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HomePrivacyTerms and conditionsAbout this site
© Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga 2026.
 
St Mary's Church (Anglican)

State Highway 4, UPOKONGARO

Private

Historic Place Category 1

List No. 163

Quick links:
List GalleryLocationDetails
St Mary's Anglican Church at Upokongaro was dedicated on 11 November 1877 and was the first church in the Wanganui Parochial District. It was built by Mr J. Randal to a plan submitted by Wanganui architect, Mr E.C. Morgan. It was not declared debt free until two years later and on the 20 July 1879 was consecrated by the Bishop of Wellington and named St Mary's.

Among the many endowments are three stained glass windows imported from England by Mr & Mrs H. Montgomery in memory of their son, Archibald, who was drowned when the 'Avalanche' sank in the English Channel in 1877. The distinctive feature of St Mary's is its unusual spire which is designed to rise from four corners at the base to three giving the impression that the spire is leaning.

The church in its rural setting overlooking the Wanganui River is a landmark and a symbol of pioneer faith.
St Mary's Church, Upokongaro. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Image courtesy of www.flickr.com | Shellie Evans – flyingkiwigirl | 10/10/2022 | Shellie Evans
St Mary's Church, Upokongaro. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Image courtesy of www.flickr.com | Shellie Evans – flyingkiwigirl | 10/10/2022 | Shellie Evans
St Mary's Church, Upokongaro. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Image courtesy of www.flickr.com | Shellie Evans – flyingkiwigirl | 10/10/2022 | Shellie Evans
St Mary's Church, Upokongaro. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Image courtesy of www.flickr.com | Shellie Evans – flyingkiwigirl | 10/10/2022 | Shellie Evans
St Mary's Church, Upokongaro. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Image courtesy of www.flickr.com | Shellie Evans – flyingkiwigirl | 10/10/2022 | Shellie Evans
St Mary's Church, Upokongaro. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Image courtesy of www.flickr.com | Shellie Evans – flyingkiwigirl | 10/10/2022 | Shellie Evans

List Entry Information

Overview

Status
Listed

List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1

Access
Private/No Public Access

List Number
163

Date Entered
22nd November 1984

Date of Effect
22nd November 1984

City/District Council
Whanganui District

Region
Horizons (Manawatū-Whanganui) Region

Extent of List Entry

Extent includes part of the land described as Pt Sec 163 Left Bank Wanganui River (RT WN349/278), Wellington Land District, the building known as St Mary’s Church (Anglican) and the lych gate thereon. Refer to the extent map tabled at the Board meeting on 27 June 2019.

Legal description

Pt Sec 163 Left Bank Wanganui River (RT WN349/278), Wellington Land District

Detailed List Entry

Construction Details

Start Year

1877

Type

Original Construction

Reference

Report Written By

This place was identified as significant under previous legislation with different information requirements. It remains significant under the current legislation. There is opportunity under our legislation and policies to add to this information. Further information about this place may be available from the Central Regional Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions. This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. The following text is the original citation considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Information in square brackets indicate modifications made after the paper was considered by the NZHPT Board.

Further Information

Current Usages

Uses: Religion

Specific Usage: Church

Former Usages

General Usage:: Religion

Specific Usage: Church

Themes

Web Links

Overview

Status

Listed

List Entry Status

Historic Place Category 1

Access

Private/No Public Access

List Number

163

Date Entered

22nd November 1984

Date of Effect

22nd November 1984

City/District Council

Whanganui District

Region

Horizons (Manawatū-Whanganui) Region

Extent of List Entry

Extent includes part of the land described as Pt Sec 163 Left Bank Wanganui River (RT WN349/278), Wellington Land District, the building known as St Mary’s Church (Anglican) and the lych gate thereon. Refer to the extent map tabled at the Board meeting on 27 June 2019.

Legal description

Pt Sec 163 Left Bank Wanganui River (RT WN349/278), Wellington Land District

Status

Listed

List Entry Status

Historic Place Category 1

Access

Private/No Public Access

List Number

163

Date Entered

22nd November 1984

Date of Effect

22nd November 1984

City/District Council

Whanganui District

Region

Horizons (Manawatū-Whanganui) Region

Extent of List Entry

Extent includes part of the land described as Pt Sec 163 Left Bank Wanganui River (RT WN349/278), Wellington Land District, the building known as St Mary’s Church (Anglican) and the lych gate thereon. Refer to the extent map tabled at the Board meeting on 27 June 2019.

Legal description

Pt Sec 163 Left Bank Wanganui River (RT WN349/278), Wellington Land District

Construction Information

Construction Details

Start Year

1877

Type

Original Construction

Construction Details

Start Year

1877

Type

Original Construction

Reference

Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau

Other Information

This place was identified as significant under previous legislation with different information requirements. It remains significant under the current legislation. There is opportunity under our legislation and policies to add to this information. Further information about this place may be available from the Central Regional Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions. This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. The following text is the original citation considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Information in square brackets indicate modifications made after the paper was considered by the NZHPT Board.

Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau

Other Information

This place was identified as significant under previous legislation with different information requirements. It remains significant under the current legislation. There is opportunity under our legislation and policies to add to this information. Further information about this place may be available from the Central Regional Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions. This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. The following text is the original citation considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Information in square brackets indicate modifications made after the paper was considered by the NZHPT Board.

Further Information

Current Usages

Uses: Religion

Specific Usage: Church

Former Usages

General Usage: Religion

Specific Usage: Church

Current Usages

Uses: Religion

Specific Usage: Church

Former Usages

General Usage: Religion

Specific Usage: Church

Location

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