The History of St. James, Onerahi
1. INITIAL FORMATION OF THE CONGREGATION.
1.1 The first service held by Presbyterians in Onerahi was on 15 August 1920 conducted by Rev. George Lochore of the Whangarei Presbyterian Church. Monthly then fortnightly services were held in the Onerahi Town Hall on Domain Road (occasionally in private homes) at 2:30pm. Rev. Lochore would bike to Onerahi after the Whangarei service, bring his lunch, and have a cuppa at a member’s home before conducting the service.
1.2 “The History ...” reports that the “first office-bearers elected” were “Mesdames S. Going, W. Gloyn, J. Gazely Messrs C. Rowlands, H. Curtis Snr, J. Peacock, A. Munro, D. Bowie, and Mr Cockburn was elected Secretary & Treasurer.”
1.3 Rev. Lochore was the recognised minister until his death aged 47 in August 1929. His PCANZ record of ministry says he “had Church Extension work much at heart in North Auckland.” (He was First Moderator & Clerk of Northland Presbytery). He was followed by Rev. William Elliott who was the minister of the Whangarei Presbyterian Church from 1930 to 1941. The Onerahi Presbyterian Church was a daughter church of St Andrews Presbyterian Church in Whangarei City.
1.4 The “First Elder of this Church” was David Cockburn. David Cockburn (pronounced Coburn) died in 1926. In the St Andrews Presbyterian Church 75th Anniversary publication of 1934, after a picture of current elders, it is noted that “In addition to these old sons of the Church, others have served with fervency and zeal”, among whom is listed “D. Cockburn (deceased)”. In the same publication it is noted that St Andrews had 240 members and Onerahi had 20.
2. THE FIRST CHURCH BUILDING.
2.1. The first church to be used by Onerahi Presbyterians was built on a very small section donated around 1937 by Mrs Tom Beasley, in a dip on the eastern side of the airport. It was built from Rimu trees donated by Alex Riddle from his farm in Waikaraka, hauled from the bush by Mr. T. Clotworthy’s bullock team. Mr J. Horn, “one of our first elders” donated a bach. Various professional services were given free of charge, supplies were donated, and voluntary labour used extensively. A £200 loan was obtained from the Century Fund. The names of those involved in laying the Foundation Stones, including Rev. Lamb, are reported in “The History ...” It was opened on 17 April 1939.
2.2 The Communion Table was dedicated on 27 August 1939. It bears a plaque in honour of David Cockburn. A baptism bowl was also dedicated. A pulpit donated by Mrs H. Curtis Snr was dedicated on 28 April 1940, and used for 60 years until with changing styles of worship, the smaller Preaching Lecturn (dedicated “In appreciation of the work in this Parish of Elsie and Roy Hamblyn) came into regular use.
2.3 Annie (nee McKenzie) Cockburn, wife of David Cockburn, died on 21 August 1943, aged 86, four years after the church was opened. She is commemorated as the “First Secretary of the Onerahi PWMU.” PWMU is an abbreviation of Presbyterian Womens Missionary Union, a vigorous overseas-mission-focused missionary movement within the Presbyterian Church in the middle of the 20th century.
3. CONNECTIONS WITH ST ANDREWS, WHAU VALLEY-MANAIA, AND ST JOHNS.
3.1 Outpost of St Andrews.
From its beginning in 1920 the Onerahi Presbyterian group was an outpost of St. Andrews in the city, during the ministries of Rev.s Lochore, Elliott and Burton, assisted by lay-preachers, various visitors, and divinity students.
3.2 North Manaia
According to PCANZ records Rev. Robert Lamb was ordained and inducted into North Manaia on 24 February 1937, and resigned from the ministry on 31 January 1939; the year the building was opened. When the new church was opened Mr Edgar Finnemore, a Home Missioner, was welcomed “as our resident minister”. Mr Finnemore was farewelled at the 24 July AGM in 1940 for war service. Rev. Neil White was resident minister from October 1940 to October 1941, then a vacancy occurred in which services were taken by Rev. Burton (Minister of St Andrews, Whangarei, from October 1941 to February 1968), assisted by Mr. E.J. Clark, and Lay Readers.
