Reopening of St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Temuka

On Sunday, 8 December, our parish will celebrate the reopening of St Joseph’s Catholic Church, following its strengthening and refurbishment. This marks an exciting milestone for our community, and I personally can’t wait to see it restored to its former glory.

For as long as I can remember, the Catholic church has stood proudly in the heart of Temuka, its spire visible from miles away, even as far as Rise Road. The truly magnificent structure, is even more remarkable when you consider it was built entirely by hand over 140 years ago—an astonishing feat without the modern machinery and technology we rely on today. As a child, I didn’t fully grasp the significance of this beautiful building, though it played a central role in my upbringing.

When I left Temuka in 1999, the church remained a familiar landmark during my visits back.  After the Christchurch earthquake in 2011, it was probably about 6 years since I returned to my hometown, and imagine my surprise when I noticed the spire had been removed!  The church felt incomplete, as if it had been cut in half—such a strange and unsettling sight.

St Joseph’s holds countless cherished memories for me. Sitting in the choir loft with my Nana during Sunday Mass; watching my sister play the majestic pipe organ from that same loft; ringing the bells; climbing the  rickety steeple stairs to watch my uncle tend to the clock; saying a final goodbye to my dad at his funeral... These moments have left an indelible mark on my heart.

When I returned to New Zealand in 2019, I was relieved to hear that Mass was once again being held in the church, though it felt strange entering through the side door instead of the front. Gone were the days of quietly sneaking in if you were late. The absence of the pipe organ, replaced by a simple piano, and the closure of the choir loft were small but poignant losses.

In just 10 days time, our beloved church will be fully restored. The steeple is now structurally sound, topped with a lighter-weight spire. The stunning stained-glass windows, carefully repaired and refurbished, have been returned to their rightful places. The bell cradles have been restored, and the original bells, brought all the way from America, will once again ring out across the community on Sunday mornings, calling us to Mass.

This restoration is a powerful reminder: you don’t truly appreciate what you have until it’s gone. While children may not fully grasp the significance of this moment, one day, they’ll be able to share a special story—that they were there for the first Sunday Mass in the beautifully restored church. And what a story that will be to tell.