Topic: St Georges Church - Beginnings
Topic type:
Historic origins for Centennial and Parishioner memoirs
Beginnings
"In 1884 the Government and Maori chiefs set agreed borders to the King Country which enclosed
the present towns of Otorohanga, Te Kuiti, Pio Pio, Ohura, Taumarunui, Ohakune, Raetihi, Tokaanu, Turangi and reached down the Wanganui River to within ten miles or so of Wanganui itself.
There seems to have been an old Marist mission on the Mokau River, but this was no more than a memory when the Mill Hill Fathers started their work among the Maoris in 1887.
One of their first Mission stations was at Tokaanu, and it was natural for them to use this mission as a starting point for evangelization through the upper King Country.
"As early as 1907, Tom Were recalls seeing the Maori Mission priest riding his white horse down through the Mangaohae Gorge , en route for Kawhia" (Ref: East of Maungamangero - Golden Jubilee).
.... The larger part of the upper King Country also lay in the Wellington Diocese, but nobody seemed to worry much about diocesan boundaries back then.
By 1910, due to Mrs Halley of Moeatoa approaching Father Lynch of Kihikihi, Mass was said at the Were's home with Halleys, Kinnanes, Goldfinches, Frank Dunphy, Gerry and Bill Dowling present. Later Father Brennan arrived. He was just out from Ireland and earned the reputation of being the worst rider after capsizing a gig in the Mangaotaki Gorge. He said mass three or four times a year at Robert Were's and in 1912 he married Kathleen to Ned Buckley at the house.From 1915 Father Finn came and traveled by car. After Mass, he was known to enjoy a pig hunt. Fathers Flynn, Hunt, Dore, and Shaw continued to say Mass at the Buckleys home in Waitanguru (Ref: " East of Maungamangero"and Te Kuiti Golden Jubilee 1910 -1960 Margaret McQuilkin)
The first parishes to be established were those on the Main Trunk railway line with Taumarunui being the first of these...in 1908..... Father J.A. Molloy as their first parish priest (and) was then the only priest between Tokaanu and Hamilton.
In 1909 the opening of Te Awamutu parish brought the Church in the north 20 miles nearer. In 1915 Te Kuiti became a separate parish (from Taumarunui) which included Otorohanga (until January 1946) and Pio Pio . Its first priest was Father R Finn.
At this time there were churches at Aria built in 1908 and in Otorohanga built in 1916
ST GEORGE'S PARISH
The Diocesan Archives contain a number of correspondence between the Bishop's Office and legal document copies pertaining to the securing of leasehold and later land purchases plus land sale.
These include Balance Sheets, Property returns and reports which can be viewed in detail at the Diocesan Archives in Hamilton.
Unlike the church building at Pio Pio there does not appear to be any building copies or
information about the architect or builder . It may well be that there is someone who is not aware of this project who could supply the information and update the section accordingly. No parish
or CWL Minute Books are available.
1908 Aug 9 Station served from Kihikihi. No church or presbytery. Number of Catholics not given
mass on weekday once a month by arrangement. LEN 19-5/14
1909 Meeting of Catholics at Te Kuiti to arrange for a church: Msgr Gillan, Mrs Molloy, Tigar
Messrs Cotter, T. Brennan. Bevege, Glynn, Wash, Dougherty, Mrs Sawery and Miss Moylan
were present. One and three quarters acres were to be purchased from Mr Brennan for L400.
1910 May 13 Molloy to Gillan. Lightheart and Langerwerf have ... (had land given by Maori) to
erect a Catholic Church in Te Kuiti. Has seen plans, would cost L400 or L500. To be for
Europeans as well as Maori. No need for two churches in Te Kuiti. The proposed site is on a
hill near the police station, most beautiful site in town........ Will take a long time to pay
off L400 debt and interest on section bought for "our church"
May 16th Gillan to Molloy The opening of the native church at Aria brings in a way
the priest nearer to Paemako and so Te Kuiti.
