Catholics called upon to save town's church

There are concerns for the future of the oldest church on the West Coast. Photo / Hokitika Guardian

Catholics are being called en-masse to attend Mass in Ross to save the town's last remaining church from closure.

Christchurch Catholic Bishop Barry Jones will lead Mass in the 149-year-old St Patrick's Church next month as part of a diocesan visit to Westland.

Last year, parishioner numbers fell to just three, raising concerns for the future of the oldest church on the West Coast.

Parishioner Biddy Manera said the more people who could attend August 9 Mass, the better to show the significance of the church to the community.

Ms Manera said while Mass numbers were not high at Ross, members of the Kokatahi-Kowhitirangi congregation, as well as visitors, often joined the twice-monthly Masses.

"Visitors do use it and people who come and stay in holiday homes come too, even people from other denominations because it is the only church in Ross -- we don't turn anyone away."

Located directly opposite the Ross visitor centre, St Patrick's was also a tourist attraction.

Information centre manager Kath Maitland said staff had opened and closed the doors every day on behalf of the church for the past year.

It was a popular attraction for tourists.

"In the visitors book there's a lot of Europeans, including Irish, look in. It's a very nice, peaceful spot. It would be sad to see it closed," Mrs Maitland said.

"It is the only church left in the town and it also has significance as the oldest wooden building on the Coast."

St Patrick's is the second oldest church in the Christchurch diocese, after Akaroa.

With declining numbers of parishioners in the late 20th century the Ross parish -- which originally extended from Rimu in the north to Jackson Bay in the south -- was incorporated into the Hokitika parish of

St Mary's and lost its resident priest.

Hokitika parish priest Father Francis Jolly said last year any decision to close the Ross church would come from the diocese.

The church was built in 1866, within a year of the discovery of gold at Ross. It is a category 2 listed building with Heritage New Zealand.

- Hokitika Guardian