A celebration of 21 years as a congregation was held on 23-24 August 1941. “The Early History ...” reports that Onerahi was “under the care of St. Andrews, also at this time Onerahi was appointed Executive for the Manaia Parish. All the out-stations had agreed to this as it would simplify matters for the better working of the Parish.” In 1942 Mr Oswald Ransome was appointed as a home missionary to Onerahi and the Manaia Parish (including Whakapara). Whatever the previous status (since, in PCANZ records, the ministries of Rev. Lamb, Mr. Finnemore, Rev. White and Mr Ransome are all listed under “North Manaia”), on 19 March 1944 the Northern Manaia Parish was constituted and five men were ordained elders (including one from Whareora). The officiating minister was Rev. Burton of St Andrews, with “other members from the Whangarei Kirk Session”. Rev. Ransome had been ordained on 20 October 1943, and remained at Onerahi until 31 March 1946. There was a six year gap, with Rev Burton and others assisting in taking services until the appointment on 1 February 1952 of Sister Nellie Ker as a Deaconess under the Whau Valley and North Manaia Parish. She resided at Whau Valley. It appears that while Onerahi sustained its continuous life as a congregation, it could not continuously sustain a full-time minister, and was destined to be associated with neighbouring congregations or home mission initiatives for ongoing viability.
3.3 Part of the Whau Valley - North Manaia Parish separated parish.
St Andrews extended its ministry. “A further stage of church extension was commenced in 1952 when a house in Kamo Road, Whau Valley was bought ...” where a purpose-built hall was erected and open by Rev. D. Kirkby on 23 Nov. 1952. Sister Nellie Ker was “appointed that year to work in the area and spear-headed a separated parish – Whau Valley – Northern Manaia”. Her work in Onerahi had long-lasting benefits, especially with the commencement of an Onerahi Young Marrieds Group of which she was “instigator and first President”.
In December 1954 Rev Ken Mountjoy was ordained and inducted as a Presbyterian minister for the Whau Valley and North Manaia (including Onerahi) parish which was named St Johns, and served for three and a half years. Onerahi was part of the St John’s parish until the end of the decade. The 10 February 1960 edition of The Outlook reports, “It is only five years since St John’s separated from St. Andrews...” The Outlook quotation continues, “... and now the new parish of Onerahi-Whangarei has separated from St Johns.” Perhaps the brotherhood of James and John inspired the name attached to the Onerahi church. The separation of the parishes was recognised by Rev NC Williams of St John’s being presented with “a painting of Mt Manaia as a token of appreciation from the Onerahi-Whangarei Heads congregation”.
3.4 St James as a Parish.
Consistent with the report in The Outlook the local newspaper reports that the Onerahi-Whangarei Heads parish was formed by the Presbytery of Northland on 21 December 1959, and Rev. Robert Falconer was ordained and inducted. He would be followed by Rev. Bob Middelplaats (inducted 2 December 1965), Rev. Mary Gray (ordained and inducted on 12 February 1974), Rev. Murray Allen (ordained and inducted 12 December 1979), Rev. Bruce Hellyer (inducted 2 February 1986). Rev Doris Elphick was briefly at Onerahi in 1987 during Rev. Hellyer’s incumbency. Rev. Hellyer’s ministry concluded in January 1995. BCNZ graduate Diana Hamilton was appointed from February 1995 to January 1996 under Methodist oversight, followed by Rev. Bill Clifford (Methodist) in February 1996. Following Rev. Clifford’s departure there was a further period of vacancy, when services were organized by Mrs Elizabeth Swift. Diana Hamilton was appointed for a further term from February 2000 to January 2004 under Presbyterian oversight. Rev. Barry Tetley was inducted in August 2005.
