St Andrew's in the paddock History

Early history

Details of Anglican services in the Upper Plain and Fernridge areas prior to the building of St Andrew's are sketchy. A Sunday School (used by several denominations) had been built at some time prior to 1900. This is likely to have been on a quarter-acre triangle of land set aside opposite Fernridge School by donated Mr William Anketell for use by the Church of England, Wesleyan Church, Presbyterian Church, and Methodist Church, for divine worship, religious purposes and entertainments1. 

On 28 November, 1901, the Manawatu Times reported that a spark from a passing traction engine set fire to the Sunday School.

The Upper Plain Sunday school was yesterday totally destroyed by fire, a spark having alighted on it from a passing engine. The harmonium and books were saved. The building, which was an old one, was not insured.

The site donated by Mr Anketell was unsatisfactory for church building purposes, being triangle-shaped, with a wide frontage at the roadside, tapering rapidly, which would have made building a church of the gothic style favoured at the time a difficult exercise. Church records suggest that Anglican services - probably held in Fernridge School - came and went, their success being dependent on a local "enthusiast" to encourage residents to come to church. 

The 1903 Masterton Parish annual general meeting noted with satisfaction that the Upper Plain Sunday School has done very good work during the year under Mr and Miss Brown's supervision for a time, and then almost solely for a long time it has been 

carried on by Miss Fuller, who has, as her assistants, the Misses Gawith and Iggulden and Sunday School teachers proudly reported that satisfactory work has been accomplished. Thirty-eight scholars are on the roll, the average attendance totals twenty-one, and there are four teachers.

There was no mention of any activity at Upper Plain - either services or Sunday School - at the 1906 annual general meeting, but things had improved by 1907. as the Vicar reported

At this meeting last year I expressed regret that the Sunday School at the Upper Plain was in abeyance. Thanks to Miss Iggulden, Miss Gawith, and Miss Arlidge, it was resuscitated soon afterwards and is now a strong outpost of the Church's work. The interest that the children show and their behaviour must be a great encouragement to their teachers.

We held a pleasant picnic for this Sunday School last March, and prizes were distributed. This little school is, I am glad to say, self-supporting.

Worship starts at Fernridge School

In July 1922 St Matthew's Vestry identified a need for services at Fernridge and they sought permission from the Fernridge School Committee to hold the services in the schoolroom. The first service was held in August 1922, despite 'rain and general atmospheric unpleasantness,' and was 'nearly full of young and old.'

Some of the adults found the small school desks a little uncomfortable, but with an air of stoicism, 'we settled down somehow, and looked quite as dignified as a Scotchman on a bannock.'

Services got off to a fine start at Fernridge School with two services a month - interestingly on the second and fourth Sundays - alternating with Sunday School on the other Sundays. In line with other country churches, and to fit round the exhausting schedule of St Matthew's clergy, services started at 2.30 pm in the afternoon. The Parish Magazine reported that

The following have given their names as helpers in the Sunday School: Mrs Trimble, Miss Hubbard, Mrs A H Graham and Miss Graham. Mrs Andrew has consented to act as Organist for the services.

At the time of opening the new church room, there were 23 children in the Sunday School.

Speedy gestation

Progress towards a new church building proceeded at lightning speed. A month after services started at Fernridge, Mr William Andrew donated the land (part of their property Wharemouku) for a church building and 'an anonymous parishioner' gave £125 towards the building. By September, with no Resource Management Act or Diocesan property managers to worry about (the land and building was at that stage owned by a trust) building was under way. A fundraising garden party was held in Mrs Gawith's garden on 21 October.

We trust that friends will arrive in good numbers and thereby encourage those who are preparing the effort and arranging stalls. The little Church Room to be erected will simply repay the effort.

The Penistone family

The church was built by the prominent Masterton building firm, Hulme and Penistone. Mr William Penistone, who came from Sheffield, England, was also a member of the St Matthew's Vestry. They lived in Edith Street, and their daughter, Margaret, was involved at all levels of Upper Plain church life, until her death in 1988. With Pat Chapman, Margaret looked after the church - including cleaning and washing and maintaining the altar linen. 

