ALL SAINTS WAR MEMORIAL CHURCH, HOKITIKA
The present Church of All Saints was consecrated on
1 November 1936 to replace the seventy year old wooden church which dated back to the time of the gold-rush.
A letter by the first Vicar, Henry Harper describes Hokitika at the time of his arrival in 1866. “I found an energetic committee established; a small four roomed cottage completed, both standing in amongst large stumps of pine trees lately fallen, a most picturesque scene with tents and miners’ huts wherever there was a clear little space, all encircled by a background of magnificent forest.”
The original All Saints Church consecrated 1866.
Once it was evident the original church had to be replaced planning began to build a War Memorial Church which was consecrated by The Rt Rev’d Dr Campbell West-Watson, Bishop of Christchurch on 1 November 1936-
‘to the glory of God and in memory of those of our Parish who fought in the Great War 1914- 1918’
The period after the WW2 was marked by stability and growth. Bible Class camps, the Mothers’ Union, Ladies’ Guild a vibrant choir, a big Sunday School and popular annual fairs were supported by a busy schedule of services.
Over time Westland has lost the forestry industry, Government Departments shifted away and finances became difficult. In the 1990s and it was evident the Parish would not be able to support a full-time vicar any longer. By mid 1999 the process towards Total Ministry began. After a prayer, a calling and training a Total Shared Ministry was formed.
So today, for more than a decade the parish has operated as a Local Shared Ministry Unit (LSM). In Local Shared Ministry the entire congregation identify and recognise one another’s gifts and together they are responsible for day to day living out of the church mission. A core LSM team meets weekly for planning and to support each other in ministry. The meetings are open to anyone in the congregation.
Vestry is an elected body who represent the congregation and are responsible for the business and maintenance of the church. They receive financial statements and through the Wardens vestry is responsible to the Bishop. There is an elected warden- the Peoples‘ Warden, and a warden appointed by the bishop- the Bishop’s Warden.
At present we are embarking on a major programme of restoration of the church.
The present Church of All Saints was consecrated on
1 November 1936 to replace the seventy year old wooden church which dated back to the time of the gold-rush.
A letter by the first Vicar, Henry Harper describes Hokitika at the time of his arrival in 1866. “I found an energetic committee established; a small four roomed cottage completed, both standing in amongst large stumps of pine trees lately fallen, a most picturesque scene with tents and miners’ huts wherever there was a clear little space, all encircled by a background of magnificent forest.”
The original All Saints Church consecrated 1866.
Once it was evident the original church had to be replaced planning began to build a War Memorial Church which was consecrated by The Rt Rev’d Dr Campbell West-Watson, Bishop of Christchurch on 1 November 1936-
‘to the glory of God and in memory of those of our Parish who fought in the Great War 1914- 1918’
The period after the WW2 was marked by stability and growth. Bible Class camps, the Mothers’ Union, Ladies’ Guild a vibrant choir, a big Sunday School and popular annual fairs were supported by a busy schedule of services.
Over time Westland has lost the forestry industry, Government Departments shifted away and finances became difficult. In the 1990s and it was evident the Parish would not be able to support a full-time vicar any longer. By mid 1999 the process towards Total Ministry began. After a prayer, a calling and training a Total Shared Ministry was formed.
So today, for more than a decade the parish has operated as a Local Shared Ministry Unit (LSM). In Local Shared Ministry the entire congregation identify and recognise one another’s gifts and together they are responsible for day to day living out of the church mission. A core LSM team meets weekly for planning and to support each other in ministry. The meetings are open to anyone in the congregation.
Vestry is an elected body who represent the congregation and are responsible for the business and maintenance of the church. They receive financial statements and through the Wardens vestry is responsible to the Bishop. There is an elected warden- the Peoples‘ Warden, and a warden appointed by the bishop- the Bishop’s Warden.
At present we are embarking on a major programme of restoration of the church.