Church of the Good Shepherd, Tinui

The Tinui district saw its first settlers in the 1860s, with occasional church services held in private homes, schools and later in the Tinui Public Hall. However, by the late 1890s, as visits by clergy able to make the long journey out to Tinui was problematic, Wellington Anglican Diocese realised it needed its own vicar. Prior to 1899 Tinui and districts was part of Masterton Anglican Parish.

By 1900, Tinui was a bustling village, home to numerous shops, a school and hotel. The demand for a dedicated place of worship grew, leading to the establishment of the Whareama and East Coast Mission in 1899, separating 80 square miles of the Tinui and East Coast district from the Masterton Anglican Parish.

The community welcomed its first vicar, Rev. John Sykes, a dynamic Canadian priest (and a great photographer) who wasted no time forming a committee to build a church in Tinui Village.

Locals at the Laying of the Foundation Stone, 17 April 1902. In the background are the Rev. J C Andrew and Vicar John Sykes - Tinui Historical Society - 90-017/555

Foundation stone laid

By October 1901, with architectural plans in place by Clere & Swan and sufficient funds secured, tenders were called for construction. Masterton builder Charles Daniell won the contract, and on April 17, 1902, the foundation stone was laid by Rev. J.C. Andrew, with Vicar John Sykes officiating.

A 1904 photo of the Church of the Good Shepherd, taken by the vicar, the Rev. John Sykes, on its original site in Manawa Road. When it opened it had Marseilles tiles on the roof and the church would have been painted in shades of cream and green. Behind the church the mountain known as the Tinui Taipo can be seen. To the left is a glimpse of the first vicarage, built by Arthur Nicholls. Tinui Historical Society - 01-25/70

With no modern council or government regulations to delay progress, construction moved swiftly, and on July 23, 1902, the Church of the Good Shepherd was officially opened by Rev. John Sykes, Rev. J. C. Chapman, and other Wairarapa clergy.

Dedication and consecration

On March 20, 1904, the church became debt-free, and ownership was officially transferred from local trustees to the Wellington Diocese, following its dedication and consecration by the Right Reverend Frederic Wallis, Bishop of Wellington.

Tinui's Place in ANZAC History

Following the government's proclamation of Anzac Day as a half-holiday in April 1916, Tinui’s vicar, Rev. Basil Ashworth, proposed erecting a memorial cross on the Tinui Taipo in remembrance of those lost at Gallipoli. On April 25, 1916, parishioners and local children climbed the steep hill, each carrying a piece of the jarrah timber cross, believed to be New Zealand's first World War I memorial cross.

(Note: Some sources mistakenly claim the Church of the Good Shepherd held New Zealand's first official Anzac Day service. This myth emerged in the 1980s and has been widely debunked by historians.) See: Tinui's first Anzac Day

Flooding and the Church’s Relocation

For 112 years, the Church of the Good Shepherd stood faithfully on the Whareama River floodplain, enduring many floods and gale-force winds. By 2014, however, the church’s condition had deteriorated—its wooden piles had rotted, the floor was uneven, and daylight could be seen through gaps behind the altar.

After much deliberation, the Wellington Diocese approved the church’s relocation to Blackhill Road in 2019, placing it above the floodplain and adjacent to the Tinui War Memorial Hall.

The Church of the Good Shepherd being moved from its site on Manawa Road (formerly Annedale Road) to its new site in Blackhill Road, on 6 March 2019. The first Castlepoint County Officer can be seen to the right / Caryl Forrest

The Church of the Good Shepherd, with people arriving for the opening service, 25 April 2025 / Bruce Levy

Detail of the steeple /Bruce Levy

Restoration and Renewal

For five years, the beloved church remained on its new foundations, waiting for restoration. In 2024, the Wellington Diocese commissioned Masterton builders M.B. Brown, working alongside a heritage architect, to revive the structure. The Masterton Men's Shed rebuilt the steeple, using wooden shingles, and also crafted a beautiful new altar.

Reopening

At 123 years old, the Church of the Good Shepherd was ready to welcome worshippers once again. It was reopened at a service on Anzac Day 2025 at 9 a.m., preceding Tinui’s Anzac Day commemoration at 10:30 a.m., with a country morning tea to follow in Tinui Hall.

