Marlborough Express - Weekend Express
Family rallies to save historic church
‘‘We may well need to raise funds so let’s get the ball rolling.’’
A distinctive stonework church rising above farmland on the side of a major highway has been a lasting sight on the South Island’s east coast.
But the fate of the St Oswald’s Anglican Church is in jeopardy.
The church near Wharanui on State Highway 1, 60 kilometres south of Blenheim, has been off limits since the November earthquake and its future remains uncertain six months later.
The family behind St Oswald’s is determined to protect its 90-year history, and is asking the public for help.
A fundraiser has been kickstarted to restore the building to its former glory.
Leicester Murray, a relative of the church builders, says the building is an integral part of Marlborough history that needs protection.
‘‘It’s not just a building ... The structure has had an influence on people, as far as I’m concerned, worldwide,’’ he said.
‘‘Because it is so prominent on State Highway 1, during summer when the highway is open there is a constant flow of people pulling over there. They stop and ask questions. People know it.
‘‘We feel if we don’t get something going, time goes by and we could lose momentum.’’
The church was built in 1927 by Charles and Jessie Murray in memory of their son, Charles Murray, who died in 1924 while travelling in Switzerland.
The Nelson Anglican Diocesan Trust Board administered the church on behalf of the Nelson Anglican Diocese.
Ownership of the church had since been offered back to the family after a report commissioned at the time of the earthquake advised St Oswald’s was not safe to occupy.
The family was still waiting on an additional engineer’s report and yet to accept the offer, but Leicester believes the church can be repaired.
‘‘We may well need to raise funds so let’s get the ball rolling,’’ he says.
Leicester has first-hand experience with church restoration after his wife sat on the funding board for St Barnabas, in Christ- church. The 91-year-old Christchurch church officially reopened in February, after suffering damage in the February 2011 quake.
The final repair bill came in at $2 million.
A website, Facebook page and Givealittle profile have been set up to start the fundraising efforts to save St Oswald’s.
It remains to be seen what function the restored church could serve, and Leicester says the family is thinking outside the box for inspiration for its future use. Any full restoration will also require government assistance and the family is exploring its options, Leicester says.
A Nelson Anglican Diocese spokeswoman said the offer for the Murray family to take on ownership of St Oswald’s remained.
For more information on the St Oswald’s fundraiser, visit their Givealittle page.