4. FORMATION OF THE WHANGAREI UNITING CHURCH.
4.1 The Whangarei Uniting Church was formed in anticipation of organic Union, and eventually comprised five churches: (St Andrews in Whangarei’s city hub, St. Johns (Regent), St. Pauls (Kamo), St James (Onerahi) Trinity (Tikipunga) and a church congregation at Raumanga. Rev. Bill Francis (Methodist) was a catalyst for this development. The Uniting Church was formed by agreement between Presbyterians, Methodists, and the Associated Churches of Christ with a Constitution adopted in 1971. The formation of the Uniting Church permitted a rationalisation of properties and ministerial responsibilities. A number of church-owned properties (churches, halls, manses, pieces of land, houses) were sold and mortgages were repaid. Some churches were closed, moved, and other developments were financed.
4.2 Immediate Recognition of Diversity.
In a newspaper report six months after the formation of the Whangarei Uniting Church it was recognized that each of the congregations had developed their own individualised style of worship.
4.3 St Johns and St Pauls withdraw from WUC.
In September 1990 St Johns and St Pauls withdrew from the WUC.
5. CHANGES TO SHERWOOD RISE.
5.1 The tip of the Onerahi peninsula was once the shipping point to Auckland for cargo and passengers from Whangarei. The small township was originally known as Grahamtown. A railway line ran between the port and the city, along the peninsula shoreline to a bridge that crossed the Hatea River. The name of the township was changed to Onerahi to distinguish it from Grahamstown at Thames. An airfield was established, which expanded over the years. The school and shops gradually relocated towards the Sherwood area near the junction of the Whangarei Heads Road. Sherwood Park is next to the Onerahi Primary School.
Sections at Sherwood Rise were procured “for a church, church hall, and a Manse” in 1953. The Presbyterian Manse at 100 Onerahi Road was built in 1955 (opposite the present church site), and a Keith Hay house was placed on the rear of the church site for use as a hall.
5.2 Church Moved to Onerahi Road.
The original church was moved at 9 am on 23 April 1966 at a cost of 800 pounds. Rev. Middelplaats was the minister at the time. During the transition St Stephens Anglican Church welcomed the congregation to use their facilities. The shift caused the congregation a considerable degree of grief, expressed in “The Early History ...” written at the time (1966). In subsequent years, the hall and the church buildings were connected by a foyer and adjoining rooms.
5.3 Plans for site Development and Partial Replacement of Buildings.
On 12 October 2008 the Congregation unanimously resolved that “The St James Uniting Church, Onerahi, embark on a process to redevelop the property and authorizes the Parish Council to consult the congregation, CTN and the PCANZ Church Property Trustees, to develop a suitable design for the building and the property, identify the approximate costs and submit to the congregation for further approval.” In due course a plan to maximise the use of the site, and to replace the hall and rooms beyond the foyer with a hall to accommodate 140 persons plus a commercial kitchen and toilet facilities, was approved in principle by the Congregation, by CTN, and the PCANZ Church Property Trustees.
6. RETURNING TO PRESBYTERIAN ORIGINS
6.1 Changes in Church Government.
The regional governance of the church has traditionally been through regional Presbyteries. After the formation of the Whangarei Uniting Church the Northland Presbytery merged at different stages with regional bodies of other denominations, and finally into a regional body known as Churches Together in Northland
(CTN).
6.2 Dissolution of the Whangarei Uniting Church.
It was evident after forty years that church union would not occur. Each denomination serves a different sector of the community in its own way. In 2011 St James and other churches in Northland decided to return solely to governance by the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa NZ, under the Northern Presbytery. In 2012 the Whangarei Uniting Church was dissolved.
Updated by Rev Barry Tetley, 29 October 2012.
Appendix: MINISTERS OF THE CONGREGATION.
