St Luke’s Greytown marks 150 years

St Luke’s Greytown is preparing to celebrate a significant milestone, marking 150 years since the consecration of its original church building in 1876.

A weekend of celebrations on 9 and 10 October will bring together parishioners, former parish members, and the wider community to honour the church’s history and look ahead to its future.

Vicars Adrian and Michelle Tofts say the anniversary is an opportunity to give thanks for generations of faithful ministry in Greytown.

"For 150 years, St Luke’s has been a place where people have gathered to worship, celebrate, grieve, serve, and encounter God," they said. "This anniversary is a chance to honour those who have gone before us and to celebrate the community that continues to grow and thrive here today."

Celebrations begin with a Gala Dinner on Friday 9 October at St Luke’s Church. Guests will enjoy a two-course meal, live music from a jazz duo featuring a mystery performer from the congregation, and a special guest speaker.

On Saturday 10 October, Bishop Justin Duckworth will preach and preside at a Service of Thanksgiving at 1pm. The service will also include the confirmation of several parish members. Following the service, celebrations will continue at Pāpāwai Marae, with guests gathering for afternoon tea and a pōwhiri.

The anniversary commemorates a remarkable chapter in the life of the parish. On Thursday 1 June 1876, a partial public holiday was declared in Greytown to mark the consecration of St Luke’s Anglican Church. Bishop Octavius Hadfield, Bishop of Wellington, officiated at the consecration of the enlarged 1869 building and confirmed 21 candidates.

While that original wooden church was destroyed by fire in 1968, the parish rebuilt on the same site, and the current church was consecrated in 1972. Since then, the grounds have continued to develop with a new vicarage, hall, and playground.

Among the stories preserved in parish lore is the mystery of the church’s 50kg bell, which disappeared during the 1968 fire. Rumours spread that it had exploded or been stolen, only for a choir boy to discover it buried beneath two feet of ash three days later. The fire also uncovered a giant tōtara stump beneath the altar, confirming local stories that early settlers had built the church atop the remains of a massive tree.

"As we celebrate our history, we're also looking to the future," say Adrian and Michelle. "Planting a new tōtara tree during the anniversary weekend is a symbol of faith, resilience and hope for generations still to come."

People wishing to attend the celebrations are asked to register by Monday 28 September through the St Luke’s website. More information is available at stlukesgreytown.co.nz.