July 20 Molloy to Gillan. Tenders for new church. Te Kuiti closed July 6th building to be
finished 10 weeks from that date............ difficulties in use of hall.
1912 March 24. Opening of Church
Patron: St George
Advice that the church was placed under the patronage of St George by an early Dutch
Mill Hill priest was probably that of Rev Fr A. Hoherhoek MHM (who is listed on the
1889 Diocesan Council with Te Kuiti beside his name) (Diocese of Auckland Bishop John
Luck) comes from former Mill Hill Fathers -
There are two St Georges - St George of Antioch (Feast day 23 April) and St George of Amastris
(Feast Day 6th May)- both of whom enjoy celebrated status in north and eastern Europe. Both were
Archbishops who defended the Faith in word and deed in the early Church - St George of Antioch was
present at the second Nicean Council in AD787
The base of the St George statue which long resided in our presbytery is proudly labeled "Mill
Hill Fathers" another lasting reminder of their contribution. He is now regilded and silvered and resides in
the church.
1913 September 23 Committee decided to erect a residence for Fr Brennan (stationed at
Taumarunui) at a cost 0f L300
1914 R.J.Cotter ("Uncle Dick" to Noeline Dempsey) Sec Te Kuiti Committee to Gillan re land
sale and leasehold site purchases
1914 September 14 Committee asked for a resident priest at Te Kuiti
1915 January 7 Father Finn present at first committee meeting. Decided to erect presbytery.
1920 The first appeal for a convent and school in Te Kuiti was made by Father O'Flynn
in a letter dated 27 September 1920 to the Josephite Provincial Sister Laurencia
He writes: "This parish was ripe for a school some four years ago, but by some
misfortune, ..........the asking of the Sisters to come was put off... The consequence is that
we cannot claim all of the children that should be number amongst us unless something is
done towards getting a Catholic school we shall go well back in this parish. I have put
this to the Bishop....... and he has asked me to make a strong appeal to you that you
may endeavour to secure a community of Sisters to start here in February of next year
1921.
...........What I have put to the people is this - the presbytery will be given over as the
convent ......... as regards the upkeep of the nuns and what the parish would have to give,
I could see you when I go to Auckland next. ....... When you write to the Mother General
.......you will be able to (pass on) the absolute necessity of the nuns here."
Sister Laurencia in a letter to Mother General on 27th January 1921
"Father O'Flynn of Te Kuiti has just called. His school will not be ready at midwinter
but he is most anxious that the Sisters should come and prepare the children for the
Sacraments. ..............He asked if there was any chance of getting Sister Bertha Sister
Bertha was teaching in that district and nursed during the influenza epidemic and she
is highly thought of there; in fact Father says much of the Catholicity there is due to
her example.
10th June 1921 Father O'Flynn writes to Mother General: " ....we will forward the fares of the
Sisters as soon as we hear from you what expenses we have to defray. We are very busy
trying to get socials etc going to have our school etc looking well
"Since the parish was too poor to provide a new convent, Father O'Flynn vacated the presbytery and moved into a rented house fifty metres along from the church
The parish lacked a school for the first few months but nevertheless, the first 60 pupils were enrolled and classes were held in the Church. Nearly half of these were non Catholic, but the proportion gradually lessened until the school was serving only Catholics.
Sisters Alphonsus Mary Jones, Pacificus Buchanan (Music teacher), Marie Brown, Serenus Comesky and Cletus were the first of many ..... until the school was fully staffed by the religious community until 1969. (There is also mention of Sister Alphonsus having sold bunches
of violets to make ends meet)
The new school which was blessed and opened by Bishop Cleary on 4th September 1921,
comprised only two classrooms with the corridor soon converted into a third"(Ref Golden Jubilee)
17th March 1922
A letter to Bishop Liston from Fr O'Flynn: In forwarding these statements I have to add that I have not included Pio Pio and Otorohanga. The debt on the Pio Pio section at present is about L60 ........... Otorohanga is carrying a debt of L400 since the church was erected. When I took over I found that one of the guarantors was paying the interest and rates so I was asked to put it on a business footing and leave it to them to manage. The books are submitted to me every Sunday
I have not given debt on the Te Kuiti part of the parish. When I came to it the accounts were very complicated. There were three accounts. The original L1,000 was cleared by a bazaar. Two other accounts in the parish's name were wiped out by the money taken from a trust account and
L204.11.08 from the trust account authorized by Dr Cleary."
