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Rawene Methodist Church



Most of you out there know by now I have a thing for old historical churches and cemeteries - this one I had been meaning to explore for some time.  The Rawene Methodist Church is on NZ's heritage list and was built by a William Cook in 1876 and is an example of a timber building made in gothic style.

Due to a failing congregation the church is now privately owned and the owners were granted $18,000 in 2019 to carry out work on it that respects the history as part of the National Preservation Incentive Fund. Apparently it will be transformed into an artists studio - I can't wait to see it when it's finished. 

Linking up with Skywatch Friday. 

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Comments

At Home In New Zealand said…
Great to see such an historic building getting a new lease on life.
10 September 2020 at 21:12
Tom said…
...it's sweet and I love the gothic style.
11 September 2020 at 00:26
Graham Edwards said…
I remember Rawene very well. Although I don't think we explored the Methodist Church. We had a puncture and the garage there was brilliant. That was, I think, the day we had been to Motukaraka and had been in the splendid church there. It could be seem for many miles around and was very impressive.
11 September 2020 at 03:36
William Kendall said…
This one is a beauty.
11 September 2020 at 05:55
Amypie71 said…
I think you mean this one Graham - it certainly is a beauty https://comingupclose3.blogspot.com/2018/12/motukaraka-church.html
11 September 2020 at 07:35
Graham Edwards said…
I do indeed, Amy, and I see that I commented there too.
11 September 2020 at 07:56
Spare Parts and Pics said…
That's a very pretty little church. It will be interesting to see it as a studio!
11 September 2020 at 09:21
Susan Heather said…
Great to see it is being preserved and given a new use.
11 September 2020 at 10:50
Jim said…
Great architecture.
11 September 2020 at 16:12
Tigger's Mum said…
F loves repurposed churches. Love and good materials usually went into building the original building so if the make over is sympathetic to the original it will be great to see it still a useful part of the community as well as remaining an historic landmark.
11 September 2020 at 16:50
eileeninmd said…
Hello,

It is a pretty church, I am glad it has found a new use! Take care, enjoy your day! Wishing you a happy weekend!
11 September 2020 at 22:24
carol l mck said…
Beautiful sky and church photo !

Live each moment with love,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
12 September 2020 at 02:03
Bill said…
A beautiful little church.
12 September 2020 at 03:27
Sharon said…
An artists studio seems like a perfect second life for this building.
12 September 2020 at 04:08
Pauline said…
Good to see it's been given another chance at life. It was in a pretty sad state last time I saw it. Graham remembers the Motukaraka church, my favourite in Rawene is the Catholic Church, it's so simple and beautiful inside.
12 September 2020 at 19:16
Yogi♪♪♪ said…
That's cool. We have similar churches here in rural Oklahoma. Glad that it is going to be restored and repurposed and hopefully last a bunch more years.
17 September 2020 at 12:59
Anonymous said…
My Grandfather, Reg Grice was the Parson at the Rawene Methodist church in the 1930s. He would visit his congregation using his Indian motorcycle. My mother, the eldest of 5, remembered her childhood in Rawene fondly, and often spoke of the large Puriri tree in the garden of the Parsonage.
21 April 2025 at 14:02
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