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Coates Memorial Church

 


One of my favourite places in Northland is the tiny town of Matakohe and next to the Kauri Settler's Museum is this church which was dedicated after a local politician/farmer named Joseph Gordon Coates (Coates is still a well known surname around this region with descendants living locally) who is also buried in the cemetery here.


He was first elected as MP in 1911 and took a leave of absence from parliament in 1916 to serve in the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces rising to the rank of major. He was wounded and decorated twice then became leader of the Reform Party and Prime Minister in 1925. He served as a very effective minister from 1931 to 1935 and in a wartime cabinet from 1940 to 1943. He died suddenly on 27th May 1943.


After discussing it with the Coates family, the government decided to build this church as a national memorial designed by architect Horace Lovell Massey and was then opened on 27th May 1950 by Prime Minster Sidney Holland.
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Comments

s.c said…
With minimal decoration, yet maximum effect for this small church. Well done!
5 October 2025 at 23:45
Tom said…
...a lovely tribute!
6 October 2025 at 02:23
Bill said…
Nice tribute and a beautiful church.
6 October 2025 at 08:45
Jan K. alias Afanja said…
Beautiful story about this simply furnished church and about the man after whom it is named.
6 October 2025 at 10:24
magiceye said…
Simple, elegant and beautiful church.
6 October 2025 at 18:10
DawnTreader said…
That's a cute little church!
6 October 2025 at 22:53
Iris Flavia said…
He sure "earned" it!
7 October 2025 at 02:06
Sharon said…
It's a lovely church. It's so neat and tidy looking.
7 October 2025 at 03:07
Tigger's Mum said…
What a beautiful light filled church
7 October 2025 at 16:49
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