ST. LUKE'S, BELL BLOCK

The original church property was a Crown grant to Bishop Selwyn, in 1857, for the sum of £8-18-9. It was vested in the names of Henry Govett, J. S. McKellar and F. Webster. The measurements were made by Mr J. Cook, of the Lands Office.

St. Luke's, Bell Block, was the second Anglican church to be built to the east of New Plymouth. It was opened on St. Luke's Day, 1857, by Rev. Lally, acting as locum for Archdeacon Govett who was visiting, England. The first clergyman to minister at Bell Block was Rev. Woolaston.

The Bell Block area experienced its full share of trouble during the war of 1860. The Rev. F. A. Bennett (1872-1950), later to become Bishop Bennett, was directed by Archdeacon Samuel Williams of Te Awe, to assist in the work of the Maori Mission in the North Island. Mr Bennett worked for six years at Bell Block. The house in Henwood Road where he lived is still standing. He had no definite parish but laboured zealously with both races to heal the breach caused by the wars. His genuine love of his fellow men. and unfailing cheerfulness, combined with his gilt of natural oratory, made him a much-loved pastor.

The present church is the second on the site. In 1901. Archdeacon Govett laid the foundation stone of the existing church building. The consecration of the church and property by Bishop Neligan, took place on Feb. 5th 1906. During the service, the Bishop used a Glastonbury chair which had been made and_. presented by Mr Charles Street. son of Romulus Street of Woodlands Farm.

The first combined annual meeting of parishioners of Te Henui and Bell Block, was held in 1916, and the following year, Messrs R. M. Gilbert and G. Childerhouse were appointed Lay Readers.

There are three memorial brasses in the church:

 1.  Memorial tablet to soldiers who fell in                the Great War.

2.         Tablet to Mrs Rowe aged 92, erected by friends and relatives in recognition of services rendered to church and district for more than 50 years. Died July 1916. The service of dedication was held in St. Luke's in 1920.

 3.    Memorial tablet to soldiers who fell in the Second World War, 

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This was Bishop Selwyn's favourite verse, and he records in his Journal of October 30, 1842, that the words came to mind when he viewed Mt. Egmont for the first time.

The Bishop had arrived in New Plymouth on October 28, after having travelled the 250 miles from Wellington on foot. The journey took 18 days. He was met by Mr. Wicksteed, Resident Agent for the New Zealand Com­pany and lodged at the house of Captain Cooke.

The house, built of raupo, was situated on the bank of the Henui stream, at the East end of Courtenay Street. The Bishop describes the scene thus:

"At the foot of the grounds ran one of those clear and rapid streams which abound throughout Taranaki, and all around, the fresh foliage of a New Zealand spring, tipping all the evergreens with a bright and sparkling verdure, formed a base on which the white peak of the mountain reposed."

On October 31, Bishop Selwyn, with the Chief Justice, Mr. Martin, walked over the greater part of the town, and selected sites for churches. On November 3, they sailed for the South in the Government brig "Vic­toria."

This was the first visit by the Bishop to New Plymouth. He considered it one of his duties to visit every settlement in the Colony. His walking has been described as of "free and elastic gait". Such an athletic style must have been a great advantage as he strode along the rough bush tracks and forded the streams in the course of his expeditions.

His second visit was made in November 1843. He had walked and canoed from Thames to New Plymouth, a distance of 550 miles. He had been delayed by floods in the upper Wanganui River, and came near to starvation. But he reached New Plymouth in time to wel­come Rev. Mr. Bolland and install him as Deacon in charge of the New Plymouth area.

This Parish area extended South, from Otumatua (near Pihama) in the coastal area, and as far north as settlement had been made towards Waitara. On his third visit, in March 1845, Bishop Selwyn laid the foundation stone of Holy Trinity.

WEEKESTOWN

The settlement to the east of the Henui was named "Weekestown" and officially this name is still retained in the Lands and Deeds Registration Department.

The surgeon aboard the "William Bryan" was Dr. Weekes. He was appointed by the New Zealand Company as first resident doctor of the settlement at New Plymouth, at the age of 26. His salary of £25 per annum Was to be paid from the date of his arrival in 1841, to continue for two years. There was little to augment this salary in a practice of hardy and healthy settlers, but he was paid an extra guinea for each midwifery case. "Slender pickings" indeed!

