Futures Festival at Kāhui St David's

UPTOWN FUTURES FESTIVAL


We are delighted to be involved in the Uptown Futures Festival, to facilitate and encourage collaborative change in this exciting neighbourhood. 

The Uptown Business Association, alongside local business The Urban Advisory, have partnered with the University of Auckland, Unitec and AUT to reimagine our neighbourhood and create visions of its potential. 

Over 550 architecture and design students have considered the urban regeneration of Uptown through their studies this year. The Uptown Futures Festival will showcase their work and provide a catalyst for community input into the development of the area.

 

Kāhui St David's is proud to be hosting: 
Uptown Futures Festival Launch Event

Saturday 8th July 4pm - 6:30pm
Doors open from 3pm. 
Great Hall, Kāhui St David's
70 Khyber Pass Road, Grafton.

You’ll enjoy a thought-provoking panel discussion along with an acoustic music performance by the brilliant singer-songwriter and multi instrumentalist Nick Dow.  On the panel discussion lead by Bernard Hickey,  you'll hear from Chlöe Swarbrick (MP for Auckland Central), Sibyl Bloomfield (Lecturer and Researcher at AUT), Anahera Rawiri (Principal at ABH Limited) and Patrick Reynolds (Director at Waka Kotahi). 

Get your free ticket at eventbrite.
More info: https://www.uptown.co.nz/future

Uptown Futures Festival Student Showcase Pop-up

Thursday 6 - Saturday 8 July, 1pm - 6pm.
North Chapel (Madeira Lane entrance)
Kāhui St David's, 70 Khyber Pass Road, Grafton.

On display, there'll be digital installations, large-format designs, models, interactive displays and much more.  These free exhibitions will give you the opportunity to see and absorb a huge range of different ideas, from urban furniture and mixed-use developments and housing, to neighbourhood-wide strategies; all centred around making sure Uptown maintains its unique character as it evolves.  
More info: https://www.uptown.co.nz/future

Come along and immerse yourself in captivating designs/ideas and thought-provoking panel discussions.

It’s HAPPENING

Since ANZAC Eve, we have continued restoration work on St David’s, inside and out.   Stone mullions, leadlight windows, floor repairs, ceiling repairs, the list is exhaustive!   This has been made possible thanks to the grants, pro-bono and volunteer support.  We are very grateful for your support. 

If you would like to further contribute to this legacy project either by donating, or with your time, we welcome your support. 

Please contact Paul on 021 521 574 or  paul@KahuiStDavids.nz

Arch repairs in progress, mullion repair completed.

Floors repaired, new entry mats and doorstep.  Getting on with improving the essentials.

THANKS TO OUR VOLUNTEERS

It takes a village to prepare the building and grounds for a big event!  Thanks to the volunteers who came to the working bee on Saturday.  The pews are sparkling, the gardens are weed-free, and the place is feeling great. 

Bindi Robb – working through driving rain (sleet!) on her Saturday morning. 

Lara and Claudio pulling weeds before helping prep the Great Hall.   

Clean pews, just in time for Uptown Futures Festival

MEET A STAR VOLUNTEER

It is our pleasure to introduce you to Brian Hughes.  Brian came on board in the leadup to ANZAC Eve, and has since been working to problem-solve and advise on building restoration strategy and planning.  A lifetime in the construction industry, Brian brings a wealth of knowledge and experience.  Brian’s connection to the place goes back through time.  Brian's grandfather JM Elliffe is named on the Role of Honour, and the Behold I Stand at the Door and Knock window near the pulpit is currently being restored by the extended Elliffe family.

Thank you Brian for your awesome support.

Brian Hughes

INTRODUCING NAVJOT & BUSINESS SHINE

Since 2015, Navjot Singh has volunteered for the Trust, including for the Art of Remembrance project, and many of our major events.  Navjot has just launched a new carpet cleaning, floor cleaning, upholstery cleaning, floor polishing and water-blasting service, Business Shine.  He has just done a superb job on the North Chapel, stairs, lower lobby and Great Hall.  Please consider Navjot for home or work.
 
www.businessshine.co.nz or phone 021 282 0006

Navjot Singh

THANK YOU

Thank you for being part of this exciting journey.  We look forward to seeing you soon at Kāhui St David’s.

REMEMBRANCE 2023

Music is a universal language that can speak to us all - to uplift our collective consciousness - to see that our present, honours their sacrifice.


