Waiouru to get new Church

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 438, 27 May 1992, Page 8

Waiouru to get new Church

A church has been found in Ongarue, 21 km North of Taumarunui, to replace St George's Chapel. In February 1988, Waiouru's St Georges;

Chapel and the day care centre were burnt down by an arsonist. The chapel was uninsured, which was standard, practice for all defence buildings.

Colonel Sinclair said at the time Defence could not replace the church as there were many other higher priorities for Defence money. Over the past two years a search has been conducted to find an historical church, somewhere in the district close to Waiouru, that could be purchased and moved to Waiouru, as a replacement. "At long last a church was found in Ongarue. The funding for the purchase of the church will come from accumulated Non Public Monies within Waiouru," said Colonel Sinclair. "It is planned to move the church in the next few weeks from Ongarue to a position in the South East corner of Firth Field. The church will be centred with Mt Ruapehu framed behind the alter. It is intended that the church become a garrison church for the use by all denominations and to become a memorial to military and individuals." "In the long term it is planned that the windows be replaced with commemorative stained glass. The first possible

sponsor could be the Regular Force Cadet School," Colonel Sinclair said. The Ongarue church St Mark's Church, was built in 1939. Land was donated for the Waiouru church site' by Jessie Otto, to remember her son, Lance Corporal Otto who died in action during World War One. Lois Mills, an Ongarue resident, said services were held at St Marks once a month for years up until about three years ago, when numbers attending tappered off. She said before Christmas the community tried to re-

establish monthly services again, but very few showed any interest. About 50 people from the district and surrounding areas attended the recent deconsecration of St Mark's Church. Bishop Rodger Herft said it was always sad to deconsecrate a building but he said he was pleased to hand over the keys to our friends in Waiouru who would love it, cherish it, worship it and he said the church goes with good heart and spirit. He then encouraged members of the congregation to recite memories and experiences of the church over the last 50 years. Rev

Ron Cotton, one of Waiouru's chaplains, thanked the Ongarue people for allowing Waiouru to have the church. Waiouru needs a place where soldiers can feel at home in a spiritual sense and he said the Church will be well used by all chaplains and will be well looked after. A St Mark's book rest was donated to Lois Mills who plans to start a museum in Ongarue and the old step into the church was given to a resident who played the organ for years and who was, in recent years, sometimes the only member who would attend a service.