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.

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From the Vicar

With Christmas celebrations now well past, our attention moves from the baby in the manger to Jesus the man of Galilee - preacher, teacher, healer and friend.  In his human life God was present in a practical and real way for the people of the first century Palestine.  We are called to direct and order our lives in balance and harmony as did he.

The season of Lent is upon us and is, leading to the Easter festival, provided as a time of reflection and renewal.  At the recent 1931 Hastings Earthquake commemoration service, a speaker from the Ministry of Civil Defence reminded those present of the four "Rs": reduction, readiness, response and recovery.  Might we also apply these beyond natural disasters affecting our community, to our own individual loves and to the Church.

We need to examine our lives and activities, and deal with anything problematical.  We then need to strengthen our resources, spiritual as well as physical, so that when there is a crisis in our lives, a strong faith and a supportive community will help us through and assist us to appropriately shape who we are to become in the future.

As a parish we also have some preparation ahead of us for the impending change.  I will finish as Vicar of St Matthew's two weeks after Easter, at which time a priest in charge will be appointed.  A lengthy process of consultation, job specification, advertising and eventual appointment will follow, with a new vicar to begin later in the year.  As both you and I move to new chapters of ministry, may we be positive about new possibilities and challenges, with thankfulness for the past and with confidence in God's guidance into the future.

Your Vicar
Graeme

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