4th March 1921 notes "My Lord, The enclosed is the only formula
I can find anywhere in connection with the Stations of the Cross and it presupposes that the necessary faculties have been given to me."
31.10.22 A letter from Fr O Flynn to Bishop Liston refers to correspondence from Te Kuiti Borough Council notes that the section "is the swamp which is a tremendous drain on this parish. It cost in rates L17.10.00 and it does not contribute a penny towards the rates nor is likely to be of any value"
November 22nd 1922 (Fr O'Flynn to Bishop Liston) "The section adjoining the church property is being offered to us for what price I know not yet but what is important is the fact that if e are not able to buy we shall lose what would complete the property here very nicely. I took the libert of asking a person in this parish if she would be so good as to let us have L400 for five years
Free of interest and I got a very favourable reply. If we got that, the success of a bazaar next year would pay for this property and I might mention we would also have to consider the freeholding of this section. It is a big undertaking as the parish stands, but absolutely necessary
and I submit it to your Lordship before I mention it to the Committee or any of the people"
27th September 1923 Sections 3 & 4 Blk XV11 Te Kuiti N.T. re transfer of sections from
J.F.P. Howden to Right Reverend Bishop Cleary Auckland Diocese.
12th March 1924 (Fr O'Flynn to Bishop Cleary) Ï am forwarding ......... the leases of two sections
which Dr Liston authorized me to buy as a site for the convent which will be built at some future date. The two sections which comprise one acre are most convenient to the church being separated only by Queen Street.......... I have been somewhat successful in getting a buyer for the section over the river - namely Section 26 Te Village Settlement."
25th February 1927 (Bishop Cleary to Fr M.Hunt) "You are herebu authorized to purchase the section of vacant land in te Kuiti adjoining the church section on which the Sisters of St. Joseph are now living (formerly the Presbytery) ...approved by me being the sum of L56.
14th March 1927 Correspondence regarding "THE Arbitration Act 1908 and in the Matter of
Lease No 3283 ( and 3284 ) Section 3 (and 4) XV11 Te Kuiti Native Township form
The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Lessor to Henry William Cleary, Lessee
Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland advising an Arbitrator to ' determine the rent and value
of improvements in accordance with the terms and conditions ....."
7th October 1927 (Bishop Cleary to Father Eccleton) advises : Annual rent L5 Improvements L4
ST GEORGE'S TE KUITI PARISH PRIESTS
1915 - 1919 Rev F Finn
1919 - 1924 Rev P. O'Flynn
1924 - 1930 Rev M Hunt
1930 - 1934 Rev W Dore
1934 - 1940 Rev M Shore
1940 - 1944 Rev M McCormack
1944 - 1950 Rev W Sheely
1950 - 1968 Rev P Sheerin
1968 - 1975 Rev P Curtin
1975 - 1979 Rev P Gray
1979 - 1981 Rev M Drumm
1981 - 1985 Rev A Aherne MHM
1985 - 1989 Rev S O'Brien MHM
1989 - 2001 Rev P Flannery MHM
2001 - 2003 Rev P Kinsella SM
Rev H Hekiara SM (Maori Mission)
2003 - 2006 Rev P Carde SM
2006 - 2013 Rev E Kennedy
2013 - Current
Ref' :Catholic Archives (All relevant documents pertaining to Waikato Diocese were housed in Auckland Diocese until this year - 2011 - both prior to and after the establishment of our Diocese
with Bishop Gaines as our first leader. Rehousing of archives, needless to say, were not an initial priority, but now surviving documents can now be viewed at Chanel Diocesan offices in Grey St Hamilton with Mr David Beirne as very capable custodian and mine of information.
