July 1942 Parish magazine: the earthquake hits

The Vicar, Archdeacon Eric Rich, describes the effect of the June 1942 earthquake, the damage and aftermath for St Matthew's Church in the July 1942 issue of the parish magazine.

THE EARTHQUAKE

At 11.18 p.m. on Wednesday, 24th June, the Wairarapa experienced one of its worst earthquakes in its history. The main shake lasted for 30 seconds and did much damage throughout the area. We all realise now how tremendous would have been the damage had the shake been prolonged. As it is, the damage is very great.

St. Matthew’s Church was so badly damaged that in the interests of public safety it had to be destroyed. The Chapel and the south-east wall collapsed, one of the two main pillars supporting the chancel fell and the chancel and nave were wrenched apart. The bricks in all the gables came away and the east and west walls were cracked and leaned outwards. The Church was indeed a pitiable sight. 

THE DECISION

At every stage we had the advantage of the best expert advice. Mr Harris, Public Works Department engineer, Mr C. R. Mabson, Borough Engineer, and Major Toy, N.Z.F., who in civil life is a building construction engineer and a leading member of the staff of the School of Architecture at Auckland University College, were unanimous in their decisions. Actually there was no doubt about the position--the Church was damaged beyond all hope of repair.

THE DEMOLITION

This was carried out by a company of sappers of the N.Z. Engineers. They carried out their hard and dangerous task in a splendid manner. They knew the danger but they did everything that was asked of them. The explosions were loud and several charges were required before the whole of the dangerous portions had collapsed. Between two blasts a heavy quake came, a grim reminder of the peril under which the men were working. They knew that the cracked pillar, which was all that held a large portion of the roof, had shifted some 6 inches in a heavy quake the night before. As soon as the tremors ceased, the sappers were back on the job.

SALVAGE WORK

The engineers volunteered to save all they could before the demolition work began. They did great work. Two principles guided us in the decision about salvage. First, no salvage, however valuable, was worth a human life, therefore no salvage that was too dangerous was to be attempted. For example the stained glass windows on the south side of the sanctuary, though damaged, were not destroyed, but they could not be saved for the position was too dangerous. The second principle was that nothing should be destroyed which could be saved.

FURNISHINGS SAVED

A large part of the furniture was saved. Most of the pews, the altar, the pulpit, the east window, the doors and stained-glass windows, the doors and cupboards were salvaged. Most of the chancel furniture was destroyed. It is hoped that some of the furnishings of the chapel may be intact under the wreckage. Some damage was done to the organ but this is repairable. Altogether, the wonder is that so much was saved from the Church.  The font was badly broken but the top portion is intact.

WILLING WORKERS

There was much to be done in preparing the Parish Hall for the services and in clearing away and storing valuable salvage. Workers were forthcoming for this. Tea was required for the soldiers morning and afternoon. A willing band of ladies saw to this. The Church Wardens, with urgent affairs of their own to see to, yet spent many hours day after day in the service of the Church.  Members of the Vestry met as soon as possible and placed on record the determination of parishioners to carry on, maintain the activities of the parish, and work for a future that will be, please God, greater than the past. All the way through, Mr C. R. Mabson has been a tower of strength. His position as Borough Engineer made him probably the busiest man in Masterton, but he found time to help us at every stage. The parish is grateful to all who helped us in our ordeal, and to all who will go on helping us until everything is in order once more.

THE SOLDIERS

The work of the men at the Church is beyond praise. Their spirit was admirable. They knew the danger, they hated to see the destruction of a Church, they just wanted to serve. We shall always remember, with gratitude, all their help. Again, how splendid was the work of the soldiers in the community as they went about helping with chimneys all over the town and district.

THE PEOPLE

The spirit of the people was splendid. There was no panic--just a fine spirit of helpfulness. The whole community was distressed at the destruction of the Church which was the pride of the whole district, and which was rich in sacred associations and had been so closely identified with the life of the community. Many spoke of their determination to see that what earlier generations had done we should do, that once more there may be in Masterton a St Matthew’s Church, worthy of God, worthy of this great district.

PRESENT SERVICES

These are being held in the Parish Hall. The services on the Sunday after the earthquake will be a precious memory to all who joined in them. The furnishings remind us of the Church we love and we are determined to make the services the centre of our lives. A big job has to be done, but the services will be a source of strength and hope week by week. Now is the time for all to rally to the support of their Church. We ought, and surely we will, pack the temporary Church every Sunday. We must stick together and let nothing keep us from public worship.

SYMPATHY

Letters of sympathy have poured in from all over New Zealand. The Bishop’s message, read on the Sunday, was one of the first. He was ready to come at once but it seemed better to wait a week or two. The Bishop is now coming on Sunday, 19th July, when he will preach at Evensong, 4 p.m. Archdeacon Bullock and Canon Watson, former Vicars, and the Revs. W. Raine, R. Godfrey, T. V. Pearson and V. W. Joblin, former Curates, sent kindly messages. The Presbyterian and Methodist Churches were most sympathetic and a cheery message came from the Dean on behalf of the clergy of Christchurch. There were many other messages from clergy and laymen. They were a real help.

