St James Anglican Church, Matangirau

It seems this is a church I've forgotten to share. St James Anglican Church is located in Matangirau next to a sports field just north of Whangaroa in the far north.

Photo from Auckland Libraries Heritage Images.

It was built by missionary James Shepherd who arrived in the area in 1823 but settled here in 1838 where he also built his home and mission station. He was not an ordained minister but his skills as a horticulturalist and carpenter as well as being fluent in te reo made him an important asset to the Church Mission Society. 

This photo is a little hard to make out but it shows the interior of the church. Photo by Laurence Aberhart taken from the Auckland Art Gallery.

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