Guardian of the Valley since 1854, nestled in the heart of the Hutt Valley, Christ Church is a delightful reminder of our past and a living testament to a spirit of community that has endured ever since the Church was built over 150 years ago.
Christ Church is Wellington's oldest church, this tiny wooden building has been a place of worship, celebration and refuge and a final resting place for many who have lived and worked in Wellington and the Valley.
In 1853, Taita had just over 30 households. Many of these pioneer families are buried in the churchyard. Their names - Avery, Boulcott, Buck, Daysh, Harris, Hooper, Hirst, Kemble, Mabey, Peck, Percy, Riddler, Welch and Matangi (the son of a signatory to the Treaty of Waitangi) are still well known in the Hutt Valley.
Christ Church was the catalyst for Parliament deciding to pass the Historic Places Act (1954) and the later formation of the Historic Places Trust. This was the first time New Zealanders had lobbied to save an historic building. The Church and graveyard are now both a memorial to the faith and determination of the settler families and local Maori and to the vision of those who have worked for its preservation.
Christ Church is still a consecrated church and is frequently used for, weddings, baptisms and funerals, in addition to special services arranged by the Preservation Society. The church was internally damaged by fire in 1989 and subsequently restored to its original specifications. The cost was met by insurance and extensive fundraising carried out by the Preservation Society.
Christ Church is listed with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust as a Category 1 historic place.
For more information contact:
Christ ChurchTaitaPh: 0800 282 482Fax: +64 4 475 6102info@christ-church.org.nzwww.christ-church.org.nz
This is as close to wilderness and as far south as you can possibly access by car. Orongorongo Station is accessible, rugged coastal property but with modern comforts.
The East by West ferry service runs regularly from Queens Wharf, Wellington to the Eastern Bays with some sailings going via Somes Island.
The Angus Inn offers 73 elegant low rise rooms and suites which boast the tranquility of a lush green garden setting offering enticing, spacious and stylish well appointed facilities for business and leisure guests alike.
The 14th Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games will run in Lower Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand from the 2nd – 9th March 2012. With over 40 sports for Police & Emergency Services personnel to choose from.
Naenae Olympic Pool is a public 50m indoor pool complex with a 100m enclosed waterslide called the 'zoom tube' as well as a zip line, drop zone, diving boards, sauna, sunbed and gymnasium.