After weeks of preparing St David's Memorial Church to host The Art of Remembrance 2023 - rebuilding of sections of the ceiling and walls of the Great Hall, floor repairs, roof repairs, electrical re-wiring, painting, staining, additional handrails, and days of cleaning and work in the gardens - the doors opened.   Thanks to all who made this possible!

Illuminated red on the outside - thanks to Angus Muir Design - and glowing within, filled with guests from across the region and beyond. It was a night of music and commemoration that we will not forget.

Horomona Horo sounded the great pūkaea - a taonga pūoro (traditional Māori wind instrument) and members of the New Zealand Defence Force, current and retired, were piped in to The Hills of Argyll by David Harvey on the bagpipes.

Military and families were seated in seats of honour, and members of the Corps of Royal New Zealand Engineers and Sappers of New Zealand in the Sappers' Memorial Chapel within the Great Hall.

Kaumatua Tautoko Witika inspired with his presence and grace, and shared the meaning of the new, additional name for the Friends of St David's Trust, which is Kāhui Rangi Pūpū, meaning 'gathering place of the heavenly trumpets'.

A superb address by Lieutenant Colonel (Rtd) Chris Mullane who spoke of the symbols of remembrance, and encouraged younger generations to wear the medals of their forebears on their right side (recipients of medals wear them on the left).

The Off Broadway Big Band, the great 1910 Croft Pipe Organ played by Walter Nicholls and the voices of all present filled the hall with music to the rafters.  Horomona Horo also played He Kohikohinga Roimata, a compilation of waiata mōteatea to remember the tears of our lost ones and those who fought for us all.

Simon O'Neill ONZM, who sings at the greatest opera houses of the world happened to be on these shores and, together with Somi Kim who is the great pianist of the celebrated NZTrio, stepped into the breach at the 9th hour when another of our musical performance fell over due to illness.  From George Butterworth's Loveliest of Trees, Is my team ploughing (Butterworth was killed 5 August 1916 shot by a sniper, Battle of Somme), to "the otherside", Gustav Mahler's Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen (Dies Vienna, Austro Hungarian Empire 1911).  Simon and Somi finished with Ross Parker and Hughie Charle's We'll meet again, made famous by Vera Lynn.   Spontaneous applause!

The Ode was read by Kaumatua Tautoko Witika, and Graham Judge, Chair, Friends of St David's Trust Kāhui Rangi Pūpū.

Corporal Toby Hutton 3 Troop, 2 Field Squadron, RNZE lowered the New Zealand flag during the playing of the Last Post, and raised the flag during the playing of The Rouse.

We learnt that for evening services, The Rouse is played instead of the Reveille, which is played only at dawn.

We sang Hine e Hine, beautifully led by soloist Michelle Thorne and the Off Broadway Big Band, and gathered afterwards to enjoy home made ANZAC biscuits in the Vestibule.

Special thanks to our Event Partners, Donor Partners, Founding Patrons, Founding Friends, Volunteers and businesses who support the Trust's work. 

Thanks to Renée Tanner and Alex Bonham, Waitematā Local Board Member, for the images below.   Jeff Smith is also creating a video that we will share with you in the coming weeks.  

Finally, a very special thanks to Founding Patron Max Gimblett ONZM whose gift of the Remembrance quatrefoils in 2015 launched The Art of Remembrance project… St David's stands today as testament to this great gift.


Together, we will remember them. 

SERVICE GALLERY

SUPPORTING THE RESTORATION PROJECT 

We are a small, fully independent, charitable Trust dedicated to the restoration of St David's for the community.  We are grateful for the generous support of our patrons, donors and our community of volunteers and supporters. 

If you would like to make a koha to support the restoration project,  please click the MAKE A DONATION button below or email contact@saintdavidsfriends.org.nz  

BECOME A ST DAVID'S VOLUNTEER

f you would like to contribute to the Trust’s work as a volunteer, please let us know! 

With a nigh-on 100 year-old building, and a music centre in development, there is always plenty to be done.  It’s a special project that attracts awesome people. 

Contact  Paul if you'd like to get involved on paul@KahuiStDavids.nz  

AUTUMN UPDATE

In 2015 we established The Art of Remembrance, the first of what has become an annual, artistic project to honour all who have served this country at war and in peacekeeping.
 
