The Old Church, Weddings and Functions in Napier

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comments 5

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  Leanne Durham

  :: 30 April 2018 22:07:48

  Lovely outdoors setting

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  Lynda Breeds

  :: 06 March 2018 19:02:53

  Great place and service and food

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  Matthew Banham

  :: 14 January 2018 21:31:51

  Lovely venue. Very pretty setting.

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  V.Shreyas Yadav

  :: 27 November 2017 19:08:15

  A large boarding and day school was built on the Taradale side of the church in 1872 and this flourished for many years. It was intended to be a boys equivalent of St Joseph's Maori Girls' College but gradually became a co-educational primary day school which was later staffed by the Sisters of St Joseph and the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions. Settler numbers were growing in Meeanee so in October 1874 a contract was let to enlarge the church. The existing church was cut in two and a transept placed between the two parts. The entrance was moved around to the east of the new section. The additions cost 626 pounds. Mass was held each Sunday at 11am with Vespers on Sunday evenings at 7pm. A large new residence for the priests and brothers was built in 1880 on the Meeanee side of the church. This building was later converted to become a seminary for the training of priests and because of repeated floods was moved to the Greenmeadows hill in 1910 where it still functions today as the Mission Estate Winery. With the arrival of more priests and students at the Scholasticate, or seminary, the church needed to be enlarged once again in 1892. Robert Lamb was the architect and Mr Chegwidden was the contractor. The building was lengthened to 75 ft and widened to 46 ft. The old sanctuary became the vestry and the nave was enlarged to 50ft by 37ft and was 30ft high. It was divided from the aisles by pillars of rimu with arches filled with ornamental traceries. The gallery for the choir was completely new. The building was over six times larger than the former church. There was a grand opening by Archbishop Redwood in December 1892 which was reported extensively in the local newspaper.

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  David Palfreyman

  :: 14 August 2017 18:34:35

  Uniquely beautiful venue. Once a traditional church, this historic building now has a little bit of funk. A huge chandelier takes center stage and lovely gardens surrounded by vines frame the outlook. The little decor touches in the church itself makes this place a bit special. Pity they don't operate a restaurant here anymore but if you're planning an event this is a very cool place for it.