The Rev. Wendy Scott, priest-in-charge, Masterton Parish, officiated, assisted by former Tinui priest-in-charge, the Rev. Steve Thomson.

The Rev. Steve Thomson gave the address, covering the history of the birth of the parish, as the Whareama and East Coast Mission, and the history of the Church of the Good Shepherd.

The Rev. Steve Thomson reads his address from the pulpi - Bruce Levy

Pam Palmer reads one of the lessons at the re-opening service / Bruce Levy

The Rev. Wendy Scott reads the Deed of Consecration, watched by Ross Wakeling, chairman, Tinui and Castlepoint Community Trust and the Rev. Steve Thomson / Caryl Forrest

During the service the Deed of Deconsecration was read by the Rev. Wendy Scott. That declared that the Right Reverend Justin Duckworth, Bishop of Wellington, no longer had episcopal jurisdiction over the church. Ownership was handed to the Tinui and Castlepoint Community Trust.

Here's an account of the opening service at the Church of the Good Shepherd from the Wairarapa Daily Times:

TE NUI NOTES

Opening of the First Anglican Church.

A Memorable Event.

Some Interesting Particulars of Former Ministrations.

Incidents in Past History of the District.

An Auspicious Inauguration.

Settlers Present From Long Distances.

Sermon by Rev. J. C. Andrew.

Description of the New Place of Worship.

Tribute to the Energy of the Anglican Community.

(By Our Special Correspondent)

The districts of Castlepoint (forty-three miles from Masterton) and Te Nui (thirty miles from Masterton) have been settled for upwards of fifty years; but, owing to the land being held in large blocks, they have never had a large population. The principal runs in the district are Castlepoint, Mataikona, Te Nui [Tinui], Ica, Langdale (now owned by the Government), Blairlogie, Manawa and Annedale. This large district, of more than a thousand square miles, has been absolutely without a place of worship, except a small Roman Catholic Church, built more than twenty years ago.

The religious history of the district, though very interesting, is told in a few words. Probably the first to carry the message of Christ's religion was the Rev. Wm. Ronaldson, whose work, by the old settlers, will long be remembered. He was the right man for pioneer work - a good horseman, a good preacher, a kindly genial man, afraid of nothing except dishonouring his Master; who could work with his hands as well as his brains, and whose name deserves to be associated with that pioneer Bishop whose name will always live in the history of the Anglican Church - G. A. Selwyn. He was followed by two Presbyterians, who paid occasional visits with the message of Jesus Christ.

Between 30 and 40 years ago the Rev. J. C. Andrew, M.A., acquired the Ica property, and truly the coming of Mr Andrew was a blessing to the district. A tall, somewhat slender figure, with fine head and strong voice, who thoroughly understands the trials, difficulties and temptations of the people, his words have always been helpful and comforting.

During the past thirty years a very large number of the younger generation have been baptized and married by Mr Andrew. First at Rock View (Flag Creek), and Seven Oaks (Mr Cripps') and latterly at The Hall, Tinui, and the Whareama Schoolroom, Mr Andrew has preached the gospel of God's love and forgiveness. This gentleman's name will long be held in high honor by the residents of a very large district.

Soon after the Rev. W. Earee took charge of the Parish of Masterton, it was felt that so large a district ought to have a resident clergyman. As soon as possible, the Bishop of Wellington paid a visit to Bush Grove and Tinui, and met a number of church people, who decided to canvass the district. A large amount of interest was shown, and sufficient support promised to warrant the Bishop appointing a clergyman.

The next thing was to find a suitable man. Most of the work would have to be done on horseback. The district was large, much of it very hilly. The roads in winter were very bad, and altogether it would be no easy post for any clergyman.

How often has it been proved in the history of God's Church that no sooner is there a special work ready for a man, than God has a man ready for the work. It was so in this case. About this time the Bishop of Wellington received an offer of service from a clergyman who had considerable experience in Western Canada, who had been accustomed to long rides over the prairie of the wheat-growing province of Manitoba, but whose health would not stand the extreme cold of the winters. Here was the very man, and the Bishop lost no time in accepting his services.