This year, on ANZAC Eve (Monday 24 April) music filled the Great Hall of St David’s, the Soldiers’ Memorial Church.  We were joined by musicians David Harvey, Horomona Horo, Katherine Winitana, Emmanuel Fonoti Fuimaono, Walter Nicholls and the Off Broadway Big Band.
 
Despite a year of big repairs and maintenance at St David’s – scores of roof leaks, concreting, stone repairs, leadlight rebuilds, electrical work – and more work under way, we were able to welcome everyone and then have them join us afterwards for home made ANZAC biscuits and hot beverages.

Dawn Judge – Trustee, Treasurer, painter!

BECOME A ST DAVID'S VOLUNTEER

If you would like to contribute to the Trust’s work as a volunteer, please let us know! 

With a nigh-on 100 year-old building, and a music centre in development, there is always plenty to be done.  It’s a special project that attracts awesome people. 

Contact:  Paul if you'd like to get involved on paul@KahuiStDavids.nz  

RESTORATION PHOTO ALBUM

Josh Gautron, Sapper and former Royal New Zealand Engineer, has been working with his father Paul on preliminary restoration work on the RNZE window, and other Oamaru stone window mullions.

Paul Newson, of Millar Samson Engineers, installing the restored metal window surround and leadlight window. 

St David’s was the childhood church of Max Gimblett ONZM, and the quatrefoils in the architecture inspired his practice – and The Art of Remembrance project in 2015.  The restoration of this window took a knuckle boom on the outside and scaffolding within.  Superb work by A Touch of Glass – thank you John and Shelley.

A hole the size of a small pinhead caused massive damage to the ceiling and walls over 20 years. Thanks to builder Chris Waddington for his great restoration work and to Chris Vincent of South Pacific Timer for the gift of the precious Rimu timber sarking. 

Dawn doing restoration work to the mullions.  It was necessary to remove all the old paint that prevented the stone from breathing, and to re-paint in lime-based, natural paint.  Two windows done, ten to go!

What it takes to restore the small quatrefoil window up high.  Cut it out, restore it, re-insert, and hand-mortar back in.

Strapping the RNZE window. 

Paul Newson part way through the restoration of the lower section of the Good Shepherd window.

Taping up a window for transport to A Touch of Glass for restoration. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR & THANK YOU

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  May 2023 be a beautiful year for you, your family and friends.  

Our thoughts are also with those who are experiencing tough times, both here, and across the world.
 
As the New Year begins, we reflect also on the year that was.  

We are very thankful to so many people and entities who have given so very much to bring St David's into the ownership of the Trust, and to those who are supporting critical restoration and enabling work, including the creation of Kāhui St David's, the centre for music and community.  

War & Peace, 'Well done thou good and faithful servant' Soldiers' window.  Acrylic paint removed off the Oamaru stone to let it breathe.  Repairs now need to be done to the stone, inside and out.

One of the great challenges of the year was taking on a nigh-on 100-year-old building that was in need of a lot of love, in numerous directions, all at once.  We have fixed the numerous leaks in the roofs, completed the Type 4 fire detection system (it now connects to the Fire Service) and emergency exit lighting, undertaken drainage and plumbing repairs, concrete repairs, leadlight window repairs, stone repairs, floor repairs, and much else.  

A highlight of 2022 was the first Art of Remembrance ANZAC Eve service held indoors, and the week-long illuminations and soundscapes in the grounds.  

Another great milestone was the gift to the Trust of a very meaningful, additional new name:  Kāhui Rangi Pūpū.   Also, the name for the new centre for music:  Kāhui St David's.   Again, we thank Kaumatua Tautoko Witika.   If you haven't already seen it, view the video that shares some of the meanings behind 'Kāhui Rangi Pūpū'.  It's on the homepage. 

To our Partners, Patrons, Benefactors, Friends and Volunteers:  we thank you.  All  that was achieved in 2022 has been made possible thanks to you.

ODE TO VOLUNTEERS

Gardens a jungle, weeds pushing high
Mud-splattered laneways, no safe passage by
Dust and debris on the carpets, ledges and pews
Piles of dishes in the Vestibule, the Zip has blown a fuse!
Inspection holes in walls and ceilings, needing to be made
 Seven hundred? staples to pull, right across the stage
Hark! knocking at the door - who could it be?
Volunteer angels! come to save St D.

INTRODUCTIONS

We would like to thank, and to introduce you to some of our incredible volunteers. 

