Happy 50th Saint James Church Hastings

Published in Architecture NZ Sept/ Oct 2012

Photo Courtesy of Saint James Archives

Happy 50^th Saint James church Hastings

1024 Duke Street Hastings

Designed by: L.J.J. Hoogerbrug

Built 1963

NZIA Merit Award 1964

While waiting for my daughter’s dance class to finish one Saturday morning in the hall adjacent to St James church a leotard clad eight year old shoes in hand asks her harried father “ Dad what is that building? Is that a wall or roof? It’s a roof says the Dad “ What’s inside it?” asks the inquisitive young ballerina. “I don’t know what’s inside most roofs?” answers the dad obviously now thinking about the philosophical ramifications of his following answer “ Nothing. ”

It is only on entering this building from the bright afternoon light of an August afternoon in suburban Hastings one soon discovers there is far more than nothing inside this particular roof.

Having just celebrated its 50^th birthday, constructed at a time of optimism and progress buoyed by post war economic and cultural growth the Anglican Church was a patron to a young architect allowing him to explore elements of architecture that are rarely seen in a brief these days. Make a space for our community that allows wonder and reflects greatness.

Space and light tinted via the carefully placed colored lenses in the North East facing glazed façade wash the interior from above creating a place of richness, repose and reflection.

The Building is much loved by the community that has worshipped here for the last 50 years. They clearly believe their church is something special. That the special ness is imbued by the architecture, the clarity of a simple idea rendered in native timbers and light, that remains largely as it was conceived fifty years ago. A few pews rainwater stained from a particularly persistent easterly part of the memory now of place and secondary to the aesthetic experience and grander ideals personified and praised above other more earthly concerns like weather tightness.

Freshly cut flowers are being carefully arranged on the altar and memories shared as our conversation turns to the unconscious movement of eyes upwards. It can’t be helped. 50 years on the architects intention vilified by that unconscious reaction, the eyes move up towards the light just as they did 50 years ago. A very durable idea that we hope will be part of the community for another fifty at least.

Lets hope earthquake prone building hysteria and exorbitant insurance costs don’t put paid to this piece of Hawkes Bay heritage.

Further reference p 127 “Long Live the Modern” ed Julia Gatley

Black and white photo 1963 from St James archives.

Questions to the Parish Priest, Jan Tapper, on the event of the buildings 50th anniversary.

1.           How long have you been working from this building. 

I have worked in the building in the form of leadership since 1985, (27 years)

2. How does the building work from your point of view as the parish priest and conductor of ceremony and ritual ?

Pleasing acoustics, ease of movement, aesthetically lovely. Easier without the two steps at the altar ( Recently removed in a parish working bee )

3. What do you consider the most delightful aspect of the building?

The most beautiful aspect is when the sun reflects through the coloured window across the wooden wall by the cross.

4. How does the maintenance compare to other buildings of worship you have been or are involved with?

Maintenance can be a nightmare. Rough surfaces to paint, very high rafters gather dust, flaking paint off the high windows, cracking putty.

5. If you were to change anything about the building what would it be?

If I was to change anything I would possibly remove the attached toast rack seating to enable changing styles of worship – closer intimacy.

6. A somewhat oblique question......... how would you explain to a six year old why the church building is the shape it is ?

A man had a wonderful dream about how to please God by building a beautiful building reaching up into the sky.

7. How would you persuade or dissuade a group based on your experience with this building the value design might bring to the community ?

We all have dreams to enhance our lives. Many have special skills and talents and use them to realise their dreams

8. Do you think the building will continue to function as a place of worship over the next 50 years ?

The building should last the next 50 years subject to a huge earthquake.

9. What are the biggest challenges to preservation from your point of view ?

The biggest challenge is paying the insurance on the building and the ongoing problem of keeping it presentable and user friendly.