In July 2022, Touchstone featured an article on the redevelopment of the community church on Great Barrier Island. On Sunday 19 March 2023, the community gathered to celebrate the completion of the long-awaited and highly anticipated extension project.

Rev Martin Baker, parish Presbyterian representative led the Sunday service, with support from Auckland friends sharing prayers and Maugapaia Ropeti-lupeli, accompanying as a pianist. After greetings and fellowship, Patrick O'Shea gave a special karakia in Māori and English before inviting people involved in the project to reflect and comment on the convoluted, three-year journey.

Speakers included representatives from a variety of funding organisations and partner churches. They were thanked for their generous financial support and involvement that contributed to the creation of a welcome multi-use meeting place for church members and the wider Island community. Local tradespeople and members of the community were also thanked for their practical and financial support. Project leader Teresa Manion-Wood said, “All these folk deserve a “gold star” because all have made this venture possible.”

Five ecumenical church representatives blessed the new facility in prayer as they followed Rev Dianne Miller-Keeley, Anglican guest, sprinkling Holy water with fern fronds around the new extensions.

Guests then shared a barbeque lunch on the veranda, enjoying the view across the community garden and beyond to the surrounding green hills of Medlands Valley.

St John's Community Church Building Project Subcommittee team (Ben Sanderson, Kate Langford, Pat Sanderson, Doreen Scott, and Teresa Manion-Wood) extend a special thanks to:

Ray Simpkin, Methodist, Anglican, Presbyterian, & Catholic Churches, St John's Community Church, local Community Board, St John's Op Shop, Awana Rural Women, and the local community for their fundraising support.