Kaiwaka Presbyterian Church 1878

Photo courtesy of the Mangawhai Museum circa 1918.

Earlier this week I wrote a post about the Kaiwaka Cemetery, originally there was apparently a church on the site. In 1878 a Reverend Bruce visited the town, held a committee meeting of church members to discuss the need for a presbyterian church.

Article from Papers Past - NZ Herald 9 February 1878. 

A Mr Ross proposed that "immediate steps be taken to erect a presbyterian church in Kaiwaka and that this meeting considers it advisable to erect the same on the plot at Mr Thornton's", this was seconded by Mr J. Hastie and carried.

In April 1879 it was completed and handed over to the committee.  The internal fittings were yet to be added and there was talk of a public tea meeting being held in order to raise money for the seats etc.

I've managed to find some photos online thanks to the Mangawhai Museum. In this one from left to right is Jean Mooney nee Leslie - 1899 to 1959, William Leslie - 1891 - 1949 and Frances Lee Balderston nee Leslie - 1887 to 1962.  Photo taken in 1932.

And this was inside the church which was later moved to Te Pounga Marae on Nathan's Road - Kaiwaka. The above photo was donated by Bev Ross.

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