Oromahoe Historical Church

Along the way on my fascination for historical buildings and churches we found this one about 15 minutes out town recently. The Oromahoe Church is owned by a trust and is next door to a Marae. It's about 120 years old and situated on land in a very country-ish area. According to the Papers Past website the church was built around 1880 but there aren't any further details.

Now when we find a Maori church we never immediately enter the gates. We are not of that culture so a huge amount of respect and caution is necessary - it's like barging into someone's home, we would prefer to be welcomed or invited there, we were unable to enter and see the inside.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

Kaikohe Aperahama Church

Kaikohe Aperahama Church and Cemetery - Autumn 2018

This historic church was built by Neilsen brothers and opened in 1885 but is now owned by the Ngati Tautahi hapu. Kaikohe is in the surrounding areas near Kerikeri and I can't wait to explore the far north of NZ. Last week my daughter and I collected empty boxes from our workplaces. I've started filling them up, so far I've packed my collection of favourite books, towels/sheets etc from the linen cupboard, my vintage glassware that belonged to my nana and 3/4 of the drinking glasses.  The rest of this week outside of work I'll be starting on plates, the bathroom and the bedroom - think that'll keep me going for a while.

Colour within the concrete

Recently we visited Waikumete Cemetery in West Auckland. This is somewhere I've been meaning to visit for a number of years simply because it's where some of my ancestors are buried and because I needed to connect something with all the research I've been doing over the years on my family tree (which is extremely extensive so far).

On my dad's side, the Austens we searched for in the Anglican section and couldn't find then later found out the original markers which were very modest wooden crosses had disappeared over the years but I had been very near the spot while walking around.

On my mum's side the de Silva's and Andersons are on the opposite area from here in the Non Comformist section - I did end up finding them as one of my uncles had organized a nice large slate marker with names and dates etc on top which was nice to see. It was a fairly emotional morning really...as it would be but it was lovely to see some pink Valerian flowers creating some colour in amongst the concrete.

Linking up with Our World Tuesday.

Maketu has gone to the dogs...

Like I've mentioned before, Cemeteries interest me...this one we visited in Maketu also has historical part graves to it - these ones are in the newer part. This one caught my eye....judging by the headstone on the grave I'd say this one is affiliated with a local gang, looks like the Mongrel Mob and the dogs on top show that the person must've loved bulldogs.

According to local history many Maori pa were situated in various parts of the area around the early part of European occupation. The history lies in it's numerous burial grounds especially in Wharekaru are graves of some Pakeha and Maori leaders including Philip Tapsell and Anne Chapman who established the first local school in Maketu. The open fields of the Peninsula are considered sacred ground (Tapu).

Linking up with Our World Tuesday :-)

Angel of the morning...

It's been almost constant Spring time rain here and I've been down with the flu, seems to happen in those change of seasons. Today I can see blue skies out the window so here's hoping it lasts for a few days.

Photo: Angel on an old grave at Te Puke Cemetery.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday :-)

Paparoa Historical Methodist Cemetery

Last week on our travels my friend Liz and I stopped in at this very old historical Methodist cemetery in Paparoa. There's alot of old names in this place, descendants of whom are still around in the area today like Wilson and Brooks.

If there's one thing I love photographing its cemeteries, such quiet peaceful places full of history. I found it quite sad though that the place is in disrepair, it's been mowed but the ground is shifting and slipping down the hill. The oldest resident we found there died in 1868 so this would have been when the region was roughly first settled by immigrants.

For more our world Tuesdays click here :-)