Caring for churches

By Julie Guest

Today I share with you a dilemma that on one hand is specific to the people of St John’s Anglican Parish of Te Awamutu, and on the other, is common to many churches and communities in New Zealand and the world.

The Parish of St John is responsible for the maintenance of the two historic churches known as Old St John’s and St Paul’s, Hairini, or Rangiaowhia.

They were built in the 1850’s and Old St John’s is believed to be the oldest stillstanding building in Waikato and St Paul’s is a couple of years younger. Both are Category One historic buildings.

As many of you will know there is increasing interest in the history of Waikato, and in particular the events at Rangiaowhia and Orakau.

These two churches are an important part of those stories, being deeply involved in the events.

Their existence helps people to see and touch something their forebears built, gathered and worshipped in.

When they enter and sit in a pew, people can sense the presence of the many who have come before and begin to imagine how they felt as the events of the Waikato land wars played out.

These churches remind people of that history and in doing so, invite visitors to contemplate their contribution to righting the injustices that still exist from that era.

The two churches are also deeply sacred places.

People entering the buildings are often struck by the sense of peace and of the holy presence of God.

That is not surprising when you consider the many hours of prayer, the funerals, weddings, and baptisms that have taken place here - people’s hopes, joy, and despair; expressed in these churches because of their faith in the God who in Jesus, has promised to be with them through thick or thin.

So, what is the dilemma? It is that Old St John’s and St Paul’s need costly maintenance that is beyond the financial capability of the parish. (We have applied for grants from various places and received some help, but it is nowhere near enough.)

But it is also that even though they are such special places, they are still only buildings. Is it right for us as the Parish of St John – a group of people who seek to live as Jesus taught us to – to spend such large amounts of money on buildings, especially at a time when so any people are in need of somewhere to live, or help to afford food for their families? Shouldn’t any money the parish has go to caring for those who need it?

For me the answer comes down to this. Yes, followers of Christ are absolutely called to care, offering spiritual and practical care. Old St John’s and St Paul’s stand as reminders of a past which still has a great deal to teach us all, where justice and restitution is still needed.

So the people of St John’s Parish will continue to care for the historic churches as best we can so that they continue to invite people into a knowledge of local history, to encounter God and to contemplate what God would have them do in response to that history.