Te Kowhai heritage needs your help

The Editor from Te Kowhai Newsletter

Story by Ruth Smart.

St Stephen’s church is the small white church just north of the garage in Te Kowhai. Originally built on a site in Collie Rd in 1903, it was moved by Mr V Jack to the ‘new’ village, and the site donated by Mr Vic Henton in 1955.

This church is now over 115 years old. Regular services have been held in this building since in was built and consecrated in 1903. This historic building is possibly the oldest within the village itself. It is one for us all to treasure and protect for future generations.

Today, regular services are held on the first and third Sunday of the month. There will also be Christmas services in December.

Compared to the ‘baby boomer years’ when there was a roll of 27 children at Sunday School with three teachers and a Ladies Guild who extended a caring hand to the community, we, like many mainstream churches, reflect the modern times, with a regular congregation of ten. Less during the winter months.

Recently, as you’ve passed by, you may have noticed the door was repaired. The cost of this was met with a Heritage grant from Waikato District Council. We have also completed the rewiring of both the church and the annex, to ensure they are safe.

Our initial investigation of the church has shown it is suffering from water damage and in need of major maintenance as well as painting. We have one quote for the repair and paint but are well aware the actual state of the timber will not be really known until the paint has been stripped back. We are also aware that the longer this maintenance is deferred, the worse the state of the building will become.

Our initial quote for repairs was $15,000 but we know we will need to raise more than this. Given that there is further maintenance required on the tea room, anything raised above the requirement for the church, would still be used for the church buildings here at St Stephens.

Donations

Your support is needed. The congregation invite you to help us with our building project.

Cheque: Payable to: Holy Trinity Ngaruawahia

Post: St Stephens Church, c/- R Smart, 26 Willowbrook Lane, R D 8, Hamilton 3288

In person: Come along to a service on Sunday and pop a donation in an envelope on the plate.

Please contact Ruth Smart for internet banking details if needed. Phone: 829 7655 evenings or email ruthsmart@xtra.co.nz