The former St Patrick’s Catholic Church was built in 1873 and is one of the oldest surviving churches in the Wellington Region. It is a significant early Catholic church constructed at a time when local families either travelled the rough Makara-Karori road to attend Mass at the Cathedral at Hill Street, or gathered for worship in each others houses.
Makara has a rich history of Māori settlement and occupation, and a number of iwi are associated with the long stretch of rugged coastline that runs from Ohau Bay to Ohariu Bay. European settlement followed the survey of the Wellington land district in 1839 by the New Zealand Company and St Patrick’s Church is located on part of Section 23, one of the first 39 (100 acre) sites to be sold in the area. The area in and around Section 23 is known to have been cultivated and there are many local sites that are significant for their archaeology and to iwi.
The inland settlement at Makara was established along the river valley that runs approximately parallel to the coastline. Settler numbers increased after the construction of the Makara to Karori road in 1858, and further expansion occurred after gold was discovered in 1862. At this time it appeared that Makara would prosper and plans were prepared to construct a Catholic Church in the small rural town – ahead of other settlements such as Ohariu Valley, Porirua, Tawa Flat, and Pauatahanui. The Rev. Father Cummins arranged for the purchase of an acre of land for £50 and architect Charles Tringham was commissioned to design a “Roman Catholic Church at Makara”. When Cummins, visited the site on June the 15th 1873 the local community pitched a tent to serve as a temporary chapel where Mass was celebrated and the ground blessed. The service was a rare opportunity for the community to attend Mass, and Rev. Father Cummins noted that “It being a country district, there were many who, on account of the badness of the road and the distance to town, had been unable to attend to their Easter duties.”
Construction of the permanent church cost £300 and it was opened by the Right Dr Moran, Bishop of Dunedin, on the 7th September 1873. The opening ceremony was attended by over 300 people including a choir from the cathedral and convent in Thorndon – the nearest Catholic Church. The new church was described as Gothic in style with seating capacity for 150 people.
The church was served sporadically by visiting clergy throughout the 19th and early 20th century. It was joined by St Teresa’s in Karori in 1920 and became part of the Karori Parish in 1940. This allowed for regular Mass to be held at St Patrick’s until the church closed in 1982, and the closure was due to a dwindling congregation. The Parish Committee then voted to demolish the church but were persuaded to sell the building for a nominal fee. The building is now owned by the local community, although the site remains in the ownership of the Catholic Church.
The local community have repaired and altered the building to suit its function as a local venue, and as a memorial to Makara’s European settler history. In 1988 a small c.1868 cottage originally owned by the Monk family was moved onto the site when the cottage was threatened with demolition.
A series of modern stained glass windows designed by artist Jenni Bennett were installed from 1989 - 2008, and these depict historic scenes and personalities from Makara’s past. The church has been deconsecrated but, according to the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, “still maintains a strong sense of spiritual significance and value.” It is currently used as community and wedding venue, and tourist destination.