Paul Wymer 

Paul brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the field of concrete construction and restoration.  Determining how to restore a 100 year-old concrete and masonry building, from research and strategy phase through to procurement of a contractor and ultimately building works, it all demands considerable ability, experience and dedication.  Paul is working alongside architect Claire Chambers, structural engineer Dizhur Consulting, and the Trust's Building Working Group.

Paul is the Director of Contech, with a BE (Civil) Hons, NZCE (Civil) and FEngNZ.  

Mary-Ann Judge

Mary-Ann has for many years worked tirelessly at every major event we have hosted, and has been there, ready to muck in, at so very many challenging junctures.  Whatever the challenge, Mary-Ann brings her incredible energy, determination, and humour to see the job is done, and always to the highest standards.  From brain-storming Kāhui St David's operational strategy, to transforming the grounds, to making the Great Hall feel great once more, Mary-Ann is a guardian angel of St D.

David Brown

It was ANZAC week 2022, and David and family came to check out the projections in the grounds.  Looking up at the towering facades of the Soldier's Memorial Church, David asked: how can I help?  
David brings a wealth of experience, and a welcome sense of humour, with years of experience in building and complex project management.  

If there is an immediate challenge at hand, David is there, always finding the time.

The image below captures David in the middle of it, opening up ceilings and walls to enable inspections of the structure.  

GIFTS


In addition to the work required on the building, there is much needed to make it usable - and beautiful.  Our aim is that everyone feels at home when they visit Kāhui St David's.  And that includes experiencing manaakitanga (hospitality), and spaces where people can relax, connect with others, and work.

Shirley Anne Dyer

Shirley Anne has gifted the Trust a superb antique, Oak table with a stunning and lovingly hand-polished top and carved legs, and matching set of six chairs. 
 

The table is now a fixture of the Vestibule (entry lobby), serving as the meetings table, hospitality table, and centre-piece of the room.  The chairs are now doing service around the Board Room table, strong and well made for extended board meetings!  

When the Centre opens, both the Vestibule and Board Room will be available to be enjoyed by the community.  Thank you Shirley Anne for your generous gifts.

Robert Vette

The Trust is now the Kaitiaki (guardian) of the building, and also of its historic heritage contents.  We will be creating a library-museum-gallery within one of the existing spaces for the purpose, and two very important books will be part of it.  

Our thanks to Robert Vette who has had two of the most valuable books restored and protected for posterity.  

TRUSTEES

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the tireless service, hard work, professionalism and expertise of fellow Trustees, Graham Judge,  John Morrow, Dawn Judge, Carole Pedder and Craig Stevenson.

YOU

And finally, thank you for being part of the Kāhui St David's whānau of Friends.   Here's to you!

NOVEMBER UPDATE | REMEMBRANCE DAY

REMEMBRANCE DAY

Today is Remembrance Day, marking 103 years since the end of World War One. A war
that took the lives of 20 million people and injured 21 million worldwide.

There were 58,000 New Zealand ‘casualties’ from across Aotearoa and the Pacific. And
many more lives affected.

How can our peacetime honour their sacrifice? We can do so, by making this world a better place, for us all. But lofty language won’t make the change. It’s up to us to do the mahi on our watch, to see lives transformed and lived to the full.

Memorial windows with scaffolding. RNZE window (left) and ‘Well done thou good and faithful servant’ window, making soldiers welcome returning from war. Children play and flowers bloom in the “Peace” window.

KĀHUI ST DAVID'S

The vision for Kāhui St David’s – the centre for music in these historic walls – is to connect and to inspire. It will not be an excluding silo; it will be a sanctuary for us all.

Where there is much that may divide us now – physically, economically, culturally – music made, shared and streamed from within a space built to uplift the human spirit, will serve to connect us and bring us together for good.

Music transcends all barriers. It connects the individual to the universal.

Kauria - a waiata of remembrance

Today we share a waiata of remembrance. Kauria was composed by Piripi Davis and performed by members of the Tamariki whanau in Kāhui St David’s. Big thanks to Talya, Tommy Lee and Storm, and their mum Kowhai for making this possible.

Thank you also to our partners, patrons and friends – none of this would be possible without your awesome generosity.

Also special thanks to the Waitematā Local Board for your generous support of ANZAC Week, which inspired this video.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

IN GRATITUDE

Today we give thanks for the life of Queen Elizabeth II.

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth has inspired so many throughout her 70 year reign.