The Rev. gentleman arrived in Wellington on New Year's morning, 1899, and two days later came on to Masterton, where he was met by the Rev. W. Earée, who drove him out to his new sphere of labour at Te Nui. For three and a half years the work has gone on, and now from the Hawke's Bay boundary on the Coast, to Te Awaite there is scarcely a house or whare, but is ready to welcome the Rev. J. H. Sykes.

At the end of two years labour it was felt that the time had come when an effort ought to be made to build a church at Tinui, the centre of the mission, and a Committee was formed to carry out the work.

Plans were prepared by Mr J. S. Swan, Wellington, and the contract was let to Mr C. E. Daniell, Masterton. The Church, which is one of the prettiest wooden buildings in the Diocese of Wellington, consists of nave, chancel, porch and vestry at the south-west corner, and bell cote with weather vane, including the cock which is so common on many churches in England. The nave is 33ft x 20ft; the chancel, 13ft x 13ft; porch, 6ft 6in x 6ft 3in; vestry, 8ft x 7ft; height of bell cote, 50 feet. The roof which is covered with French Marseilles tiles, with a bold ridging, gives the building a pretty appearance. The tiles were supplied by Messrs Briscoe, McNeil and Co., Wellington.

The interior of the Church has also a very neat appearance, and when fully furnished, will look remarkably well. The windows are filled with deep red, blue and gold Muranese glass. The pews, which are of rimu, are oiled and open at the end. The altar rail is a cross inside a Gothic arch. The lectern, which is of carved rimu, is the gift of the Vicar. There is also an artistic Glastonbury chair, the gift of a few friends. The altar cross is also the gift of an anonymous friend. The offertory dishes are the gift of Mrs and Miss Fannin, of Masterton. Among interior fittings still wanted are the following:--Font, pulpit, bell, organ, communion vessels, alms dish, service books, chancel carpet, kneelers, etc.

The opening service took place on Wednesday at 2.30 p.m. Long before that hour, however, the people began to arrive. Some came thirty miles, others twenty miles, many came over ten miles, and two earnest sympathisers had travelled all the way from Wellington. Upwards of two hundred people were present, and the Church was taxed to its utmost capacity, the aisle being filled with chairs, many standing at the back and filling the porch. The following clergy were present: Rev. J. C. Andrew. M.A., Rev. P. C. W. Earèe, Rev. J. Walker, M.A., Rev. J. H. Sykes, Vicar, and Mr James Nichols, Layreader, from Eketahuna.

The Clergy robed at the Hall, and preceded by members of the vestry walked across to the Church.

The service commenced with the singing of the well-known hymn "The Church's One Foundation."

The first part of the prayers were read by the Rev. W. Earée, the remainder by the Rev. J. Walker. The lessons were read by Mr Nichols and the Rev. J. H. Sykes. The sermon was preached by the Rev. J. C. Andrew, from the words in Genesis, 12th chapter, 7-8 verses--"And the Lord appeared unto Abraham, and said: Unto thy seed will I give this land; and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him. And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the West and Ai on the East; and there he builded an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord."

In the course of an earnest discourse, worthy of the occasion, the preacher pointed out that in erecting beautiful churches for the worship of God, we were doing exactly what Abram did thousands of years ago. And that if religion was to be maintained amongst us, it was necessary to have the outward symbol, where we can meet together and encourage each other in the fight against sin. In drawing to a close, Mr Andrew said: "We are told in the Bible that in the latter days men shall be lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. I am afraid these days are very near, if we have not already entered upon them."

"In years gone by the quarrel has been between different sects of Christians; in the coming years the struggle will be between all Christians on the one side and the forces of Infidelity and worldliness on the other. If you cannot always attend the services of the Church, do not omit private and family prayer. At least once a day erect the family altar and call upon the name of the Lord."

The preacher closed by making an earnest appeal to the mothers to teach their children suitable hymns, which would never be forgotten by them.

Miss Kean presided at the organ.

The collection, which was on behalf of the Building Fund, amounted to £17 0s 4d. [Equivalent to $3,873 in 2025.]

Afternoon tea was provided by the ladies of the congregation.

The Vicar desires to sincerely thank all those who helped to make the day such a great success.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 7216, 25 July 1902, Page 2

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