Huntly no longer met current earthquake codes. Securing the necessary engineering and architectural reports and District Council consents to meet modern safety standards began four years ago and required patient sustained effort, led particularly by Archdeacon Joyce Marcon, Priest in Charge, and Parish Administrator Wendy Mahon. As a Category 1 historic building, repairs had to be unobtrusive with no visible changes. External scaffolding around the tower, required to allow continued use of the church, has now been removed and the beauty of the tower is visible again.
With the cost far exceeding parish resources, they also worked hard to secure donor funding from trusts and parishioners to support remediation that met architectural and heritage requirements. This ensured the builders understood the precise task before them.
We are grateful to God for all who contributed their professional expertise to ensure our church can continue its witness to the love and grace of God for at least the next century as it has for the past one. Present at the service were Waikato District Councillor David Whyte, conservator architect Graeme Burgess, Wendy Terryl, Priest in Charge of bells at the Cathedral of St Peter in Hamilton, and diocesan manager Ben Ferrier.
Bishop Philip Richardson, Bishop of the Diocese of Waikato Taranaki, led the dedication prayer. Refreshments followed the service, including the cutting of the rededication cake by senior parishioner May Lord.
Donors:
WEL Energy Trust
Genesis Energy
Lotteries Environment Heritage Fund
Kosoof and Sons, Huntly
Several Huntly parishioners
Te Kauwhata Anglican Parish
St Pauls Parish Friendship Circle
Bishop Philip Richardson, Bishop of Waikato Taranaki
Report by John Marcon
Photos by Antonio Savini
