Taihape’s 124-year-old St Margaret’s Church in need of urgent restoration

A fundraising campaign is underway for urgent repairs to St Margaret's Church.

St Margaret’s Church in Taihape needs urgent repairs after being battered by severe weather.

Completed in 1902, St Margaret’s on Huia St was the last and grandest church designed by John Sidney Swan before his firm’s senior partner, Frederick de Jersey Clere, returned from Britain.

An ecclesiastical architect, Clere designed more than 100 churches across New Zealand in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Church administrator, treasurer and property manager Lis Riley said the church was in desperate need of repairs before winter set in.

She said over the years the church had been “sinking” in one corner, which was becoming more noticeable and a trip hazard.

The church secured funding through the JBS Dudding Trust and the issue was fixed in early 2025 to maintain the integrity of the heritage class two building.

However, Riley said once the ground was raised it affected the belfry tower and stressed the galvanised guttering, first evident during last September’s storm.

“It took normal rainfall but, when the storm came in, just below the belfry and in the church we had a really bad flood,” Riley said.

“It took about 10 days to dry it all out - it was a huge cost.”

The guttering and flashing behind the belfry tower could not contain the water because of the altered flow angle, Riley said.

A response from the insurance company was delayed on whether they could begin to fix the building, so temporary repairs were made to prevent further flooding.

The church was hit again by February’s severe storm and Cyclone Vaianu.

“We said, ‘that is it, we can’t carry on like this, can we carry on and get it fixed?’” Riley said.

The insurance company said the repairs were not covered because it was deemed a maintenance issue.

Riley said there was “no choice” but to fund and fix the repairs themselves before winter to withstand further heavy rain.

“If they had told us in September, we could have got [funding] from somewhere else,” she said.

It was important to restore the church because of its heritage status and “integral” role in the community for the past 124 years, she said.

“A lot of people love this church, even people who have lived here then moved away, they come back to have a look around and say ‘this is our church.

“Even though it is just a building, it attracts people that are interested in heritage buildings.

“We know there are a lot of people around New Zealand and beyond who have ties to this lovely church and would hate to see this church in such a situation.”

The church has an electoral roll of 220 members and an average of 23 attendees at services, Riley said.

“It is the first time in 124 years that we have asked for help because we are the giving church, we really love to give,” she said.

“It’s the first time we have had to say, ‘can you help us?’”

Repairs are estimated at $10,000, with $6115 still needed to reach the target.

Donations can be made through the Givealittle page.

Fin Ocheduszko Brown is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.