Puketapu Parish

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 31, 30 October 1937, Page 13

Puketapu Parish

RICHLY ENDOWED " BY FR1ENDS A Splendid Record oi . Progress WORK IN THE DISTRICT An occasion of importance to the Anglican Church in Hawkc 's Bay is the twenty-fifth anniversary of the constitution of the Puketapu parochial church district this month'. Constituted by the Waiapu Synod in 191'2, a live interest has been taken in the work oi the church by the settlers, who include inany highly-esteemed . families. well known throughout Hawke's Bay. The .district embraces a wide area includiug Puketapu/ Rissington, Patoka, Puketitiri, Okawa, Tunanui, Mangawhare, Whanawhana, Matapiro^- Maraekakaho and Kereru. ' . Prior to 1912. the district, except Maraekakaho and Kereru, was inchided in all Saints Paris.h, Taradale, and Anglican Church work in this area dates back to the late' sixties. A most interesting account of the ministry carried out in the early daya is related in an interview by the Rev. H: W. Klingender, who at one time was stationed at Puketapu. Before the diyision of the. district the need of a separate church w.as f elt and in 1910 the present St. Michael and All Angels' Church at Puketapu was built largely as ihe resillt'of th'e ejforts of the Rev. Davidson. This pretty church amid its beautiful sufroundihgs overlooking the Tutaekuri river is the admiration of the many parishioners to whom it has been an inspiration. Bishop Averill, now- Archbishop and Primate 'of New.Zealand, presided over the first meeting of ^arishidners ."of the new district, which was largely attended. The following were appointed the first officers of the church:— -Vicar's warden^ Mr W. Shrimpton, of . Matapiro; peoples'. warden, Mr'J. Bicknell, of Puketapu; vestry, Messrs A. H. Russell (now Sir Andrew), H. A. Coleman, H. G. Ballaatyne, H. P. Kay, Evan Davis, P.- A. Price, W. H. ,Roilf F. Hutchinson junr., and G-. Moore. Mr Coleman was appointed the first Syno.dsman.