Dr Weekes records in his journal: Oct." 1st, 1841: "The climate was a healthy one and in spite of the dampness of the early houses, there was very little sickness." He recorded only two deaths—one from a kick by a horse and the other due to excessive drinking by a whaler.

A section of 50 acres was acquired by Dr Weekes. It was situated between Devon Line and the sea. bounded by Nob's Lim: and Beach Street. he map shown is a cfr^, of the original held by the Lands and Survey^. office New Plymouth. A map including this, area but extending from Watson Street to the Waiwakaiho River was drawn to scale by Mr W. H. Skinner in 1905, Much information as to names of early settlers was supplied by Mr. H. Faull, later residing in Tikorangi. This map was hung in the porch of Holy Trinity but has since disappeared.

 It would seem that Dr Weekes was endowed not only with professional skill but with considerable business acumen as well. He decided to subdivide his 50 acres into small areas, of the size required by some of the settlers. This was the first venture of its kind in New Plymouth and proved most success­ful, Having disposed of his land at considerable profit, he sailed for Sydney in 1842.

Mr. R. H. Aubrey (Surveyor's assistant) writing to Mr. Woolcombc at Plymouth, Eng­land, in 1842 says: "Weekes who left us so unexpectedly has reaped an abundant harvest from his suburban section. It is calculated that he sold it at the rate of £15 per acre."

Thus began the settlement of "Weekes­town" later re-named "Fitzroy."

Growth of Holy Trinity to Status of Parish, 1845-1950

When Bishop Selwyn was appointed Bishop of New Zealand, Melanesia was includ­ed in the diocese. This extension of boundaries was due to a clerical error at the colonial office in London and added enormously to the diffi­culties and problems to be faced in the admini­stration of such a large area.

The Bishop divided the North Island of New Zealand into three dioceses — Auckland (which included Taranaki), Waiapu and Wel­lington. These areas were later subdivided into archdeaconries.

In the pre-survey days of our land boun­daries often had to follow natural features. The Northern boundary of the Taranaki Arch­deaonry seems to have coincided with that of the province. This line of demarcation was the centre of the Mokau River from mouth to source, and thence by a straight line to the Wanganui River.

For 70 years from 1845, the Te Henui area remained part of the parish of St. Mary's. In the earliest times services were held only once a fortnight at Holy Trinity, and even these would not have been possible had it not been for the co-operation of the Methodist ministers the Rev. R. Ward and the Rev. H. Turton who were stationed in the district. This was church union in the truest sense.

In 1915 Holy Trinity was made a Paro­chial District and included Bell Block. The Rev. A. H. Favell, a curate of St Mary's was; appointed first minister of the district.

In 1950 Holy Trinity Parochial District was raised to the status of Parish with the Rev. M. Richards as First Vicar.

Churches of the Parish of Holy Trinity

There are now three places of worship in the Parish:

HOLY TRINITY

We read in Bishop Selwyn's diary of "The making of Te Henui Church in 1845. "This church was thatched, but not with raupo, rush or grass, but with stalks of the fern or bracken, an art peculiar to Philip Groves, a thatcher, who was known as 'Old Thatcher Groves'."

The cost of the chapel was £50, borne by Bishop Selwyn. It was the only Selwyn church in Taranaki, and was opened for worship by Rev. Bolland on May 5, 1845.

A later entry in the Bishop's diary tells us: "I had the pleasure of assembling a small body of our people at the rustic chapel of the Henui, two miles from St. Mary's. The building is formed of rough logs of timber, but its appearance indicates the uses to which it is applied and without assenting to the com­mon approbation of cheap churches, it is a satisfaction to know that a village population to the number of 70 or 80, have been provided with a temporary chapel of pleasing appear­ance at the expense of £50."

Miss Devenish, in her history of St Mary's gives some interesting details of services at Holy Trinity, and the disadvantages of the thatched roof. She writes:

"The vibrations of the tiny belfry caused black beetles to drop from the thatch, causing a feeling of unrest among the worshippers and a subtle odour pervaded the sacred edifice. Sometimes, even, it would be of interest to the young people to watch a neck-and-neck race of two or three of these creatures. the ultimate goal being the chin of the unconscious cleric."

