St Andrew’s

St Andrew’s Church and Hall ( Te Whare Karakia me te Horo o Saint Andrew)

On our way to Wellington this morning, we quickly popped in at St Andrew’s. I checked a bit of the past history: Between 1892 and 1893 Reikorangi was surveyed and the ‘Church Acre’ was laid out to include a school, town hall, church, churchyard and a store. The land was donated by the Parata family. With a growing population and only a rough track to reach Waikanae (then known as Parata Village), the need for a church became urgent. In 1959 a vestry and chancel were added. The church’s bell, from the wreck of the Devon in Wellington harbour in 1913, still calls the people of the valley to worship.

Just a few kilometres from us is the tiny Anglican church of St Andrew at the confluence of Reikorangi Road, Ngatiawa Road and Akatarawa Road in the Reikorangi valley area.

On the far side of the tiny church lies a steep downhill with a series of well-kept gardens.

The flag of St….. no guessing there!

Down below on the ground this mosaic tile laid in the walkway … more of the same.