1877: St Mary’s Upokongaro
August 8, 2025
By AHNZ
St Mary’s Anglican Church at Upokongaro (est. 1877) is being deconsecrated this Sunday. Christians are in retreat from Wanganui’s longest-operating church.
Only 5 years ago the church was given extensive repairs and repainting and is now more accessible than ever thanks to a new bridge. The parish has agreed to either sell or gift the church to another party. It may fall into the hands of deviants now or a rival faith as so many surrendered churches so.
St Mary’s is distinctive for its age and special stained glass windows. Also, for it’s unique 3-sided steeple that is clad out of old kerosine tins (tbc) which were probably used to fuel boats up the Wanganui River passing by.
“The spire had been waterblasted and the painting was expected to take five hours. The Tong business has painted the whole church. Painter Mark Geill was up in the air to paint the cross atop St Mary’s Church in Upokongaro. Painting the exterior is part of a bigger renovation project, Friends of St Mary’s chairman John Dalziel said. The stained-glass windows have been re-cemented, and rotten weatherboards and spouting replaced by Littlefair Building. The group had also planned a toilet in the grounds”- Crane needed to reach spire of St Mary’s Church at Upokongaro near Whanganui, Whanganui Chronicle (2020)
“St Mary’s Anglican Church at Upokongaro. Built in 1877 Also made the steeple out of kerosine tins” – Perez Charles, Pintrest
“The distinctive feature of St Mary’s is its unusual spire which is designed to rise from four corners at the base to three giving the impression that the spire is leaning. The church in its rural setting overlooking the Wanganui River is a landmark and a symbol of pioneer faith.” – Heritage New Zealand
“The church is associated with the growth and development of the Anglican church in Upokongaro…The first service at St Mary’s was held on 11 November 1877 and in July 1879 the church was consecrated by the Bishop of Wellington, Octavius Hadfield.” – Blue Plaques
“The church was designed by Whanganui architect Edward Morgan and built in 1877 by local builder John Randal. The building and the section cost £344, local residents raising their share of the money through subscriptions and a successful concert at John Kennedy’s store…The bell, cast in London in 1896, still rings out today. The church has been re-roofed several times and the steeple repaired in 1953, requiring another major fundraising effort by local residents and a successful Wanganui Savage Club concert. ” – Museum: Wonky church steeple a curiosity for visitors, Wanganui Chronicle (2018)
“A little bit sad to see, especially after all of the work we helped do to fundraise several years back for painting and critical works.” – Motor Vessel Wairua, Facebook (2025)
“Friends of St Mary’s chairman John Dalziel said the church was being deconsecrated because of the lack of attendance in recent years. Dalziel said the average attendance of 20-30 people five years ago had reduced to as few as 12 people in 2025, and the average age of the congregation was increasing.” – Whanganui Chronicle (8 Aug, 2025)
Such a shame that these Boomers couldn’t pass on what their ancestors had paid for and built. Their real job was to keep their parish going for the next generation not renovate the real estate so that Bishop Justin Duckworth in Wellington can get a good price selling the property.
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Image ref. Steve Bicknell, newzealandstocklibrary.co.nz
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