A new roof, of shingles not of thatch, was consequently appreciated by the members of the congregation.

Time and the weather left their mark on the little chapel, and a building of a more permanent nature replaced the one of "rough­hewn" timber in 1872.

In 1888 the church was enlarged by the addition of the transepts, the architect being Mr. Sanderson. The chancel and rear portion, with their vertical boards can be seen as parts of the old church. Mr. and Mrs. Shuttleworth and the Bosworth family interested themselves greatly in this work. An extract from a letter to Miss Watkins from B. Stephenson-Smith records: "Through Mr. Shuttleworth's efforts, the church was enlarged, the new roof put on, and the vestry built. Before that, the clergy robed before the congregation."

Captain Armstrong added the little annex to the vestry in 1903. In the same year the church was renovated, chiefly at the expense of Archdeacon Cole. He raised the altar upon the steps and also raised the reredos. Plans for these alterations were prepared by Mr Messenger.

The year 1927 saw further renovations and enlargements. Part of the old walls were used to enclose the baptistery. and the former chancel is now the vestry. A new chancel completes the Latin cross design of English ecclesiastical style. A special service of re-dedication was held, Bishop Cherrington officiating. These alterations were carried out at a cost of £1145.

Forty years later, further extensions were made to the building. In the course of this work, the shingles forming the old roof were found under the corrugated iron.

Some new pews were required and some of these were given by parishioners. The cost of the remaining pews and the building was £4500. From a study of the exterior of the building, the vertical and horizontal boarding immediately attracts the attention of any who may be interested in Selwyn churches. But on entering the main door these differences of construction are not apparent. The obvious harmony of the various sections is very lovely and great credit is due to the architect Mr. R. Syme.

Holy Trinity Furnishings and Memorials

Masterpieces of  Needlework.

1. "The Last Supper."

On entering Holy Trinity by the main door, one's attention is immediately drawn to the tapestry picture above the altar. This beautiful piece of needlework is a reproduc­tion of da Vinci's "Last Supper", and the life-like figures and beautiful colouring are a delight to behold. As one studies the details of perspective one realises that such a true and faithful reproduction was indeed an act of worship.

This tapestry was worked many years ago, with loving care by a parishioner of St. Mary's, Mrs. George Young. With the noblest of motives, she presented it to St. Mary's, and the then vicar, Archdeacon Govett, arranged for it to be hung in the church. Incredible as it may seem to us, this picture was decried and condemned by a minority of the parishioners as a form of "Spiritualism". Some of them even announced that they would leave the parish if the picture were to remain in the church.

Mrs. Young and her husband decided that, rather than cause any dissension in the church, they would remove the picture. This they did and for many years it hung in their home. Mrs. Young died in 1897 and bequeathed her masterpiece to Holy Trinity, where it is admired and appreciated by visitors and congregation alike.

2. "By the Waters of Babylon We Sat Down and Wept".

On the north wall of the church hangs another needlework picture of outstanding merit.

Due to the skill of the worker the true feeling and atmosphere of the scene has not been lost, as sometimes happens when needle­work is substituted for the original medium. This picture was also bequeathed to Holy Trinity. It was brought to New Zealand by Octavius Carrington,the surveyor, in 1849 and to New Plymouth in 1852.

THE ALTAR was given by Archdeacon Cole and dedicated in 1903 in memory of Bishop Selwyn, Archdeacon Govett and Revs. Bolland and 13rown.

THE PULPIT is part of the old pillared pulpit of St. Mary's. The martyred Bishop Coleridge Patterson once preached from it as did most of the bishops who were in New Zealand during the last century.

THE CHALICE and Paten were given to Rev. H. Brown for use in the church at Omata. They were used also at Okato and later taken to Holy Trinity.

THE CRUETS, VEIL AND LINEN were provided by Archdeacon Cole and the Women's Guild.

THE BREAD BOX was given by the Vestry 1905. More gifts from the Cole family were the altar vases, cross and candlesticks, and in 1905 the Litany Dask.

SILVER BREAD BOX in memory of Andrew McWilliam in 1954.

THE CIBORIUM given by Miss Sybil Carn­cross as a Thanksoffering in 1967.

