The new owner of the St Thomas church building in Meeanee wants to convert it into a home. Photo / Warren Buckland
The new owner of the St Thomas church building in Meeanee wants to convert it into a home. Photo / Warren Buckland
The new owners of a heritage church building in Meeanee have received Heritage New Zealand’s blessing to convert it to a residential dwelling.
The former St Thomas’ Church, built in 1887 to the design of prolific church architect Frederick Clere, is a Category 2 Heritage Building registered with NZ Historic Places Trust.
The building south of Napier was deconsecrated after 135 years of service in December last year due to dropping congregation numbers and building and infrastructure limitations. It was sold by closed tender in July.
Hawke’s Bay Today understands the sale will go through settlement this week.
Colleen Kaye, board secretary for the Waiapu Board of Diocesan Trustees, said at the time that ongoing maintenance costs and dwindling community numbers were the reasons for the sale.
The last living member of a legal trust formed in 1998 which raised nearly $100,000 for the restoration of the church over 12 years had concerns about the preservation.
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga central region area manager Kerryn Pollock said Heritage New Zealand had received initial plans to convert the church into a residential dwelling, which was a common form of conversion for religious buildings which ensures ongoing use and maintenance.
“One of the advantages of being recognised on the New Zealand Heritage List Rārangi Kōrero is that the owners of Category 2 St Thomas’ Church have access to our expert conservation advisers, who provide free advice and feedback on any maintenance and building plans,” Pollock said.
She said Heritage New Zealand was satisfied that the proposed conversion was sympathetic to the building’s heritage features and original purpose.
“The proposal retains as much of the original building fabric as possible and there is a clear demarcation between the old and new, which is pleasing,” she said.
“A new rear addition has been sensitively designed and does not overly detract or compete with the original building.”
She said they had responded to the church’s owner with feedback and advice, and they looked forward to seeing how the proposed works eventuate.
No resource consent application for the site had been lodged with Napier City Council as of October 17.
Within the Waiapu Diocese, St Augustine’s church closed in 2014 and St Luke’s Anglican church held its last service in October last year.
James Pocock joined Hawke’s Bay Today in 2021 and writes breaking news and features, with a focus on environment, local government and post-cyclone issues in the region. He has a keen interest in finding the bigger picture in research and making it more accessible to audiences. He lives in Napier. Contact him at james.pocock@nzme.co.nz.
