Era ends as a place of Anglican worship

LIFE GOES ON: A thanksgiving and closing service will be held on Sunday at the Church of Resurrection, Te Hapara, at 10am — bringing an end to 60 years of Anglican worship at the site. Former vicar Stephen Donald (centre) says the “changing role” of the church means it will continue to be used in various capacities for years to come. Betty Ford (left), has been coming to the church for 60 years and used to play the harmonium during services. At right is Dellas Tamatea, head teacher at Waiapu Kids Te Hapara Whanau Aroha, representing the future role of the site, with Lamaya Tamatea (2) and Ridge-din Hawkins (2). Picture by Liam Clayton

CHANGING demographics and a corresponding decline in the number of worshippers have brought an end to an era for one of Gisborne’s oldest Anglican church buildings. This Sunday the morning service in The Church of Resurrection will be its last, after 60 years of regular Anglican worship at the site and nearly a century in the Te Hapara neighbourhood. But the church buildings will continue to serve the community.

While described as a closing and thanksgiving service, Reverend Stephen Donald, vicar of Te Hapara parish between 1994 and 2004, prefers to think of the service as “celebrating the past and looking forward to a brighter future”. With declining worshippers across the city’s Anglican churches, Rev Donald says it is better to pool resources, with the focus now on Holy Trinity Church, where Rev Donald has been priest in charge of the now-amalgamated Gisborne Anglican Parish since October 2015.

The Church of the Resurrection opened at Easter 1917 on a site in Cook Street. In 1956, Anglicans bought a property at 776 Childers Road and, in 1972, shifted the Church of the Resurrection from Cook Street on to the Childers Road site.

Betty Ford has been coming to the church for more than 60 years and used to play the harmonium during services. She has seen six vicars come and go.

“I have seen the beginning and the end.It is sad, but time to move on.”

Changing demographicsThe closure comes following what Rev Donald calls “changing demographics”, a struggle to stay relevant and the accompanied decline in worshippers. The church moved to a half-time ministry in 2004 before the parish amalgamated with Gisborne Anglican Parish in 2011. There are about 100 regular worshippers in the parish.

“The church community is aging — the youngsters are not coming any more.”

In the past, the church was much more the focal point of the community life.

“There was not a lot to do in society that did not revolve around the church. I know people who met their wives and husbands at bible class dances.”

Today, as people are more individual and want to do other things, the church has a “changing role”.

“Church is seen as irrelevant by some people, until they need it. We often are called on for ‘end of life’ ministries around death and dying, including funerals.”

Focus on social servicesToday the focus of the church is more on providing social services, which will continue at the Childers Road site.

Parish-based early childhood and social services initiative Waiapu Kids Te Hapara Whanau Aroha, Te Hapara Family Services (whanau support and counselling) and Growing through Grief Eastland (grief recovery programme) will continue to operate, while all-age youth group “Fish and Chip Club” will continue to meet monthly in St Mark’s Hall.

The Church of Tonga has worshipped in afternoons in the church since 2001 and other Tongan church groups, Tokaikolo Fellowship and Shiloh Community Church, have been regularly using the church complex in recent years. These groups will continue their weekly worship.

Transitional periodRev Donald says the church still has an important role as “one of the spiritual anchors of society”.

“The church is in a transitional period, facing the challenge of staying relevant in a more pluralistic society, and still being able to speak the Christian doctrine of love and peace, and to love thy neighbour.”

After it closes, Rev Donald anticipates the Sunday congregation will attend services at Holy Trinity. The church will be available for funerals and other occasions. The all-ages service, youth activities and Te Hapara Anglican Association of Women group will continue to meet in the hall and lounge at Childers Road.

“Social services activities, Tongan church fellowships and community use means the complex will remain a busy place, fulfilling part of the dream of those who acquired the property for Anglican use 60 years ago.”