Rangiātea Church

Rangiātea Church

New building opened 2003
Country New Zealand
Denomination Anglican

Rangiātea Church in Otaki, New Zealand was the oldest Māori Anglican church in New Zealand.[1] Originally completed in 1851, the building was burnt down by an arsonist in 1995, and by 2003 the church had been completely rebuilt.[2]

Picture on tea towel of the interior circa 1851

In 1848, Te Rauparaha who had just returned to Otaki from Australia, issued the challenge of building the church to the chief of Te Wehiwehi, who accepted.[3] Rangiātea Church was built under the direction of Te Rauparaha and English missionary Octavius Hadfield.[4]

During the original construction in the 1840s, large tōtara logs had to be floated down rivers at nearby Ohau and Waikawa. The logs became the ridge pole and the central pillars of the church. The rafters, pillars and slabs were also made from tōtara.[3]

The design of the church is unique in that it incorporates ideas from both English and Māori church design.[5]

Restorations

Rāngiatea Church's first documented restoration took place in 1886.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "Rangiātea – an online exhibition". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  2. ↑ "Rangiātea Church". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  3. 1 2 "Rangiatea Church". wotzon.com. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  4. ↑ "Hadfield, Octavius". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  5. ↑ "Rangiatea Church". Infotour Guides Limited. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  6. ↑ "Rangiātea: a History of Restoration". National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 9 July 2012.

Coordinates: 40°45′0.1″S 175°8′15.51″E / 40.750028°S 175.1376417°E / -40.750028; 175.1376417

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