| 127 COMMUNITY St Oswald’s Memorial Church Your trusted insurance broker Connect with our Blenheim team 03 578 0228 | marlborough@ajg.co.nz T T Karen Phelps Church to mark 100 years St Oswald’s Memorial Church has only recently reopened following an extensive restoration after the building was badly damaged in the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake. An historic East Coast church will celebrate a major milestone next year when St Oswald’s Memorial Church marks 100 years since it was built. The small stone church on SH 1, just north of Kekerengu, will celebrate its centenary with a 100 Year Birthday Summer Fun event on February 13, 2027, bringing local families and the wider community together for an afternoon of music and celebration featuring Canadian folk singer and storyteller James Gray. The centenary comes at an especially significant time for St Oswald’s, which has only recently reopened following an extensive restoration after the building was badly damaged in the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake. “It’s been quite a journey to restore the church,” says Leicester Murray, who chairs the Saint Oswald’s Memorial Trust. “What initiated it was the Kaikōura earthquake that deemed the building unsafe. It was the catalyst for the strengthening, repairs, and everything else.” The church officially reopened over Waitangi Weekend, and has since hosted several weddings, an Easter service and other services. It is now available for community events, celebrations and gatherings, with enquiries welcome from those wanting to use the historic building. The restoration included realignment of the south wall, structural strengthening with steel rods to meet public safety standards, a new polymeric slate tile roof, and extensive masonry repairs to restore the church’s stonework. Two damaged stained-glass windows were fully restored and reinstalled by Graham Stewart Stained Glass in Rangiora, and the church bell was repaired by Bruce Murray and Johnny Malthus before being returned to the building. The grounds have also been revitalised with a new stone-walled entrance and parking area, fencing and drainage improvements, selective tree removal and native planting. The landscaping plan was designed by Leicester to honour those buried at the site and create a peaceful setting for visitors to enjoy the coastal views. The church’s centenary also provides an opportunity to reflect on why it was built in the first place. In 1927, Charles and Jessie Murray built the church in memory of their son, Charles Hector Heaton Murray, known as Hector, who had died aged 19. The name Oswald was chosen after King Oswald of Northumbria, who was also killed as a young man. Almost 100 years later, tragedy struck the Murray family again when Leicester and Laura lost their 21-year-old son, Wilson, in 2022. Leicester says that Wilson was passionate about the restoration project and was alive while the work was getting underway. His ashes, along with Hector’s, have now been interred within the church walls, with plaques commemorating both young men. “A lot of the push to restore the church is out of respect for them and previous generations who have given much of their time to the church,” says Leicester. “The current trustees felt it was a responsibility to do that and it’s fantastic to have it completed.” The Saint Oswald’s Memorial Trust took ownership of the church and grounds in late 2023, allowing the trustees to oversee the restoration and secure the building’s future. “We had tremendous support from friends and family from around the world to get the project complete,” says Leicester. Now, as St Oswald’s approaches its 100th birthday, the hope is that the church will continue serving locals, travellers and future generations for many years to come. “It’s a place for people to call in off the highway and it’s been appreciated by locals and people from outside New Zealand alike,” says Leicester. “It’s also lovely that many of Wilson’s friends have been able to come and remember him. It’s a special place.” BLENHEIM’S RELIABLE & EXPERIENCED BRICKLAYER Bennett Blenheim is your leading local provider of quality bricklaying services. Our experienced bricklayers can provide comprehensive masonry and stone work for new homes, renovations and extensions throughout Blenheim and the surrounding areas. • COMPREHENSIVE MASONRY AND STONE MASONRY WORK • FULLY EQUIPPED • EFFICIENT AND RELIABLE • STO PLASTER SYSTEMS 027 438 9015 thebennett@xtra.co.nz 171 New Renwick Rd, Blenheim Proudly Supporting St Oswalds Church www.eckford.co.nz 1 Auckland Street, Blenheim . Phone: 03 578 3002 STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING: Steel Fabrication · House Beams Galvanised Brick Lintels · Winery Catwalks and Platforms
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