Anglican Parish of Gate Pa

About

Anglican Parish, Diocese of Waiapu, Tauranga

Story

Sunday worship services
• 8am quiet Eucharist (no hymns)
• 9.30am Family Communion service,
(All 9.30am services are followed by morning tea and fellowship)
• Tuesday 9.30am Midweek Eucharist

We are on the historic battle site of Pukehinahina/Gate Pā, which was fought on 29 April 1864. This part of our story calls us to a mission of reconciliation.
We are welcoming of everyone who walks through our door – above our door the words are written “All who enter here be reconciled”. We believe in the principles of justice, social equality and human rights, and we seek to be present to and with our community.
Our church is a space for people to explore and express their faith, and within our sanctuary is a deep sense of the sacred and peaceful presence.
Our services are based on the Anglican liturgy in the New Zealand Prayer Book, with a mixture of traditional and contemporary hymns. We welcome people of all ages and offer children's activities.
We celebrate the major festivals of the Christian year. We offer this space and our liturgical worship to provide different ways people can connect with God in and celebrate the mystery of God



Our story:
The first Anglican Church in Gate Pā was built in 1900, and was a daughter church of Holy Trinity Tauranga for many years. We became an independent parish when our first vicar, Reverend C.D.R. Stevens, was inducted in 1962.
In 1992 the church experienced a significant fire, which resulted in our current building being erected in 1993.
Today we are a parish made up of mainly Pākehā New Zealanders with some Māori whānau and other ethnicities. We are journeying together to explore what it means to be a Tikanga Pākehā parish on a sacred Māori site.
We are seeking to use more te reo Māori in our services and to have more connection with our Tikanga Māori partners.
More information can be found in the History of St. Georges booklet
Our vision:
Being present on the site of the Gate Pā battle, we have a sense of responsibility for holding the story with integrity. The story lives on into the present and the church and the battle-site are a venue for ceremonies and commemorations, public lectures and educational trips. The place is visited by tourists and members of the public who wish to learn more about New Zealand’s history. We continue to care for this site and keep the story alive through various public events and hosting groups, including school groups.
What We Offer
Sunday worship services
• 8am quiet Eucharist (no hymns)
• 9.30am Family Communion service,
(All 9.30am services are followed by morning tea and fellowship)
• Tuesday 9.30am Midweek Eucharist

Social events
• Regular Sunday lunches,
• Association of Anglican Women events and meetings,
• Men's afternoon teas,
• Evening dinners to mark special events (e.g. Shrove Tuesday, Mid-Winter, Maundy Thursday), Special Childrens events

Community support
• Centrepoint Opportunity Shop and drop-in-centre in neighbouring Greerton.
• Pre-school music and movement group. Fridays during school term at 9.30 am.
• Support of Merivale Whānau Aroha Early Childhood Education Centre.
• Support of Foodbank
• Annual SPCA Pet Service.
• Support of Homes of Hope.
• Hosting of school and other groups interested in the story of the battle


Our hall and lounge are used by many community organisations for their meetings and activities.