Born in 1926 not long after the end of World War I, the young Princess was one year old when the foundation stone of St David's was laid. Today, 95 years later, the final coat of deep, Scottish green paint was applied to the great doors of St David's.

When the doors re-open, Kāhui St David's will serve the people of this country, and we will do so inspired by our Queen who existed only to serve and to uplift. A constant light, illuminating the lives of so many.

We will remember a life of absolute dedication, humility, humanity, humour and grace.

AUGUST UPDATE | MILESTONE ANNOUNCEMENT

MILESTONE ANNOUNCEMENT

After eight years of working to save St David’s, on Friday 29 July 2022 the Trust purchased St David’s Memorial Church to secure its future for the community.

This has been made possible thanks to our benefactors, patrons and friends, including the hundreds of New Zealanders who supported the BUY ST DAVID’S campaign nationwide. And the hundreds more who have supported this kaupapa since 2014.

Big thanks to Chapman Tripp for their expert legal advice and work, across a broad spectrum of law, for the past eight years.

Special thanks also to our Founding Patron Ted Manson NZMS who secured the future of this place, and to Max Gimblett ONZM whose gift of art illuminated St David’s worldwide.

GIFTING OF A NAME

The Trust began with a couple of friends who invited a few more friends to join them to save this place. Now, as kaitiaki of St David’s Memorial Church, Friends of St David’s Trust is an entity with responsibility to all Aotearoa New Zealand.

Kāhui Rangi Pūpū now joins Friends of St David’s Trust.

We acknowledge Kaumatua Tautoko Witika for the precious gift of this name.

THE ART OF REMEMBRANCE 2022

ANZAC Week commemorations at St David’s Memorial Church in 2022 were memorable, being the first ANZAC Eve event held within St David’s. We acknowledge the Waitematā Local Board as major sponsors, the musicians, our volunteers and those who attended.

Take a few minutes to remember them.

ANZAC PREPARATIONS

HIVE OF ACTIVITY


The past several weeks have been a hive of activity at St David’s. A big team of electricians installing emergency lighting systems and partial re-wiring of the 1920s setup and another big team of specialists repairing concrete lintels and corbels. Plumbers, carpenters, painters, and volunteers across the spectrum including gardeners for a hugely successful community working bee.

John Morrow, Treasurer with Barbara Baragwanath and Angus Ogilvie, Trustee at the community working bee

Mark Eller of Mark Eller Gardens transplanting the prolific lime tree into the repaired raised bed

Graham Judge, Advisory Board Member, strengthening a raised garden

Volunteers Yvette, Ramon and Leighton

Lintel repairs underway

Yvette Jay polishing the St David’s Roll of Honour

Brick repairs

THIS SUNDAY - ANZAC EVE


Thanks to the new Traffic Light Orange settings, some spaces remain for the Art of Remembrance musical service this Sunday at 5pm.

It will be an inspiring night to remember, the first Art of Remembrance event inside the Soldiers’ Church that inspired thousands across Aotearoa New Zealand and the world!

ANZAC Week

For a preview of the experiences on offer in the grounds of St David’s, check out the “map” of the Art of Remembrance 2022 – ANZAC Week – created by Douglas Hawkins of Hawkins & Co.

6pm – 9.30pm nightly
from ANZAC Day – 1 May

The “map” of the Art of Remembrance 2022, beautifully framed and gifted by Homestead Picture Framers, Auckland. Photo of Richard (Homestead) and Paul (Friends of St David’s).

AWESOME SUPPORT


We are hugely grateful for our generous event partners: Major Funding Partner Waitematā Local Board, together with Angus Muir Design, Jessica Chloe Photography, LUMO, The Opera Factory, Mark Eller Gardening and our incredible volunteers.

This weekend, we could do with some more hands on deck tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday, readying St David’s and the grounds for ANZAC Eve and the week ahead. If you have a spare hour or two, please email contact@SaintDavidsFriends.org.nz or text Paul on 021 521 574.

If you have any unused spare fridge, lawnmower, dishwasher, gardening gear of any type, or kitchen equipment, please bear us in mind! Unwanted antique or old school furniture may also find a home at St David’s.

THANK YOU


Thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing you very soon.

APRIL UPDATE | ANZAC COMMEMORATIONS AT ST DAVID'S

Welcoming you into St David's - Anzac Eve service invitation

On Sunday 24 April at 5pm we will host The Art of Remembrance in St David’s.

