It began with a local farmer donating an acre of land and his daughter riding her horse across the district to raise donations for a “Lower Valley” church.
Burnside Church in Pirinoa celebrated its 150th year on Sunday, 11 May – now a community treasure and enduring symbol of a settlement which began 30 years before it opened in May 1875.
Burnside Church timeline (from: “The Burnside Church 1875 – 2025”)
1844 Settlers began to arrive in the so-called Lower Valley area.
1867 Rev. John Ross of Masterton Presbyterian Church began an itinerant ministry staying and holding services in runholders’ homes.
1867 Feb 7 Donald Sinclair purchased his first block of land at Burnside and his final purchase on 8 November 1870.
1870s Sarah Sinclair, (daughter of Donald and his wife Katherine), rode round the district collecting donations to build a church. Built for 250 Pounds by local builder James Tweedale to a design by architect John King of Masterton. It seats 120 people.
1875 May 15 The church was dedicated by Rev James McKee – ordained as pastor for the district immediately prior to the ceremony.
1875 May 18 The Wairarapa Standard reported that “the Lower Valley Presbyterian Church was officially dedicated on Sunday May 15th by Rev. J. McKee.”
1879 Donald Sinclair conveyed the land by Deed to the trustees – “to permit the said land to be forever appropriated for a place of public worship, school houses, manse and other buildings and a graveyard.”
1884 Dec 31 Wairarapa Standard: “Rev David Fulton, Presbyterian Minister of Masterton will preach on Sunday next, Jan 4 1885 at Burnside Church in the morning at 11:00.” Services were held fortnightly.
1887 April 30 Wairarapa Daily Times: “MARRIED…….Sheath-Hume – On the 27th instant at Burnside Church, by the Rev. W T Western, Francis Aloysuis, fourth son of J B Sheath Esq., late of Canterbury, N.Z., to Agnes seventh daughter of P. Hume Esq., of Tauanui Lower Valley”
Late 1800s the organ, believed to be a gift from the McMaster family, was played for years by Sybil Sutherland, grand-daughter of Donald and Katherine and mother of Jean Laing. Jean recalled that the children were allowed to play outside climbing trees during the 2:00 pm sermon.
1912 Katherine Sinclair and 1914 Donald Sinclair were the first to be interred in the Church cemetery immediately next door to the Church. Ann Sinclair carried on in her parent’s faith and undertook to repair and maintain the Church at her own expense. She passed away in 1958 at the age of 96.
Early 1900s a new iron roof replaced the original shingles, but the nails penetrated the dressed tongue and groove match lining. A ceiling was installed to cover the roof structure and rafters.
“Sadly, for the next 45 years we don’t have a lot of information due to Depression and war.”
1932 WEDDING Dominion newspaper: The wedding took place at Burnside Church, Pirinoa, on
Wednesday afternoon, of Phoebe, younger daughter of Mr and Mrs Arthur Martin, Otaraia to Charles Robert, son of the late Mr C Bidwill and Mrs
Bidwill, Wellington.
1943 FUNERAL Wairarapa Times-Age: “The friends of the late Mrs Sarah Sutherland are invited to attend her funeral tomorrow (Saturday) July 3, 1943 at the Burnside Church, Pirinoa, where a service will be held at 2:00 pm.”
1947 WEDDING Elizabeth Te Whaiti (known as Betty Mellish) Married Wally Mellish at the Burnside Church. Betty’s wedding veil and train were made from a parachute brought back from World War II by Wally.
1957 Oct 3: Application to The District Land Registrar by the Presbyterian Church Property Trustees for the land to vest in them. The Certificate of Title 768/80 dated 27 Nov 1957 was issued with the Presbyterian Church Property Trustees as registered proprietors.
1967 Presbyterian Church Session, based in Martinborough, agreed to the Church of England holding “alternative fortnights” services in Burnside Church. In 1979 this privilege was accorded to the Catholic Church with services held monthly.
1974 Alex Weatherstone was instrumental in having the church repiled on concrete with the help of Ted Richardson, builder and other locals including Dougal Sutherland.
1976 DEATH The Press: “Sutherland, James Gilbert on January 2 1976. Service at Burnside Church, Pirinoa, Monday, at 2:00 pm.”
1981 Christening of Hamish Sutherland, (great great grandson of Donald and Katherine Sinclair).
1988 “Sadly the chalice and silver communion tray were stolen from Burnside Church in a break-in.”
1990 June 3 A thanks-giving interdenominational Service officiated by His Excellency Governor General Sir Paul Reeves who unveiled a memorial Historic Places Trust plaque.
2010 On 21 February, a service and meeting were held to decide the future direction of the Church. There was a very strong presence of locals and descendants and the general feeling was that the church is an integral part of the community who wish to maintain and keep the Church.
2010 May 16 a service celebrated 135 years since the Dedication of Burnside Church. Rev. Geraldine Coats welcomed everyone, Dr Rev. Jim Veitch, Archdeacon Rev. May Croft, Rev. Glenys Hansen and Father Don Morrison all partook in the service. There were readings and reflections from Anne Dodd, Douglas Lanford, Vanessa Tipoki, Andrew Sutherland and Heather Atkinson. Hamish Sutherland played the bagpipes before and after the Service.
2014 May 15 Heritage NZ reported: “Burnside Church was built in 1875 and survives in near original condition as a marker of the colonial settler community and Presbyterianism in rural New Zealand. It has historical, spiritual and social importance in the lower South Wairarapa for its period of operation as the Presbyterian Church in the district…. Burnside Church has spiritual and social significance.”
2015 May the 140th Celebrations took place. “Due to wet weather celebrations were moved to Pirinoa Hall.”
2023 the Memorial Path came to fruition, created by members of the Burnside Church Committee.
2025 Services are held at the church, always at Christmas and as agreed between the local minister and the community.
The Booklet notes: “150 Years of the Burnside Church is quite remarkable _ an occasion well worth celebrating. Thanks must foremost go to Donald and Katherine Sinclair and then to all that have come since them, for their contributions in whatever small way. The Burnside Church is a true icon of a community spirit, faith and strength.”