On 3 November 1922, Bishop Sprott opened the Church Hall at Upper Plain. Because the building was not owned by the Diocese it was not dedicated at this time, although there is some anecdotal evidence to suggest the sanctuary was dedicated at some point. The building cost approximately £500. In his address to the 150 gathered for the opening, Bishop Sprott outlined the purposes to which the "hall" was to be put, namely 'Religious Services, Sunday School and Social Meetings.' The December 1922 Parish News reported -

The new Church Hall is much appreciated. Seating accommodation is not yet finished, but we have secured a piano to lead the singing. The money for the latter has been advanced by a good friend until such time as we can repay it. We hope to have chairs of a comfortable pattern for the Hall as soon as they can be secured.

Then, as now, children were an important focus for the new church building -

What about the children at Christmas? Can we give them a bit of a treat somewhere on the Upper Plain? They were patient and good at the opening of the Hall and the thought then struck us - why not have a children's party at Christmas?

By the time of the 1923 Parish Annual General Meeting the church had its own prayer desk, altar and lectern and Miss Andrew was commended for her services as organist.

Driveway formed

The August 1923 Parish News reports that a metalled driveway was now in place from the main road to the church door. 'In this slushy weather we cannot forget such "good works." Parallels with the present continued.

'The congregation retains their strength and much quiet work is going on.'

By October 1923 the Parish Magazine noted that "the Sale in aid of the Building Fund and necessary furniture for the Hall was successful and the band of helpers of the Upper Plain, under Mrs Andrews and Mrs Tylee, worked very hard and very successfully. A sum of £36 10s 7d was raised - a result which is most satisfactory."

No doubt led by Margaret Penistone, a music teacher, the Parish News noted

We hear rumours of a Children's Cantata in preparation, and we are looking forward to hearing how the Upper Plain can acquit itself.

In October 1924 the Sunday School organised their own bazaar:

Instead of practising for a play as they did last year, they have all been working hard for a bazaar, which they intend holding on the above date AT THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.

The children will be in charge of the stalls - the Sweets and Cakes, Dolls' Stall, Novelty Stall, Fairy Well and Cocoanut shies - and hope you will all come along and buy some sweet and useful things to help along the Sunday School Funds.

The time of the Fernridge Christmas service would have suited parents of young children - it was held at 6 a.m., as clergy had to race around the parish to ensure all the town and country churches had a Christmas communion.

Handed over to Diocese

The Annual Report to the Parish Annual General Meeting, in May 1925, reports

We are glad to note that owing to the generosity of an anonymous giver, the whole of the debentures on the building fund has been cleared off. The Building is now being handed over to the Diocesan Trustees, and the Vestry becomes responsible for its upkeep and maintenance. Our thanks are due to the generous donor, and to all others who have helped to achieve the result.

At this point the St Matthew's Vestry became responsible for the upkeep and management of the church. In 1928 the endlessly generous Mr and Mrs William Andrew paid to have the church roof repainted, and in 1929 donated a crystal jug for use at communion services. 

At some point the Sunday School went into recess as in 1933, the Rev. Eric Rich (Vicar - 1930-1945) noted that the Sunday School was starting at Fernridge and, with 25 enrolments, would be meeting on the 2nd and fourth Sundays of each month. In 1934 the Parish Magazine reported that in Palm Sunday there would be Sunday School at 2 p.m., followed by Evensong and a sermon preached by the vicar, with the intriguing subject: "Where are we going?" 

1939 saw a kind parishioner donate matting for the church room and the Sunday School proceeding well under the leadership of Miss Percy. For those aged 14 or older, Upper Plain even had its own confirmation class at 4 p.m. on a Sunday. 

The Second World War was starting to have an impact, with Evensong at Upper Plain having to be reduced to one Sunday a month as the assistant curates had been called up to Military Chaplaincy. 

 On 7 September 1941, with the situation in Europe looking very grave, the King called for a National Day of Prayer and there was a special service at Upper Plain at 7 p.m. 1 Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7853, 20 September 1904, Page 5​ 

The Sunday School at Upper Plain continues to flourish under the leadership of Mr. and Mrs. R. Garrity, and the attendance at Holy Communion is fairly consistent. The new kneelers made and donated by local residents of this district are a big improvement. 
St Matthew's Herald, July 1967