On 6 June 2022, the final service was held at the Aotea Chapel Community in Auckland’s inner city after 172 years.

The Methodist mission journey began in Auckland city in 1851. The mission in those days was purely an evangelical society meeting a desire for religion to address the social issues of an early colonial town. It included open-air ministry in what is now Aotea Square and meeting immigrant ships on the wharfs.

A rich history followed including the ‘Helping Hand Missions’ and the popular ministry of Home Missioner, Colin Scrimgeour, who formed The Church of the Friendly Road on radio. There followed many inspirational leaders such as Rev Albert Everil Orr and Rev Bruce Gordon.

The Central Mission and Aotea Chapel community continued to serve as a witness for the Methodist Church on the main street of the Auckland city centre along with its social work until the early part of the 21st century.

But the Mission’s finances and the world had changed, and in order to move the Mission to a more financially viable position and a more modern and relevant service, the MMN board created two new Trusts: the Lifewise Trust and the Airedale Property Trust.

Lifewise rapidly expanded the Mission’s social work but moved its focus from a charity model to that of a social development agency; a hand-up rather than a hand-out model. This approach recognised the dignity of each person in need and their ability to determine their own future. A significant programme to address homelessness helped cement the Mission’s new brand, Lifewise, in the eyes of the community.

Today, Lifewise operates from a number of different sites around greater Auckland. From early childhood centres and family services in the West, to social housing developments around the city as well as providing homecare services to hundreds of people enabling them to remain in their own homes. Merge Café in Karangahape Road continues to support the street community with employment and community service opportunities.

Airedale Property Trust has ensured funding for the Mission both now and in the future by the effective management of our retirement village sites. In addition APT supports the wider Methodist Connexion with property advice.

The MMN board also developed a new way of being church, a community engagement programme called Splice. Splice creates opportunities for inner-city residents to come together to prevent social isolation and loneliness. In this way, the Mission continues its social and pastoral responsibility in the city centre.

A chaplain at large also roams the city streets connecting with retailers, businesses and the street community. A community development facilitator will shortly support the Splice team in the city centre. New partnerships with local iwi are emerging.

The Aotea Chapel has remained a valuable community of faith that sought to be a living expression of the Christian gospel in word and deed. It has been a source from which the Mission drew and developed its Christian life of service to greater Auckland and beyond.

Now the remaining small congregation of Methodists has decided to close its Sunday gatherings. Each member has relocated to a local Methodist church of their choice. The MMN board supports their decision.

Today we mark the end of a 172-year journey for a Chapel that has provided the city of Auckland with the support of a faithful and grace-filled community. We give thanks for that communion of saints. The journey for the Mission and its work continues in new expressions through Splice, Lifewise and Airedale Property Trust. We believe that these will continue to meet the needs of a multicultural, religiously diverse and gender diverse modern city centre.