ABOUT

INTRODUCTION

St Paul’s, Rangiaowhia ( also known as Hairini) stands as a sentinel overlooking a peaceful, rolling countryside. This was not always so.

 

The building of St Paul’s was commenced in 1852 when the district of Rangiaowhia was one of the most populated in the Waikato. In 1841, John Morgan, who had been working for the Church Missionary Society in the Waikato and in the Rotorua districts, was sent to Te Awamutu area. His efforts contributed significantly to the construction of that St Paul’s Church at Rangiaowhia and St John’s Church in Otawhao (Te Awamutu).

The two raupo chapels which had been used for worship by the Maori and the few settlers, were in a state of disrepair and both local Maori and  John Morgan felt there was a need for suitable, more permanent places of worship.

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Morgan appealed to the Church Missionary Society in London for grants for both Rangiaowhia and Otawhao (Te Awamutu) Churches. In 1852, the year John Morgan was ordained, this was forthcoming, one hundred pounds to each church. This, with generous donations from local Maori and Europeans, the help of Maori in donating trees, felling and transporting them, and in the actual building work, along with financial assistance from Mr Morgan himself, made the buildings possible.

When opening in 1856 the Church had a shingle roof and was without the spire and the entrance porch. It is known that the spire was added later, probable in 1858, and the porch in 1899. The building was of heart matai cut from the Rangiaowhia swamps, and the carpenters were Chittenham and Edwards. The stained glass window was also put in later. Records do not tell the exact date, but it is known to have been in position by May 1859.

 

The exact story of this beautiful window is not recorded, but it is generally accepted that it was intended for the Auckland Cathedral. It is known that the money for it came from a Church fund administered by Bishop Selwyn and from a donation from a Miss Charlotte Yongi.

 

It is interesting to note that the land on which the Church had already been commenced was granted to the Church Missionary Society by Deed of Trust 1854.

 

At the outbreak of the Waikato land wars, in 1863, most Europeans left the district and the care of the Church missionary property was undertaken by The Maori Chieftainess, Irihapeti Te Paea Potatau, a sister of the Maori King. Thus the Churches were saved from severe damage. General Cameron’s troops forcibly occupied Rangiaowhia in 1864 killing and driving Maori out of their homes, churches and land.

The military occupation lead to a period of neglect and decay for St Paul's. After a meeting called by Bishop Cowie in 1875, the Church was returned to a full state of repair and services were conducted by the Reverend Brady, the then Vicar of Te Awamutu. The Church was at this time also used as a state school.

 

Minutes of annual meetings of St Paul’s Church have been recorded since 16th July, 1899. From this date until 1919, meetings were held in the Church after Sunday services. From 1926 until 1968 meetings were held in the Rangiaowhia Hall. The two gaps in records, in 1919 to 1926 and 1938 to 1947, may possibly be due to the effects in the district of the two world wars.

 

These minutes give a picture of years of faithful service by a small band of parishioners. Under guidance and support of the various Vicars in Te Awamutu, the people managed and supported the Church at Rangiaowhia with its own Vicar’s Warden and People’s Warden. Finances came from regular offerings, special donations, and efforts such as garden parties organised by ladies’ committees.

 

From reference in minutes it is apparent that from 1899 to 1903, at least, there was both an active Sunday school and choir.

 

In 1910 the Church suffered in a severe gale and the east end was moved off its foundations. The stained window was damaged and repairs had to be carried out. Hence the pieces of the glass which appear faded, in 1954, in preparation for Centennial celebrations, repairs and maintenance were carried out and some new furniture donated.

 

In 1968 the east window was removed, re-leaded and the wooden frame repaired. In 1973, with financial assistance from the Historic Places Trust, major repairs were carried out, steel ties being put inside the Church to stabilise the building.

 

As with so many beautiful, old buildings, the upkeep of St Paul’s is an on-going concern. The parishioners, and a great number of caring people of today, are anxious to maintain and preserve St Paul’s, which has been left in trust by Christian pioneers who, in this place established firmly the work of God.