Nearly 40 people gathered to farewell the former Uniting Church building on Sunday 15 March.
The Uniting Church (Presbyterian and Methodist) in Māpua, opened in 1928, was deconsecrated many years ago when the new church building on the opposite side of the street was opened in 2009. It’s now being sold, but before it begins its new season, Hills Community Church wanted a fitting send off for the building and the land upon which it sits.
Hills Community Church hosted the event by serving afternoon tea and inviting folks to share memories and stories of the place and its people over the years. With a few display boards to highlight how its Presbyterian roots were planted by pioneering orchardists, we heard how Arnold Wells gifted the land on Aranui Road with the intention of building a church for the congregation that was holding Sunday services in the school at that time. We were delighted to welcome John Wells, great grandson of Arnold Wells, to the event. He supplied portraits of Arnold and his wife Lizzie, which allowed attendees to really connect with the characters and hearts of these forebearers, who not only planted some of the first apple trees in Māpua, but ministered to the spiritual health of the community with their lay preaching all around the region.
Long-serving worshippers, some now in their 80s, were able to reflect on how the small community was served by the Uniting Church with a large Sunday School and became the venue for community functions and services. Ella Theobald recalled how a Richmond doctor made use of the church kitchen for a fortnightly clinic. There was also the monthly visit by the Plunket nurse and church ladies provided morning tea for the mums and babies waiting for their slot with the nurse. For some mums, this was a lifeline to sanity. Church stalwart Alaster Rose attended and we were reminded about the seasonal workers café he organised in Tasman for the influx of harvesting crews who needed to let off steam at the end of the week.
With photos and anecdotes and oh so many utterances of “do you remember when…”, teacups were drained and cake was nibbled as the assembled throng said their goodbyes to the four walls and the ground on which it sits.
We bid farewell to the building with gratitude and with hope, giving thanks to what has been, rejoicing in what is now and stepping forward with confidence into what the Lord has yet to unfold for our church in Māpua.
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We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
Nearly 40 people gathered to farewell the former Uniting Church building on Sunday 15 March.
The Uniting Church (Presbyterian and Methodist) in Māpua, opened in 1928, was deconsecrated many years ago when the new church building on the opposite side of the street was opened in 2009. It’s now being sold, but before it begins its new season, Hills Community Church wanted a fitting send off for the building and the land upon which it sits.
Hills Community Church hosted the event by serving afternoon tea and inviting folks to share memories and stories of the place and its people over the years. With a few display boards to highlight how its Presbyterian roots were planted by pioneering orchardists, we heard how Arnold Wells gifted the land on Aranui Road with the intention of building a church for the congregation that was holding Sunday services in the school at that time. We were delighted to welcome John Wells, great grandson of Arnold Wells, to the event. He supplied portraits of Arnold and his wife Lizzie, which allowed attendees to really connect with the characters and hearts of these forebearers, who not only planted some of the first apple trees in Māpua, but ministered to the spiritual health of the community with their lay preaching all around the region.
Long-serving worshippers, some now in their 80s, were able to reflect on how the small community was served by the Uniting Church with a large Sunday School and became the venue for community functions and services. Ella Theobald recalled how a Richmond doctor made use of the church kitchen for a fortnightly clinic. There was also the monthly visit by the Plunket nurse and church ladies provided morning tea for the mums and babies waiting for their slot with the nurse. For some mums, this was a lifeline to sanity. Church stalwart Alaster Rose attended and we were reminded about the seasonal workers café he organised in Tasman for the influx of harvesting crews who needed to let off steam at the end of the week.
With photos and anecdotes and oh so many utterances of “do you remember when…”, teacups were drained and cake was nibbled as the assembled throng said their goodbyes to the four walls and the ground on which it sits.
We bid farewell to the building with gratitude and with hope, giving thanks to what has been, rejoicing in what is now and stepping forward with confidence into what the Lord has yet to unfold for our church in Māpua.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
