Port Levy Māori church

Port Levy Māori church

Port Levy Maori Church Photograph Photograph Memorial Stone Memorial Plaque

The Port Levy Māori church was the earliest Māori Anglican church established in Canterbury.  

The wooden church was built in the 1840s and was rebuilt in 1865 in more permanent materials near the site of the original whare karakia. The building works were supported by the Provincial Government, the General Government, and the hard work of the local people. The church was principally Anglican although it was also used for Methodist services. In general, local lay Māori read the services, but famous visiting clergy included the Reverend Wiremu Te Kooti te Rato, Reverend James West Stack, the Reverend Teoti Pita Mutu, and the Bishop Harper. 

The church fell into disuse in the 1920s and was later gutted by vandalism and fire in 1948 leading to it eventually being demolished.

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