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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.

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Comments

Billy Blue Eyes said…
Nice looking building, looks like the balcony has been removed
18 May 2021 at 07:33
Amypie said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
18 May 2021 at 07:47
Amypie 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.
18 May 2021 at 07:50
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.
18 May 2021 at 08:41
Lydia C. Lee said…
That's sad., I hope they can add the balconies back.
18 May 2021 at 10:02
The Greenockian said…
Interesting building. Think I prefer the older version!
18 May 2021 at 10:48
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
18 May 2021 at 11:21
William Kendall said…
It looks fresher now.
18 May 2021 at 11:37
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.
18 May 2021 at 16:41
Tigger's Mum said…
PS the current view makes it look like the back of a house rather than the front.
18 May 2021 at 16:42
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.
18 May 2021 at 16:46
Veronica Lee said…
Both versions are beautiful but the balconies give it an added charm.
18 May 2021 at 17:02
Iris Flavia said…
Oh, the original looked wonderful - sad they rebuilt it like that.
Yet... looking forward to your tour.
18 May 2021 at 19:12
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.
19 May 2021 at 09:58
carol l mck said…
Lovely photos of an historical house ~ Xo

Living moment by moment,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
19 May 2021 at 10:01
Jim said…
Beautiful.
19 May 2021 at 10:42
Sharon said…
That's a beautiful place in such a lush setting.
20 May 2021 at 02:16
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.
20 May 2021 at 03:18
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!
22 May 2021 at 10:57
Lady Fi said…
What a lovely building.
23 May 2021 at 21:40
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