1. People who served under St. Andrews including Onerahi.
LOCHORE, Rev George Wright (Presbyterian) b 6.6.1882 w Muriel b 16.10.1881 m 9.2.1915 d 25.1.1934 He was from the West Coast; had no secondary education, but when he set his heart on the ministry, faced University course; the Hall; then first joined Home Missionary service. HM Blackball WsP 1907 - left 2.1908 to go to University. Hornby ChP 1910, Ord HM 1910 Theological Hall 1912-14 Licensed by Presbytery of Dunedin 16.11.1914 Ord Waihi WkP 19.2.1915 Whangarei NP 3.8.1918; had Church Extension work much at heart in North Auckland. First Moderator & Clerk of Northland Presbytery. Died 8.8.1929 at Whangarei, aged 47
ELLIOTT, Rev William (Tiny) M.A. (Presbyterian) b 11.9.1887; w Mabel Frances G. b 4.4.1886 m 28.12.1921 d 24.5.1974 After managing the farm until his next brother could take over, he went to WW1. War serv fr 24.7.1917 to 13.9.1919, Field Ambulance. Theological Hall, Dunedin 1920-21 Licensed by Clutha Presbytery 6.10.1921 Ord Kaitaia NP 2.2.1922 Rev & Mrs Elliott travelled in a motor bike with side car attached when roads permitted, but often rode on horseback or walked long distances. Monthly services were held at Victoria Valley, Takahue, Clough’s Road, Pukepoto, Herekino, Awanui, Kaingaroa, Fairburns and Waiharara. Services were mostly held in private homes or school halls. Rev Elliott was remembered as a good speaker and he bore the name “Tiny” Elliott because he was tall – 6 foot 4 inches in fact. Gonville Wanganui WgP 2.12.1925 Whangarei NP 6.2.1930 - 1941 St James Wellington WnP 1.5.1941 Otaki WnP 31.3.1950 ret 31.12.1954 Brother of Sr E.H. Elliott; Clerk of Northland Presbytery; retired in Dunedin, supplied North East Valley, Woodlands, South Taieri. On last day of his life he was out visiting and at a meeting in South Taieri. Died 4.11.1957
BURTON, Rev Thomas Herbert B.A. b 15.3.1895 Inglewood; w (1) Elsie Maude b 5.12.1898 m 9.3.1927 d 11.3.1934 w (2) Olga Pauline Meyer b 20.2.1914 m 18.5.1938 d 1.1977 University & training for Methodist Ministry Licensed by Auckland Presbytery 14.12.1926 Received by the PCNZ 1927 Ord Kaurihohore NP 9.2.1927 Otorohanga WkP 7.8.1930 Marton WgP 6.4.1937 Whangarei NP 15.10.1941 - retired 9.2.1968 Died 23.6.1979 at home Mt Albert, aged 84
2. People who served under Northern Manaia & St Johns
LAMB, Rev Robert Cameron B.A. (Presbyterian) b 11.8.1910 Theological Hall 1933-35 Ord North Manaia NP 24.2.1937 - resigned from ministry 31.1.1939 Entered the teaching profession.
WHITE, Rev Neil Oliver (Presbyterian) b 4.11.1879 w Anna L. b 18.5.1889 m 16.12.1912 d 31.3.1934 In student days supplied at Hokianga, Dannevirke, Hunterville. Theological Hall 1908-9 Completed studies at Knox College, Toronto, Canada 1910-11. Licensed & Ordained by Pembina Presbytery at Minto, North Dakota, USA 1911 He returned to NZ in 1914 and accepted call to :Waipukurau HBP Ind 29.4.1914 - resigned 31.3.1916 Chapain NZEF, war service 25.3.1916 to 24.3.1917 – invalided home 1917. Assistant Minister Riccarton Christchurch ChP began 1917; Ind 16.7.1918 Helensville AP 30.8.1922 Dargaville (Northern Wairoa NP) 16.2.1927 Takapuna Auckland NSP 8.3.1934 - resigned 30.4.1935 Morningside Auckland AP 1935 - resigned 30.5.1937 Worked in Govt Office Auckland Northern Manaia NP 1940-41 He ministered in Natal, Britsh Columbia (Canada), Nova Scotia; returned to NZ & supplied Greymouth, Tasman & Moutere. Retired to Te Kuiti 1958 Died 19.9.1962 at Te Kuiti
RANSOM, Rev Oswald Edgar (Presbyterian) b 11.8.1888 Rongotea w.(?) b.(?) m.(?) d.(?) Formerly a Cabinetmaker. He was brought up in the Salvation Army by his parents; attended the Salvation Army Training College for one year. He served as a full-time Salvation Army Officer for 25 years; on retirement from the Salvation Army he entered Home Missionary service with the PCNZ as from 1.7.1942 HM Whakapara-Northern Manaia NP 1942, Ord HM 20.10.1943 Maungaturoto NP 1946 Maraekakaho HBP 1948 Dannevirke Outfields HBP 1949 ret 1951 Died 14.8.1975 Takapuna
KER, Sr Nellie Gordon Mrs A.J. Swindells (Presbyterian) b 1908 - Deac Coll; Ord Deac 1942 Cong Deac St Pauls Napier 1.2.1941 to 1947 Cong Deac Somervell Mem Remuera Ak 1947-51 Whau Valley-Nth Manaia NP 1952 res 11.1954 to be married in 1955.