THE CHALICE AND PATEN given by Mrs. Kemp in memory of "James Lewis Kemp.' 1967.

THE HOUSE COMMUNION SET given by Mrs. Corney in memory of her daughter, "Ada Cederstrom." 1967.

THE REFRECTORY TABLE at main entrance given by Mrs. H. K. Maiden in memory of her husband "Howard Kenneth Maiden." 1968.

THE LECTERN was obtained from England and originally presented to St. Mary's by Bishop Selwyn, Rev. Govett, Sir Donald McLean and Messrs. Butt and Thatcher.

THE FONT, purchased in London. was the gift of the Women's Guild.

THE CARVED ALMSTER and SELWYN MEMORIAL BRASS were the gifts of Rev. Fowler and the Vestry and dedicated by Archdeacon Cole.

THE BRASS TABLETS in memory of Rev. Govett and Rev. H. Brown were presented by members of their respective families.

BELL, given by the congregation on the occa­sion of the Diamond Jubilee, 1905, was made in England and cost £25. For its size the tone was considered good, compared to that of the old one, which was often called

PRESENT EAGLE LECTERN was given in memory of the late Andrina Lee in 1955. the "Te Henui Cow Bell". This old bell was rung for the last time on Jan. 25th, 1906, being taken down that afternoon after serving two generations of Te Henui churchgoers.

MEMORIAL BRASS to Rev. Spencer, placed in church for Easter Day, 1915.

CREDENCE TABLE. Presented by Mrs Leatham as a thank offering.

FRAMED PHOTO OF Illuminated Address presented to Bishop Selwyn on his leaving New Zealand, given to Holy Trinity .and hung in the church in 1917. The Bible presented to Archdeacon Govett on his ordination was for some years kept in a glass-fronted box on the south wall of the church, near the pulpit. In 1969 the vestry decided to place this historic Bible in safe keeping. It was given on permanent loan to the Taranaki Museum and can now be seen in Richmond Cottage.

Three Memorial Windows

The two Chancel windows are in memory of soldiers of World War 11. The third window is a memorial to Archdeacon Evans. These windows were provided from part of a bequest under the will of Mr A. B. Robbie of Piopio and erected in 1953.

Two Clergy Stalls

1.      In memory of Doris Isabel Colbert, 1904-1967, in recognition of her bequest.

2.      In memory of Reginald Day, 1873-1960.

A Prayer Book for use by the clergy was presented by Mrs Day in memory of her husband's services to Holy Trinity for fortyfive years.

We have pleasure in expressing the appreciation of the vicar the Rev. .1. A. G. Day and members of the conuegations to Mrs. Mercer for her care of the interior of the church.

A group of present parishioners care for various parts of the church grounds. Special credit is given to Mrs McLeod who for  years has been responsible for colourful Hower beds which add so much to the appearance of Holy Trinity.

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Clergy who conducted services:

1898-1900 Rev. F. W. Walker. (Vicar Waitara).

1910-1918  Rev. Harrison.

1919-1931 G. H. Gavin.

1932-         H. F. Fussell.

1935-1936 C. W. Clark. Acting Vicar.

1936-1939 V. A. Bianchi

1940-1943 E. G. Wilson

1943-1948. J. Adams

1949-1951. „ D. H. A. Niblock.

 As one enters the grounds of St. Mark's through the traditional lych-gate, and sees the trees in the background. one feels that this little church has the atmosphere of peace and tranquility so often associated with worship in a village church.

For many years, the Lepperton area of the parish was under the pastoral care of the vicar of Waitara. During the early nineties of last century, services were held firstly in the military blockhouse, then in the village hall and later in the school house. When the Methodist church was built it was shared for a time with the Anglicans. In 1899, a site for an Anglican church was given by the Lepper family. Five parishioners of the district cleared and prepared the section for the new building. They were: Messrs. Atkinson, Crowe, Little, Percy Honnor, and Messenger. This was opened free of debt and dedicated in 1901.

The first marriage in the church was that of Will. Paul Stegmann to Hilda Emma Bow­man, on Dec. 7th, 1911.

Lepperton remained part of the Waitara Parochial District until 1951. In that year. owing to a shortage of clergy, parish boun­daries were altered to enable the number of clergy available to cover a greater area.

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