We were over in Russell last week on B's day off hoping to do a tour of the Pompallier Mission House but alas we were a bit late for the tour. History about this place is: Built in 1842 it housed a printery where church texts were translated from Latin to te reo Māori, then printed and bound. The property is just five minutes’ walk from the wharf at Russell, formerly known as Kororareka and infamous as the ‘hell-hole of the Pacific’ for its drunken and raucous behaviour. It was against this colourful backdrop that a group of French Marist Brothers – including Jean Baptiste Pompallier, after whom the property is named – arrived to set up a Catholic Mission in the settlement.
Unfortunately we were a bit late by the time we got there and B had an appointment that afternoon so it will have to wait until another time.
22 comments:
Nice looking building, looks like the balcony has been removed
I just looked it up and apparently over the years it has suffered structural issues which have had to be rectified so maybe that is why.
I'm intrigued. I guess the French Marists decided that the hellhole needed them. Along with the indigenous population.
I'm no structural engineer but the vertical supports on the original balcony seem a little spindly for the load of the balcony.
Beautiful house.
That's sad., I hope they can add the balconies back.
Interesting building. Think I prefer the older version!
What a beautiful place - it's a classic!
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It looks fresher now.
Definitely prefer the original design. I wonder if someone can find a way to reconstruct the verandahs without aftually attaching them to the building so that we can retain the Marist Bros original vision and not damage the historic building.
PS the current view makes it look like the back of a house rather than the front.
It looks an interesting building. Must have been frustrating for you to miss the tour. Look forward to seeing photos of the inside on your next visit.
Both versions are beautiful but the balconies give it an added charm.
Oh, the original looked wonderful - sad they rebuilt it like that.
Yet... looking forward to your tour.
I like the older version better. I agree with Tigger, it does look like the back of the house with the new look.
Lovely photos of an historical house ~ Xo
Living moment by moment,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Beautiful.
That's a beautiful place in such a lush setting.
The garden in the original photo is gorgeous Amy, pity about the balconies, they looked so pretty ✨ will be interesting to see inside.
Just like a castle
It's an interesting bit of NZ history for sure.
I appreciate your link at 'My Corner of the World' this week!
What a lovely building.
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