OTHER BUILDINGS

The Vicarage suffered. All the chimneys came down, doing considerable damage to the double porches and roof. Then nearly all the windows were destroyed during the demolition work. The Vicarage had to be vacated and the family are very grateful to the many whose kindness lightened their burden. A home was provided, the Vicarage was cleaned before they were allowed to return. The Church of the Epiphany had its font broken and the chimney in the Epiphany Hall broken.  St. Alban’s Church, Taueru, stood up to the quake well. One wall was wrenched badly but can be put right and the font was broken. St Matthew’s Parish Hall stood firm, suffering no damage except the loss of some glass during the demolition work. The Scout Den lost its chimneys.

THE FUTURE

The Vestry has met and has realised the spirit and determination of parishioners to convert this tragedy into triumph. Early in August a special meeting of parishioners will be held to launch a campaign which will have as its goal the erection of a new St Matthew’s. We have a big task ahead of us, but with the help of all, we shall win through to triumph.

A SERMON

On the Sunday after the earthquake the Archdeacon spoke of the spirit of the Empire during the present war and said that no less a spirit animated the people of St Matthew’s at this hour. It was natural that we should be sad at heart for the Church in which we worshipped last Sunday was very dear to us. Parishioners had worked magnificently for it. They had overcome obstacles which might well have daunted the stoutest hearts, but thanks to the good hand of our God upon us, they had made their Church renowned as a place beautiful beyond compare, worthy of the God we love, the whole parish absolutely free of debt, with a splendid large band of Communicants, and withal a large congregation which had learned through splendid service the joy of being partners with God, knit together in real fellowship. The Church was the centre of it all. There we got comfort, strength and inspiration--there, in these days of war, many had found God near. The spirit of St Matthew’s had shone forth as a bright and guiding light. We had not failed in the work we had to do.

The spirit is in no way dimmed by the destruction of our Church. The sacrifice and service symbolised and enshrined in the building we loved had not been and never could be lost. Rather had they been woven into the very fibre of the human beings who live in this community and today our Church shares the suffering of the whole community, entering still into all the experiences of its people. The same splendid spirit of old St Matthew’s will be carried forward into the future, and some day there will rise again a building which will enshrine the old traditions our forefathers and we have forged--a Church which will once again be a joy to worship in, worthy of this great district.

For this is a great district. I confess this morning that the twelve years I have lived in Masterton, if strenuous, have yet been some of the happiest of my life. I have known here people who seemed to me to express the spirit of real religion and I have been cheered and encouraged during the last few days by the way in which men and women have faced this tragedy in the life of our parish. There has been grief--deep and sincere. Strong men could not restrain the tears as they looked upon the havoc and ruin of the Church which, somehow symbolised their truest ideals, and seemed to set the standard and epitomise the spirit of Masterton.

But one and all, as they saw the destruction and ruin of our beloved Church spoke of their determination that what the pioneers had done we could and would, do. That, in spite of the appalling difficulties of the times, we should begin again and work and sacrifice that there may be in Masterton a new St Matthew’s which will be all the old one had been in the life of the community. Nay, I believe it lies within our power to make the new St Matthew’s even greater and more glorious than the old. For it will have had its origin amid the ruins of a passing age, when, not building alone, but human civilisation itself, was being shaken to its roots, and by our sacrifice and service it will rise--a triumphant witness to the eternal verities which can never pass away, verities which nothing can shake but which will remain and stand when time with us shall be no more.

So may we resolve today as we mourn the passing of a Church we loved, that we shall not be overwhelmed by this disaster, but with courage undaunted and spirits high take up the task, carry on strong in faith and love and prepare to build a Temple which shall be a living symbol of that new and better world for which free men and women work and fight and sacrifice today.

MAGAZINE DONATIONS

Misses Morrison, 7/6, Mrs McWhinnie, 4/-; Mrs Wyber, Mrs Clarke, 3/- each; Miss Cresswell, 2/6

“Church and People,” 1942; Messrs Hyde, Ramsay, Nepia, Miss Edge, Miss Hale.

IN MEMORIAM

The passing of Mr H. P. Harrison marked the end of the earthly life of a gallant, great-hearted Christian gentleman. It is given to few men to win the esteem and affection of the community as he did. It was a tribute to the uprightness of his character. Quiet and unassuming, he served his God and his neighbour and during years of ill-health he was patient and brave and still found good that he could do.

Mrs E. Eton was a noble character and a fine worker for our parish and every good cause. Her Church and her home were the centres of her life and she leaves behind her the memory of a gracious personality.

To the relatives the sincerest sympathy of all parishioners goes out.

Further resources

1942 Earthquake (Wairarapa Archive)

Jan McLaren, A night of terror, Wairarapa's 1942 earthquake, 2002  Copies are also available from Wairarapa Archive.

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