MOUNTJOY, Rev Kendrick Archer Louis (Presbyterian) b 12.12.1918 at Oamaru w Roma Ismay Goodwin b 5.1.1920 m 5.1.1943 Educated at at Rongotai College 1932 to 1935 Worked for the Wellington Employers Assn, Fletchers for a short time, and as a Senior Clerk with the National Cash Register Company. Entered the Baptist Training College in Auckland. In 1939 applied to join the NZ Army but declared unfit due to wearing glasses. Then joined the YMCA, being posted to the Taieri Air Force Base. When Japan entered the war he again applied to join the Army and was accepted. Served in the Artillery Regiment, Anti Aircraft, based in NZ & the Pacific. A keen boxer and a champ at Rongotai College, he won a series of bouts in the Pacific against the US troops. HM Taupo Maori Mission Station 11.7.1946 St Martins Christchurch ChP 1948 Pine Hill Dunedin DnP 1951 Theological Hall, Dunedin 1952-54 Licensed by Presbytery of Dunedin Nov 1954 Ord St Johns Whangarei, Whau Valley-North Manaia NP 16.12.1954-1958 Otahuhu AP 1.5.1958 Whakatane BPP 14.12.1967 - retired 15.12.1976 due to ill-health. Died 13 Jan 1982 at Whakatane, interred in RSA section of Hillcrest cemetery, Ohope.
3. People who served under St. James Parish:
FALCONER, Rev Robert William (Presbyterian) b 17.4.1922 Lower Hutt; w Marjorie Vaughan b 9.5.1924 m 27.6.1953 He was educ at Wairarapa High Sch & St Patricks, Silverstream. He served in the Army from 1939-42, & was invalided out. He went to OU in 1954. Hall 1957-9 St Enoch’s, Tauranga (“first minister”, The Outlook, Feb.1960, p.63) Ord Onerahi-Whangarei Heads 21.12.1959-1965 Chap RNZAF Whenuapai 25.1.1966 Chap RNZAF Woodbourne 15.3.1967 res 17.7.1969 Teacher Manurewa, Henderson H S, teaching slow learners; persistent ill-health after WW2 Died 13.11.1973, aged 51
MIDDELPLAATS, Rev Hendrik Peter (Bob) (Presbyterian) b 3.4.1925 The Hague, Holland. w (1) Klaaske b 16.5.1923 m 7.4.1951 d 1.6.1980 w (2) Marina m 31.8.1985 Shortly after his 18th birthday he found himself sentenced to death for refusing to swear an oath of allegiance to Hitler. He spent the rest of the war in prison in France and in Dachau Concentration Camp. Throughout this time he was regularly beaten and tortured, causing permanent damage and pain. Escaping from Dachau two days before the German surrender, he was soon driving trucks all over Europe, acting as General Patton’s driver, and interpreting at the Nuremberg War Trials. In the late 1940’s, now a Dutch Sergeant-Major stationed in Indonesia, he was temporarily blinded by a grenade thrown in his face by a terrorist, leaving him with the sight of only one eye. Emigrated to New Zealand in 1950. Placed first on a farm then studied Accountancy, becoming a Company Secretary. Suffered further permanent trauma after suffering a severe shock shortly after his arrival in New Zealand. HM Maungaturoto NP 19.2.1960 Theological Hall Dunedin 1963-65 Ord St James Whangarei NP 2.12.1965-1973 Southbridge-Dunsandel ChP 3.7.1973 He suffered two heart attacks in 1978 but was reluctant to accept early retirement. Paterangi WkP 27.9.1979 - retired 31.8.1986 After retirement also held positions as Chaplain at Te Rapa Air Force Base and at Trevalyan Home and Hospital. During his years in the Ministry he was deeply involved in community affairs, served as Moderator of Presbytery, and also served on a variety of committees. Died 23.6.1991