It was on ANZAC Day 1927 that the foundation stone was laid. When the doors opened later that year, St David’s was dedicated as the Soldiers’ Memorial Church. It commemorates the RNZE and Sappers, the nurses, World War II 29th and 30th Infantry Battalions, and all who have served Aotearoa New Zealand since World War I.
95 years later, we will welcome you inside this rare, living memorial, for a musical service of remembrance that will include the Scottish bagpipes, big band, taonga puoro, waiata and the 1910 Croft organ.

The Last Post will sound, and we will Remember Them.

Hot drinks and ANZAC biscuits (individually packaged) will be served afterwards.

We thank the Waitematā Local Board for their generous funding support, as Principal Event Partner.

Please note: due to COVID, numbers are strictly limited to 200 for this indoor event. Dress warmly as the windows will be open. The audience capacity of St David's is 420, so there is room for social distancing.

We encourage you to RSVP early.

ANZAC Week St David's - Nightly Outdoor Illuminations

Nightly from Monday 25 April – Sunday 1 May there will be illuminations, projections and sound installations on the grounds of St David’s.

The great leadlight windows will be illuminated, and waiata, taonga puoro, voices and imagery of remembrance will emanate from the Soldiers’ Memorial Church.

We invite New Zealanders to share images of family members who served Aotearoa New Zealand during, and since, World War I, including current members of the New Zealand Defence Force. These images will be projected nightly onto the walls of St David’s Memorial Church for ANZAC week. Please email photographs to contact@RememberThem.nz

Suitable for all ages. Plenty of parking available.

This free, community remembrance event is made possible thanks to the generous funding support of our Principal Event Partner, the Waitematā Local Board.

Lest we forget.

CONGRATULATIONS Simon!

Simon O'Neill ONZM - Image courtesy Jessica Chloe Photography

Simon O’Neill ONZM has won a Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance as part of a rendition of Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 conducted by Gustavo Dudamel. Simon is a Founding Patron for St David’s centre for music and we very much look forward to welcoming him home later in the year.


Click here to read the story: Kiwi opera singer Simon O'Neill lands Grammy award

Progress on the Centre for music

Thanks to the generosity of so many New Zealanders and worldwide friends who supported the nationwide BUY ST DAVID’S campaign, ownership will transfer into Friends of St David’s Charitable Trust in the coming weeks. As you know, the church was purchased by Ted Manson ONZM, Founding Patron, Friends of St David’s Trust, in December 2021 to secure its future. St David’s Memorial Church has been saved – and together, we will see it serve vital roles for the city, the region, and for all Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Friends of St David’s Trust Board has been busy making applications to organisations such as the Lotteries Significant Project Fund in order to complete the remediation required for opening as a centre for music. We look forward to sharing the outcome of this application with you in June.

Gardens working bee for ANZAC

Camelia hearts by Petra Bagust and family

On Saturday 9 April, a working bee was held to prepare the grounds of St David’s for ANZAC week. We intend for the green space around St David’s to serve as a pocket-park for the local community and visitors to Uptown.

Heritage Hero

Hamish Keith CNZM OBE, Barbara Baragwanath, Paul Baragwanath, Audrey van Ryn, Allan Matson

Civic Trust Auckland has made a presentation to Paul Baragwanath, Chair of Friends of St David’s Trust, to recognise his work in saving St David’s Church. President Allan Matson and Patron Hamish Keith CNZM OBE presented Baragwanath with a certificate at St David’s: “Civic Trust Auckland in recognition of his tireless work to save St David’s Church hereby confers the status of Heritage Hero upon Paul Baragwanath.” Friends of St David’s, under Baragwanath’s leadership, has been raising funds since 2014 to save the building and see it recognised as a Category A Historic Heritage place.

“Paul has managed to inspire thousands of people to support the vision of this historic building continuing to serve a range of communities in a new and different way. Civic Trust Auckland thought it was fitting to name him as one of Auckland’s heritage heroes,” says Allan Matson.

Friends of St David’s Trust would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and to thank Civic Trust Auckland for their tireless work in the preservation of the region’s heritage, including for identifying St David’s eligibility for scheduling in its Unitary Plan submission in February 2014, and the many years of support since. You too are heritage heroes!

2021 IN REVIEW

Buying St David’s

Part way through 2021 we were advised that St David's would be put out to commercial tender. We had only a matter of weeks to find the funds to save it. This, after years of work, $1 million raised for the most part in $80 increments, and achieving Category A historic heritage protection. All thanks to the thousands of people who have supported us.


