The sprung matai floor at The Old Church in Mapua has carried nearly a century of footsteps, from wedding parties and Saturday night dances to Kids’n’Koffee. Now the community landmark is for sale.
Robyn Weller was married there more than 30 years ago and remembers the scarlet leaves of the old oak tree in the park next door in all its autumn glory. She went on to help with Sunday school and youth groups before the Hills Community Church was built over the road.
“It has a lot of memories for me. It was the beginning of married life for me when I moved into the district. We raised four sons and became very much part of the community through the church.”
Ian Smith was minister for more than 20 years, when the congregation exceeded 100 people from the community. He says the building has been well used by the community over the years, including by the district health nurse for a time and for school holiday programmes. Kids’n’Koffee is the only group still using The Old Church until it transitions over the road to the Hills Community Church.
“It’s been a place of connection. The school used to use it when the school was smaller, and dancing clubs liked the sprung floor for Saturday night dances. It has an amazing connection with the community.”
The Wells family donated the section in 1919 for a Presbyterian church to be built and the family also donated neighbouring Aranui Park to the community. Costs delayed the build for a number of years, but the community got on board with fundraising, including the Ladies Guild which raised funds through garden parties, produce sales and a concert. By 1928 the church was built and it opened its doors to the community. Its original organ now resides in the church at Founders Park in Nelson.
While the building has been added to over the decades, the original church that has become a hall remains intact with its braced ceiling, wainscotting on the walls and matai floor.
Marion Cross from Bayleys is marketing The Old Church and has her own memories of joining Kids’n’Koffee more than 30 years ago to make connections in the community.
“There are many people who have been touched by this building. But it’s come to the point where maintenance costs outweigh the use.”
Hills Community Church minister Emily Holmes says it has been a long process to ensure all possible connections with the church, including iwi, church and community, were identified before deciding to sell The Old Church.
“We recognised it’s a very special place and wanted to explore where there was any connections with it. We’ve had a lot of conversations and meetings, so (the sale) isn’t made light of.”
Funds from the sale will go toward continuing work within the Hills Community Church.
The church on its 1012 square metre section is being tendered, and Marion says the first open home drew good interest from people considering a range of options, including converting it to a home if that proves possible.
She thinks it would also make a great backpackers for cyclists on the Tasman’s Great Taste Trail, complete with an e-bike charging station.
