Tuesday 18 May 2021

Pompallier Mission House



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.



It looks very different to how it looks today (top photo) compared to this one taken in 1967. Edited to add: After searching for more information on the property I've found that the outside decking and rails seems to be removed because of structural issues the house has had over the years. 

Linking up with Our World Tuesday, Through my lens, Tuesday Treasures, Tuesday Travel, My corner of the world, Wordless Wednesday.

22 comments:

Billy Blue Eyes said...

Nice looking building, looks like the balcony has been removed

Amy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Amy said...

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.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

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.

Maria Rodrigues said...

Beautiful house.

Lydia C. Lee said...

That's sad., I hope they can add the balconies back.

The Greenockian said...

Interesting building. Think I prefer the older version!

NCSue said...

What a beautiful place - it's a classic!
Thanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2021/05/i-can-fly.html

William Kendall said...

It looks fresher now.

Tigger's Mum said...

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.

Tigger's Mum said...

PS the current view makes it look like the back of a house rather than the front.

Fun60 said...

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.

Veronica Lee said...

Both versions are beautiful but the balconies give it an added charm.

Iris Flavia said...

Oh, the original looked wonderful - sad they rebuilt it like that.
Yet... looking forward to your tour.

Bill said...

I like the older version better. I agree with Tigger, it does look like the back of the house with the new look.

carol l mckenna said...

Lovely photos of an historical house ~ Xo

Living moment by moment,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Jim said...

Beautiful.

Sharon said...

That's a beautiful place in such a lush setting.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

The garden in the original photo is gorgeous Amy, pity about the balconies, they looked so pretty ✨ will be interesting to see inside.

Lillian "sognafaret" said...

Just like a castle

betty-NZ said...

It's an interesting bit of NZ history for sure.

I appreciate your link at 'My Corner of the World' this week!

Lady Fi said...

What a lovely building.

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