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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Farewell to the Rev'd Graeme Pilgrim

A moving service was held on Sunday 22 April to farewell our long serving Vicar, the Rev'd Graeme Pilgrim, who led the Thanksgiving Eucharist.  The Bishop of Waiapu, the Rt Rev'd David Rice and the Bishop's Chaplain, the Rev'd Jenny Dawson then led the Liturgy to Mark the End of a Pastoral Relationship. 

The service was attended by around 250 parishioners and well-wishers, many of whom attended a lunch in the parish hall, during which their were speeches of appreciation for Graeme's ministry over almost 15 years, following by presentations of farewell gifts.

As mentioned at the lunch, "We are never ready for good things to come to an end but, sadly for our parish, we have to say our farewells.  But mostly we want to say thank you, thank you, thank you, Graeme, for your ministry in this parish, for all you have done and meant to us.  We treasure and celebrate the memories.  It has been a privilege to have you as Vicar of our Parish. 

We wish you every blessing as you step out onto the next path of your journey.  We wish you a wonderful holiday and that you return to Hawke's Bay refreshed and ready for new challenges, and are able to fit in some retirement of course". 

Easter Message from our retiring Vicar

Darkness and light, Death and life, Crucifixion and Resurrection.  Good Friday and Easter Day are in sharp contrast but the second cannot happen without the experience of the first.  There must be an ending before there can be a new beginning.  The first followers of Jesus were grief stricken at the unjust murder of their friend which brought also the end of their hopes for the Kingdom of God on Earth.  Yet a new better life was now possible.  No longer was the good news focussed and entirely dependant on one mortal man.  In resurrection, the presence and hope of Christ was now possible for all people and for all time.  Christ had certainly died but now was more alive than ever before.  The ending of one chapter allows the start of another.

"Jesus lives! Henceforth is death but the gate of life immortal." - traditional Easter hymn.

I am so grateful for my nearly 15 years as Vicar of St Matthew's.  It is time for a new chapter for you and a new chapter for me.  Thank you to so many for so much.  The time spent with you has shaped and moulded me.  I have shared greatly with many - families, groups and individuals - 157 baptisms, 66 weddings, 256 funerals and countless other times of worship, ministry and encounters of all kinds!  Together the life of Christ has been experienced in one another.  There is now formal parting but we still continue to journey with God together.  With my gratitude to God and you all, and blessing for this Easter and always.

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