Recently on a drive home from Paihia we took a different route than we normally take and stopped to explore this church in Pakaraka.
The Pakaraka Holy Trinity Church was built around 1850-51 by missionary Henry Williams and was opened in 1873.
The first and third sons of Henry and his wife Marianne farmed here in this area for many years. I don't know about you but those stained glass windows are awesome are they not?
Henry was the leader of the Church Missionary Society mission in NZ in the first half of the 19th century. He entered the royal navy at 14 years old and came here in 1823. The Bay of Islands Maori people gave him the name Karu-wha (meaning four eyes) as he wore spectacles but he was known more widely as Te Wiremu (Wiremu being the maori form of William).
The church and entrance (as above) are gothic in style, there is a slim steeple and the original tower apparently blew down in 1946 but was replaced in 2001. Henry's best tribute was in 1867 on the day he died 2 local tribes had planned a battle to settle a land dispute.
The old man's well respected mana (meaning power) that when the warriors heard the news both sides put their weapons down and joined the mourners.
Linking up with Wednesday around the world and Our World Tuesday.
14 comments:
I like the proportions of the church as well as those stained glass windows.
Very interesting church history and I really like the stained glass window.
Taking a different route definitely pays off. This is one charming historic church.
Worth a Thousand Words
Such a peaceful and pretty church!
What a lovely place and wonderful photos too!
Happy Day to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
A beautiful church!
What a pretty little church!
That is a wonerful looking church and cemetery along with it and you have a Lychgate
Neat find! The building has quite a lot of beautiful details.
This is such a beautiful little church. Love its style!
It's so awesome finding little churches with such awesome history. I'm so glad you linked up at My Corner of the World!
Those stained glass windows looks so nice. Well executed low light situation. Me likey. :)
Very nice and I always enjoy seeing stained glass windows.
All the best Jan
A quiet and beautiful place. And a great post with many explanations. I like that
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