Why did we need to buy St David's?

We needed to buy St David's because though the Auckland Council heritage listing provides the highest level of heritage protection available, an "adaptive re-use" clause - which on the surface of it sounds fair and reasonable - means that even the most highly protected buildings can now be partially demolished. If we failed in our bid to purchase, the Soldiers' Memorial Church - built as a permanent memorial to the lives taken by World War One - would highly likely be desecrated, and forever lost.

The opportunity to serve the New Zealand public

Simon O'Neill ONZM.Image courtesy Jessica Chloe Photography

To save St David's, we needed to share, nationwide, its potential to serve the public good. The inherent qualities of the building would determine its future usage. The acoustics of St David's are superb, and in fact, the main body of the church (the great hall) is effectively a musical instrument.

Our research had revealed the lack of a centre for acoustic music in the Auckland region. 70+ choirs, and a great diversity of acoustic musicians of every flavour, need what St David's has to offer. For rehearsing, teaching and sharing music.

As Trustees, we wanted the New Zealand public to experience St David's unique qualities - including its ambience and acoustics - for themselves. The question was, how?

Horomona Horo - Image courtesy Jessica Chloe Photography


BUY ST DAVID'S and TO THE STARS

The answer of how to share the wonder of St David's widely soon became clear: we needed to create a virtual concert. So, just one week later, 'TO THE STARS' was filmed, in a single 20 hour day. This feat was made possible thanks to the extraordinary support of Simon O'Neill ONZM and Carmel Walsh-O'Neill, Founding Patrons of the Centre, together with each of the incredible artists and creative individuals who gave their all. It is also thanks to all who have supported our fundraising activities over the years.

At the same time as creating the concert-movie, we launched BUY ST DAVID's, a nationwide Give-a-Little campaign. Special thanks to Graham Gibson, Auckland RSAs President for his pivotal role, and also to Aziz Al-Sa'afin and the AM Show for their brilliant coverage of the project. We also acknowledge Radio New Zealand and other news media for their valuable support.

The path to ownership - with thanks

We acknowledge the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa which placed a protective covenant on St David's prior to the close of the tender process. This covenant stipulates that St David's cannot be used for commercial, or residential, purposes.

We acknowledged Ted Manson ONZM, Founding Patron, Friends of St David's Trust, who entered the tender process and purchased the three church properties (St David's, 68 Khyber Pass Road, and Madeira Lane carpark). The Trust did not have the funds to purchase all three properties, and without this intervention we would certainly have lost St David's.

We acknowledge each of you who has given toward the purchase, both through the BUY ST DAVID'S Give-a-Little campaign and directly. Your generosity is enabling Friends of St David's Trust to secure the ownership of St David's. The Trust will purchase St David's Memorial Church (70 Khyber Pass Road) from Ted Manson Foundation St David's Ltd as soon as the boundary adjustment with 68 Khyber Pass Road is complete.

68 Khyber Pass Road and Madeira Lane carpark are to be developed for residential units. Friends of St David's Trust's ownership, and work, are confined purely to St David's (70 Khyber Pass Road).

There are many more entities and individuals to thank. We look forward to doing so in the New Year.


Trustees and Advisory Board - thank you

Special thanks to my fellow Trustees: John Morrow (Trust Secretary), Dawn Judge (Treasurer), Lisa Bates MNZM, Angus Ogilvie and Craig Stevenson; and equally Graham Judge, Advisory Board Member. Hearty thanks to each of you for your selfless and inspiring service.


2022

We are thankful for the gifts of 2021, not the least for the secured future of St David's.

We have many mountains to climb in 2022, including to take ownership and full responsibility for a great, historic, civic-scale church building with decades of maintenance and upgrades to attend to, and to continue our work to see St David's continue as a place of remembrance, and to serve acoustic music.

To honour the lives taken by World War One and subsequent wars, we will work to ensure that peacetime life reaches its fullest potential at St David's. We will re-open the doors for all to experience the wonder of sunlight streaming through the great eastern, and western, leadlight windows - and to experience music-making - in celebration of the wondrous potential of human creativity. The art of remembrance.

We end 2021 with a karakia. Please click on this link http://www.saintdavidsfriends.org.nz/heritage then scroll down to the bottom of the page, to hear An Irish Blessing, composed by David Hamilton while choir master of St David's.