GRAY, Rev Mary Alison B.A.; M.A., L.Th. (Presbyterian) b 27.7.1922 at Matamata. Educated at Tirau Primary School, Matamata District High School (where she was Dux & Head Girl in 1940) & the Auckland Teachers’ Training College. Served as a Teacher with the Education Department, teaching at Tirau and Hodderville before training and graduating from the Bible Training Institute in Auckland. Appointed Teacher at Turakina Maori Girls’ College, Marton 3.2.1950 Appointed 1st Assistant at Turakina Maori Girls’ College, Marton 1.8.1955 Undertook a two year break to teach at a remand school in Birmingham, England Resigned from Turakina Maori Girl’s College 31.1.1964 to do full-time study at Auckland University. Theological Hall Dunedin 1971-73 Ord Onerahi NP 12.2.1974-1978 Te Aroha Co-operating Parish WkP 14.12.1978 St Aidans Northcote NSP 7.7.1983 - resigned 3.12.1985 Kihikihi WkP 19.10.1986 - retired 31.1.1988 but continued as supply for further 6 months to 31.7.1988 Retired to Matamata. Always a keen student, Alison was part way through a thesis on women’s leadership in the church with Otago University at the time of her death. Died 2 June 2006 (Suddenly) at Matamata, aged 83 years
ALLAN, Rev Murray Lawrence B.A.,B.Theol.,A.N.Z.I.M. (Presbyterian) w Joanne Elizabeth m 6.5.1978 Theological Hall 1977-79 Ord St James Onerahi (Whangarei Uniting) 13.12.1979 1984 Columba, Oamaru NOP 3.10.1984 - resigned 20.2.1996 Assistant Minister, St Paul’s Trinity Pacific Church, Christchurch (Stated Supply) ChP Nov 1998 Minister within the Bounds ChP 14 Aug 2005
HELLYER, Rev Bruce Arthur John L.Th. (Presbyterian) w Margaret Lynnette m 6.8.1966 Theological Hall 1977-9 Ordained Pahiatua Union MnP 16.11.1980 St James Uniting Whangarei NP 3.2.1986 - 1995 Bell Block and Lepperton Co-op TkP Mar 1995 Mangonui County Union Church, Kaitaia Union Parish NP Aug 2000 During ministry of Rev. Bruce Hellyer ELPHICK, Rev Doris J.(Methodist) From Methodist Church Whangarei Uniting, St James Onerahi 2.1987; Appt. completed 31.1.1988 Riverton Union Church SP 2000
HAMILTON, Diana (Methodist Oversight)
1995 – 1996
St James Uniting Church -1.95 – 2.96
CLIFFORD, Rev William J. (Bill) & Rev Mrs Kathy Meth Ch Eltham-Kaponga Co-op TkP, lay supply 1.2.1991 St James 2.96 -
HAMILTON, Diana (Presbyterian Oversight)
1995 – 1996; 2000 - 2004
St James Uniting Church -1.95 – 2.96
St James Uniting Church Feb. 2000 – Jan. 2004
TETLEY, Rev Barry Warren L.Th., M.Div (Hons). (Presbyterian) b. Auckland w. Christine Tetley L.Th., M.Div. (Hons), Th.D. m. 30.3.1968 Ord 1969 (USA) Overseas Worker 1970 – 1986 Philippines Lecturer, Bible College of New Zealand 1987 – 1998 Glendowie, Auckland AP 10.8.2000 St James’ Uniting Church, Onerahi NP 21 Aug 2005
