In years gone by there was another Maori Church in Pah Street.

In 1856 it was described thus by a visitor - "a simple wooden structure with it's little belfry, a few lancet windows, a communion table railed in, a reading desk and a pulpit."

This church went out of existence and was later replaced in 1897 by the above church.

The churches name "Te Ahurewa" means Sacred Place.

The church was renovated and roughcast in 1955.
The first church built in Motueka was built of rammed earth, but before the roof timbers were up it, unfortunately crumbled into a muddy pile after a heavy rain storm.
However, the undaunted folk of Motueka had a wooden church ready for consecration by 1848.
Prior to this services were held in the tent or barn of Dr. Greenwood by the Rev. C. L. Reay.
The land on which the first completed church was erected was donated by Capt. Edward Fearon and the East End windows of the present church are a memorial to him.
This land with it's old graveyard may be seen on the corner of Thorpe and Fearon Streets.
In 1860 the church was moved close to where the present one is situated on the main Street of Motueka.
Two acres of land had been given by Dr. F D Greenwood in trust in 1850 for a church and schoolmaster's house and another acre for the school.
The replacement church was dedicated in 1911 and consecrated three years later in 1914. 
One of the interesting furnishings of St Thomas' is a font which was made from the mast of the ill-fated ship, the "Fifeshire".
The photograph on this postcard was taken at the opening of the new church and was received on the 19th June, 1911.
This page was last updated: November 14, 2006