Crack soldiers, councillors skirmish over base chapel

The Special Air Service is battling to hang on to its historic chapel as it prepares to move to a new base on the other side of Auckland.

Defence forces packing up at Hobsonville want to take St Marks - quaint with its high-pitched gabled roof, creosote-stained weatherboards and belfry - with them but some Waitakere councillors are arguing that the building should stay.

The station chapel was built in 1942 with money from the National Patriotic Funds Board.

The military base was declared surplus to requirements four years ago and it has lost the No 3 Squadron helicopters, specialist technical groups and the SAS regiment.

Weekly services at the chapel were transferred to a similar building at the nearby Whenuapai Air Base.

Meanwhile, in their new compound at Papakura, the SAS is missing having the use of a chapel and Defence Chief Air Marshal Bruce Ferguson said St Marks would be ideal for the regiment's 50th anniversary commemorative service in June.

Air Force spokesman Squadron Leader Ric Cullinane said the chapel represented a still point in an uncertain world for military people who had served at Hobsonville.

Moving the chapel to Papakura recognised its military heritage and provided an opportunity to retain that heritage for future members of the SAS.

This week, the chapel was awaiting removal from its park-like English country village setting to Papakura.

The power is cut off and the buIlding stripped of its furnishings except for the carpet - in Air Force blue.

A starling's nest rested in the vacant tower where the church bell once rang out on servicemen's wedding days.

They will ring out again - and at Hobsonville - if some Waitakere City councillors get their way.

Leading the charge is Councillor Linda Cooper, who grew up at Hobsonville and was confirmed and married in the chapel.

She said the chapel was a listed heritage building and was protected under the District Plan.

The council has lodged an appeal to the Environment Court, challenging the Defence Force's right to remove the building. The force has until May 12 to file its reply and if the matter is not resolved before then, a hearing will be held.

Mrs Cooper said it was said that the SAS had links with the chapel but the regiment was only on the base for 10 years.

"The chapel has been there for many years more and many ex-servicemen living in the area have strong links with the chapel, too."

Former base land is earmarked for state and private housing, a marine industry cluster, a secondary school and parks.

"It's going to be a community again and wouldn't it be wonderful for it to have the chapel with its historical and cultural connection?"

Air Marshall Ferguson said it was important to understand the connection that service people had with the chapel.

"While local residents may look to St Marks with fondness, it was built for and has been predominantly attended by serving members of the Defence Force.

"It is very much our chapel."