160 Years of Worship
“This Sunday we celebrate our Patronal Festival (or Feast of Title), St Mark the Evangelist. But not only are we celebrating this auspicious day but we are also celebrating 160 years of Worship on this site. May 6th 1865 was an extremely wet day, so sheltering under the umbrella of Mrs Murry- Ansley the Primate of New Zealand Bishop Selwyn, assisted by Bishop Harper of Christchurch and Bishop Williams of Waiapu, laid the foundation stone of St Mark’s Church here in Opawa. The Church was then consecrated on October 12 th 1865 by Bishop Harper. It was Christmas Day that the first baptism in the church was celebrated and the first wedding took place the following year on March 8 th . At parish annual general meeting in 1870 it was noted in the Incumbent report that the average health of the Church of England portion of the community was excellent, “The voice of joy and health had been heard in their dwellings,” and during the past year he had to attend the burial of only two adult parishioners-one of whom was removed by accident”. Over the past 160 years the St Mark’s church has been a place of prayer, worship and community. We have the privilege and responsibility of living within that tradition and passing it on.
“Go out into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15).
God Bless you
Parish Officers
Parish Governance
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