FSO - Steeples, Spires, Weathervanes

This topic should be right up my street.  Churches have spires and steeples and I spend enough time looking at old churches.  But I wouldn't give a second glance to an impressive cathedral with steeples soaring to the heavens.  My kind of church is small, wooden and humble.

The church which, to my way of thinking, is the most impressive in the north of New Zealand is Our Lady of the Assumption, a prominent landmark on the Hokianga Harbour at Motukaraka.  Built in 1910, its steeple was originally sheathed in copper and resheathed in stainless steel in the 1980s.

It is listed with the NZ Historic Places Trust.

 

A couple of other steeples seen around the north:

(Ko Te Rau Tau O Kaikohe, 1937)

 

 (Holy Trinity Church, Pakaraka, 1854)

 Sadly too many churches of the north are falling into disrepair.  The spire on this one looks like it could topple in the not too far distant future.

As this one already has:

 

That won't happen to the Church of the Epiphany, not far from where I live.  It will be 100 years old in January, 2016, the new roof was completed in 2009 and parishioners are now fundraising for the next project - the renewal of the steeple roof, the cross and the walls.  They hope to have the refurbishment completed for the centenary celebrations.  

As for weather vanes, I guess they come in handy if you are in an unfamiliar area - and you want to go sailing.  Otherwise, to me, they are mostly just an interesting garden feature. This one I find particularly appealing as the dog was crafted to resemble the owner's aging companions.

Others will be posting their steeples, spires and weathervanes here.

Back to a Church on Sunday

Of all the many churches of the northern Hokianga district, the Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, Motukaraka is the most prominent. It sits on the northern side of the Hokianga Harbour.  Our first sighting of it was across the harbour from Rawene.  It's an impressive sight, towering as it does above the harbour with the Ngai Tupoto Marae snuggled at its feet.

We were lucky to visit when we did as it had been renovated for its Centennial Celebrations at Easter.  The original church was entirely funded by the local Maori community.  It's hard to imagine the celebrations of its original blessing and dedication which attracted more than 2,000 people.  New buildings had to be erected at the marae to accommodate the large number of guests. 

Catholic missionary work began in the Hokianga as early as 1838 with the arrival of Bishop Pompallier (we will visit his resting place next week).

The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption and the Ngai Tupoto Marae are located on marae reserve land owned by Ngai Tupoto ki Motukaraka.  The church is especially important to Ngai Tupoto, who built it and has consistently maintained it for 100 years.

From the steps leading up from the marae and harbour landing, the church beckons from far above.

A beautiful war memorial stands to one side:

On the other is the church water tank:

It's lovely from all sides, including the back:

But, I think the beautiful stained windows at the front are surely one of its loveliest features.

Inside, past the uniquely New Zealand holy water font:

is a truly beautiful church, well used, much loved: