St Luke's Anglican Church celebrates 130 years in Rotorua
This was written in November 2019 in recognition of St Luke's Anglican Church celebrated 130 years.
Rev. F.H. Spencer, son of Rev Seymour Mills Spencer the missionary stationed at Lake Tarawera, was appointed vicar for the parish of Rotorua in 1889. (St Faith's church at Ōhinemutu had been built in 1885 owing to the efforts of local Māori.) From 1892 weekly services for local Europeans and tourists appear to have been held at the Sanatorium, as road conditions to St Faith's were often impassable.
It was not until 1881 that the township of Rotorua was established, separate to the village of Ōhinemutu. By May 1896, the vestry felt it was the right time to take steps to building St Luke's. It was reported in the Hot Lakes Chronicle of 9 September 1896 that the building fund for the new English (Anglican) church was slowly growing. Advertisements appeared in the paper advising that a "Grand Concert", with an admission fee of 2 shillings and 1 shilling, would be held at Pukeroa Hall in aid of the building fund.
In July 1897 land in Haupapa Street was offered for auction by the Crown and the vestry secured this for an annual rental of 8 pounds on a 99-year lease. Unfortunately, there is no record of the cost to build the wooden church.
On Sunday 5 November 1899 the new church, St Luke's, was consecrated by Bishop W.L. Williams of Waiapu, who also preached at both the morning and evening services. Two days later the first confirmation service was held. (Rev S. Ingle was now vicar)
In 1901 Rev H.C. Blackburne became vicar, replaced by Rev C.A. Tisdall in 1904.
By 1902 the chancel had been added to the eastern end of the building, and between 1902 and 1906 the belfry and parish hall had been completed. By 1909, a vicarage had been erected as well on the corner of Amohia & Hinemoa Streets. Six vicars and their families were to reside here over the next six decades.
According to the Bay of Plenty Times, Bishop Sedgwick inducted Rev K. McLean as vicar on 29 October 1914. Ten years later, in July 1924 the first ordination of a priest took place, and Bishop Sedgwick of Waiapu inducted Rev W.S.G. Cameron.
By 1933 the decision was made that the church really did need to be enlarged. So plans were drawn up to cut the church in half, move one half 20 ft to the west, thus adding 20 ft to the size of the church. On 19 November 1933 Bishop H.W. Williams consecrated the new enlarged church, which incidentally opened free of debt!
A new pipe organ was installed in the church on 11 Nov 1938, at a cost of 485 pounds. At Evensong the organ was dedicated.
In 1946 a new free-standing belfry was built to accommodate the new 600 lb bell, bought to replace the small one atop the church which had been in use for over 40 years.
Reports from a church meeting on 7 June 1956 list the concerns and thinking about planning for a new church building:
- present church becoming too small
- within 10 years will have reached end of effective life
- in 10 years vicarage need demolishing
- make use of vicarage site?
- make church out of permanent materials
- add community centre with youth hall
On Friday 27 September 1957 the amount raised for the new building through a campaign for pledges was reported in the Daily Post.
Over the next few years discussions were held as to where the new church should be built. Initially it was intended that the vicarage be demolished and a new church centre be built on that site.
In 1968 the Church and land in Haupapa Street was sold to the Rotorua City Council, although the congregation continued meeting there till 1973. The decision was made that the new church centre would be built on the corner of Amohia and Pukuatua Streets. This new centre would be made of permanent materials, incorporating a place for worship along with space for counselling, an office, kitchen, and youth areas.
On the 11 November 1973, St Luke's, Haupapa Street closed officially during the morning service. After everyone had filed out, the Bishop boarded up the door, deconsecrating the church.
The congregation then formed a procession, filing up Ranolf Street to Malfroy Road where the service was completed in All Saints' Church Hall. This became the congregations' home till the new church and centre opened on 11 October 1975. It was opened and dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Paul Reeves, Bishop of Waiapu.
As well as the main auditorium, a side chapel sanctuary was built. Two stained glass windows from the old St Luke's were installed here, both dedicated to the memory of parishioners.
A new rough sawn, unadorned Redwood cross was installed in the church, along with a plain, unadorned altar.
In 1979 a new pipe organ was installed. This is used weekly for services and has been the centre of many musical recitals and events at St Luke's over the years.
It was decided in 1987 to extend the church again. This extension was consecrated on Sunday 22 February 1988 by Bishop Peter Atkins, Bishop of Waiapu.
Today, St Luke's offers two services on a Sunday morning, a Wednesday morning Communion service, and Messy Church once a month on a Sunday afternoon which caters especially for families. A healing service is held monthly.
On the weekend of 26 & 27 October 2019, St Luke's held a 130 year celebration dinner on the Saturday night and services on the Sunday. Tony Gerritsen, present Principal of St John's Theological College, who was Vicar at St Luke's from 1992-1994, was the guest speaker.
This blog was written by Trish using newspapers and books from the DSR collections. With thanks to Daily Post and Rev Alex Czerwonka, Vicar of St Luke's, Rotorua. (2019, November 1).
Postcard supplied by Rev. Alex Czerwonka
Beatrice Betty Bertram. Photo by Trish Brown
