From the Vicar 

We journery through the season of Advent with the biblical people of faith of long ago, and we share their words of longing.  They yearned for signs of God's presence and still we ponder the significance of words that speak of comfort, transformation and restoration for individuals, communities and all of creation.  The burdens that still weigh us down - war, poverty, hunger, stress, grief, loneliness, poor health, climate change...are lightened by the words of promise that echo throughout the Advent season.

Then comes Christmas.  The waiting and reflection gives way to joy.  We celebrate the Good News of God with us and all creation shares in the joyful welcome.  The themes sybolised by the candles of the Advent Wreath - hope, peace, joy and love - become a reality as we celebrated God in our midst, seen and known in one another and in all we experience together.

The warmth of the New Zealand summer, the extended opportunity for holidays and recreation and time with family and friends give us moments in which to know the presence of God, with us.

May the Incarnate God bless you and all those you hold dear this Christmas and throughout the coming year.

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Situated close to the CBD of Hastings, St Matthew’s has been involved in the life of Hastings city for over 100 years. 

One of Hastings’ oldest buildings, St Matthew’s Church holds a Category One designation from the NZ Historic Places Trust.

At the heart of the parish’s witness and activity is the historic church whose wooden nave was built in 1886 with the reinforced concrete additions added in 1915.  Damage was sustained in the 1931 earthquake but restoration was undertaken, and the tower rebuilt to a reduced height.  More recent modifications provide an effective setting for liturgy and a frequently used venue for concerts and recitals.  

Within such a beautiful building, regular worship services are held on Sundays and weekdays.  Our style has a dignity appropriate to the setting but is, we trust, warm and welcoming to both visitors and regulars.

The historic St Matthew’s Church shares its central city site with several other buildings used by the Parish and others.  St Matthew’s Primary School, established in 1995, is a co-educational integrated school of over 130 pupils, from new entrant to Year 8.  St Matthew’s Early Childhood Centre provides preschool education in the nearby Canon Drake Hall.  In the large Parish Hall are located the Parish Office, an Opportunity Shop and venues for art and craft groups, a preschool music group and many other activities run by various organisations.

St Matthew’s welcomes visitors and sightseers.  The church is usually open most weekday mornings, for Sunday Services and at other times by arrangement.

Conservation Project Update

Extracts from the Committee Report to the Parish AGM

The Conservation Fundraising appeal with a target of $645,000 was launched in February 2010.  By the Annual Balance date of March 2010 donations totalling $39,999 had been received and Vestry had resolved that the bequest of $25,000 from the Estate of Len Webb would also be allocated to the Conservation project.

Shortly after the 2010 Annual Meeting, the Fundraising Committee received advice that our application to the Heritage and Environment Committee of the Lottery Grants Board had resulted in a grant of $400,000 being approved.  Read more ...

An invitation to assist with the conservation of historic St Matthew’s Anglican Church, Hastings

“St Matthew’s is synonymous with faith, a place where spirituality is nurtured; with civic life a place where people have come to enjoy music, the arts, and much more; and education, a place where the young, and perhaps not-so-young receive instruction and learn and grow.” The Right Reverend David Rice, Bishop of Waiapu

“One of the most important religious and civic centrepoints in our community – a unique architectural landmark.”  Lawrence Yule, Mayor of Hastings District

“A fine example of late 19th and early 20th century New Zealand architecture deserving further restoration work of the highest order.”  Guy Natusch, Architectural Heritage Advisor