Country Churches of NZ 137. St John the Evangelist, Westport, Westland

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I wrote and illustrated Country Churches of New Zealand. It was published in 2002 by New Holland, Publishers and is still on sale in bookshops. The publishers have kindly agreed to me re-publishing some of the book’s images and descriptions in this blog.

ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST, WESTPORT

In drawing St. John the Evangelist the artist's ancient licence to separate subject from background is justifiably employed for it stands among plain houses in suburban streets. But not only is it magnificent, its colour scheme is an inspiration.

It's Westport's second St. John's. The first, dating back to 1867, was too small by 1911 and was to have been replaced by a Frederick de jersey Clere brick church.

But the Great War among other things - stopped work even though the bricks had been bought. They were sold in 1923 to help finance this new church, built in 1924 on the old site.

© DON DONOVAN  

donovan@ihug.co.nz

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