Bus trip promises insights on Whanganui River icons

The special character of St Joseph's Church at Jeruselum has been added to since the original church was destroyed by fire in 1888.

Friends of the Whanganui River are offering an escorted day outing to Jerusalem with stops along the way to explore notable points of interest.

The tour will be guided by Jim Parnell, editor of the society's Whanganui River Annual .

"Jerusalem, or Hiruharama in Maori, is one of the largest settlements on the Whanganui River and became prominent when Suzanne Aubert who was better known as Mother Mary Joseph, established the congregation of the Sisters of Compassion," said Mr Parnell.

"A convent remains on the mission property as well as St Joseph's Church, which replaced the original building destroyed by fire in 1888.

"Being in regular use, the Sisters of Compassion still care for them and they have become icons for the Whanganui River.

"This will only increase in the probable event of Suzanne Aubert being canonised."

Mr Parnell will talk about interesting facts along the way and stops will be made at places of interest including morning tea at the Matahiwi Gallery.

The coffee shop and gallery occupies the old school building which was once the Parinui School.

The building was brought down the river from its original home several miles above Pipiriki when that school closed.

In front of the gallery is a prop from Vincent Ward's 2006 film,

River Queen

, which was filmed on and around the Whanganui River.

The River Queen prop from the film of the same name is at Matahiwi Gallery on the Whanganui River Rd.

"The replica boat is a small, but realistic looking steam powered riverboat," says Mr Parnell.

"The boiler might look like steel, but tap it and see."

The day long bus trip to Jerusalem will depart from Whanganui i-Site on Sunday, October 15 at 9am and will return at around 5pm. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for school aged children and are available from the Whanganui i-Site. Please phone Alan (06) 345-0895, or Jim (06) 345-1642 with any queries.