Ref: The Catholic Educator
Edited John Gilmary Shea LLD
Imprature: Michael Augustine
Australian Publisher: Samuel McCardle Print 1891 (Loaned by Ted and Gertrude Steele)
DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND
Bishop - The RIGHT REV. JOHN EDMUND LUCK, O.S.B., D.D., born 18th March 1840
Consecrated 13th August 1882
Private Secretary REV D. OSMOND EGAN, D.D., O.S.B.
Vicar General VERY> REV. JAMES MAHONEY O.S.F., St Johns Church, Parnell, Auckland
DIOCESAN COUNCIL
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Very Rev. J Mahoney, V.G. Very Rev. A.M. Sullivan, O.S.B. |
Very Rev. James Paul Very Rev J.C. Downey, O.S.B. |
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Becker Very Rev . John ..... Ohinemutu Downey Rev. J. C. ..... Auckland Egan Rev Michael Tauranga Egan Rev D.O., O.S B Auckland Fox Rev J. A. O.S.B. Hamilton Gillan Rev George Auckland Hackett Rev J Auckland Hallum Rev S Auckland Hoherhoek Rev A MHM Te Kuiti Kehoe Rev J.P. Gisborne Kehoe Rev T Te Aroha Lannuzel Rev R Opotoki Lenihan Rev G.M. Auckland Luck Rev F.A. Kihikihi Macdonald Very Rev J Hokianga |
MacDonald Very Rev . W. ........ Panmure Madau Rev J Matata Mahoney Rev W Puhoi Mahoney Rev J. O.S.F Auckland M'Manus Rev M. J. Te Kopura Murphy Rev D Coromandel Murphy Rev J Pukekohe O'Gara Rev A.E. O.S.B Auckland O'Hara Rev M D Otahuhu O'Reilly Rev P Thames Paul Rev J Onehunga Smiers Rev J W Taupo Sullivan Very Rev J.A. O.S.B. Auckland Thomas Rev V Auckland Wissel Rev R O.S.B. Auckland |
Rev Gillan is the author and recipient of correspondence between the new committee and the Auckland Diocese as listed in the Beginnings time frame, and Father Hoherhoek is the Dutch Mill Hill priest mentioned in relation to the name of St George .
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Marist Religious assistants in our Parish: Sister M Frances Anna Remnant .S.M.S.M Sister Frances - on leave from her Order to care for her parents, Norm and Marg - both long time parishioners - was also Parish Assistant to Fathers Flannery, M.H.M Kinsella and Pa Hemi then Carde - all Marist Fathers. Sister's long term association with St Joseph's as a pupil and parishioner of St George's before becoming a Marist Sister and utilizing her nursing expertise for others, has been a source of pride and a 'personal' aspect to Missionary Support for us. Sister is remembered for her beautiful singing, talented organist and guitarist , and overhaul of the parish OHP sheets into categorized ringbinders. She also converted the beautiful antique embroidery from some vestments (brought out of the Mapiu church when it closed) into some eyecatching lectern banners. After the death of her mother, Sister was posted to Africa where she has been working with the Sisters to date. We expect to see her at the Centennary in March before she goes on to USA Brother Pius Brother arrived with Fathers Paddy and Hemi. Brother's cheerful disposition, practical expertise and spiritual imput and example were all valued during his stay at St George's.
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Known Vocations: Father Raymond Selby, Brother Arthur (Peter Horan), Sister Mary Frances Anna Remnant, Sister Juliana (Jeanette Massey) Sister Mary John (Eileen Rooney), Sister Basil (Colleen Dempsey)
Sister Bernard (Patricia Atkins) Sister Peter (Eileen Atkins) Father Henley, Father Handforth
8.
