Some came in solid tweed jackets, others in tartan kilts and ties, muted trousers and bright dresses to launch their 150-year-old and fondly-named Burnside Church into its next 150 years of services.
The tiny country church was packed with parishioners and well-wishers, with the overflow seated in a marquee close by.
Then the hymns, Bible readings, prayers and the “Address” of the event rang out.
Three pipers in full rig – Hamish, Liam and Amelia Sutherland – descendants from one of the founding farming families, welcomed worshippers and further regaled the flock as the service ended.
Then it was on to Pirinoa Hall for “Afternoon Tea” as the Order of Service ordained.
The area now named Pirinoa was, back in the mid-19th century, widely known as Lower Valley.
Originators of the church were Donald and Katherine Sinclair who donated one acre of land. The original family was represented at the celebration by Gillian Sinclair, a member who had flown in from Brisbane for the event.
Anglican vicar May Croft represented other denominations including Catholics, both of whom
have regularly used the tiny rural church as their place of worship.
She noted Lower Valley was one of the first New Zealand communities to have separate denominations worship in the same building and it was “an absolute privilege to represent the Anglican community … who meet here once a month.
“This is a beautiful icon of this community and all of what has gone before,” she said.
Parishioner Brian Weatherstone recalled the history of the site and building, describing it as “an icon of community spirit.” Rev Leanne Munro began by indicating that St Luke’s Church in Auckland’s Remuera was due to celebrate it’s own 150th year the following Satuday (May 17). A chuckle of delight rippled through the crowd as she added: “You got in first.”
“This small building has seen and heard the whispered and loudly proclaimed dreams and hopes of the
families who settled here for 150 years,” she said, adding “this small building still holds the faith of the community…. Buildings are to serve the people, and not the other way around.”
