coastal church steeped in history
Final Push to Reopen Saint Oswald’s Church
WHARANUI, Marlborough, South Island, Aotearoa New Zealand – 10 March 2025
If you've driven past Saint Oswald’s Church on State Highway 1, just north of Kekerengu, you’ll have noticed significant progress over the past six months. Thanks to major restoration efforts, the church is now looking better than it has in decades.
Restoration Progress
The earthquake repair work is complete, including realignment of the south wall, structural strengthening with steel rods to meet public safety standards, a new polymeric slate tile roof, and meticulous masonry repairs with restoration of the church stonework. Two badly damaged stained-glass windows have also been fully restored and reinstalled by Graham Stewart Stained Glass, Rangiora.
One of the most special moments of this restoration has been the return of the church bell, repaired by Bruce Murray and Johnny Malthus. Bruce shared, “It’s fantastic to hear it ring again after so many years.”
Next Step: Landscaping and Accessibility Enhancements
A new landscaping plan designed by Leicester Murray will get underway next month, honoring those buried in the church grounds while creating a tranquil space for visitors to enjoy the stunning coastal views. Key improvements include:
· A new stone-walled entrance with parking on the north side, providing a safer way for visitors to access the church, away from SH1.
· Fencing and drainage upgrades to protect the site.
· Selective tree removal and native planting to enhance the landscape.
Final Step: Interior Restoration
With the exterior repairs complete, the focus now shifts to drying out the interior before beginning plasterwork, painting, electrical upgrades, and floor restoration. The balcony will also be made more accessible.
Looking ahead, the trustees envision incorporating historic displays at the entrance to share the rich history of Saint Oswald’s.
Help Us Open the Church
The goal is to fully reopen the church by Christmas, but funding remains crucial to completing the final stage.
🔹 Sponsor-a-Tile Campaign – Donations of $500 per tile help fund the restoration, with all contributions eligible for a charitable donation receipt.
🔹 General Donations – Any amount is greatly appreciated via givealittle.co.nz/org/stoswalds.
HISTORIC INFORMATION
From 1927 to 2016 Saint Oswald’s Memorial Church offered an unconditional haven for locals and travellers to come together for worship, rest, and reflection. Tragically, the Kaikoura earthquake of 2016 damaged the church substantially leaving it inaccessible.
The Saint Oswald's Memorial Trust is busy raising funds to complete repairs to this important historic building on the East Coast of South Island, New Zealand. Work will commence in July 2024.
Built 86 years ago first and foremost to honour a beloved son, St Oswald’s has provided a place of remembrance for Anglican worship. During its lifetime, the building was also a well-used community facility for rural families and locals to unite and celebrate special occasions.
This little stone church sits as a landmark on State Highway 1, near Wharanui in the Marlborough District. Located centrally 60 kilometres to the south of Blenheim and 70 kilometers to the north of Kaikoura, it’s a natural stopping point for travellers.
In 1927 Charles and Jessie Murray built the stone church in memory of their son, Charles Hector Heaton Murray (known as Hector) who tragically died three years earlier aged 19. The name ‘Oswald’ was chosen after the King of Northumbria, considered a saintly king, was killed as a young man in the Battle of Maserfield in the mid-600s AD. Here lies the connection to Hector who also died young.
Nearly 100 years on, heartbreak has returned to the Murray family. In 2022 Leicester and Laura Murray, descendants of the church’s benefactor, tragically lost their much-adored son, Wilson aged 21. Once repaired and restored to its former glory, Saint Oswald Memorial Church will honour Charles and Wilson, by providing a final resting place for two adored sons aged 19 and 21 respectfully.
The Saint Oswald's Memorial Trust was formed in 2017 by Leicester Murray, Bruce Murray and Marty Westenra as the great grandchildren of Charles and Jessie Murray. Late in 2023, the Anglican Diocese of Nelson passed ownership of the building and grounds to the trust, allowing the trustees to fundraise to complete extensive building strengthening and repair works and to enhance grounds and facilities for future generations and travellers to the Marlborough District to enjoy.
WHARANUI, Marlborough, South Island, Aotearoa New Zealand – 10 March 2025
If you've driven past Saint Oswald’s Church on State Highway 1, just north of Kekerengu, you’ll have noticed significant progress over the past six months. Thanks to major restoration efforts, the church is now looking better than it has in decades.
Restoration Progress
The earthquake repair work is complete, including realignment of the south wall, structural strengthening with steel rods to meet public safety standards, a new polymeric slate tile roof, and meticulous masonry repairs with restoration of the church stonework. Two badly damaged stained-glass windows have also been fully restored and reinstalled by Graham Stewart Stained Glass, Rangiora.
One of the most special moments of this restoration has been the return of the church bell, repaired by Bruce Murray and Johnny Malthus. Bruce shared, “It’s fantastic to hear it ring again after so many years.”
Next Step: Landscaping and Accessibility Enhancements
A new landscaping plan designed by Leicester Murray will get underway next month, honoring those buried in the church grounds while creating a tranquil space for visitors to enjoy the stunning coastal views. Key improvements include:
· A new stone-walled entrance with parking on the north side, providing a safer way for visitors to access the church, away from SH1.
· Fencing and drainage upgrades to protect the site.
· Selective tree removal and native planting to enhance the landscape.
Final Step: Interior Restoration
With the exterior repairs complete, the focus now shifts to drying out the interior before beginning plasterwork, painting, electrical upgrades, and floor restoration. The balcony will also be made more accessible.
Looking ahead, the trustees envision incorporating historic displays at the entrance to share the rich history of Saint Oswald’s.
Help Us Open the Church
The goal is to fully reopen the church by Christmas, but funding remains crucial to completing the final stage.
🔹 Sponsor-a-Tile Campaign – Donations of $500 per tile help fund the restoration, with all contributions eligible for a charitable donation receipt.
🔹 General Donations – Any amount is greatly appreciated via givealittle.co.nz/org/stoswalds.
HISTORIC INFORMATION
From 1927 to 2016 Saint Oswald’s Memorial Church offered an unconditional haven for locals and travellers to come together for worship, rest, and reflection. Tragically, the Kaikoura earthquake of 2016 damaged the church substantially leaving it inaccessible.
The Saint Oswald's Memorial Trust is busy raising funds to complete repairs to this important historic building on the East Coast of South Island, New Zealand. Work will commence in July 2024.
Built 86 years ago first and foremost to honour a beloved son, St Oswald’s has provided a place of remembrance for Anglican worship. During its lifetime, the building was also a well-used community facility for rural families and locals to unite and celebrate special occasions.
This little stone church sits as a landmark on State Highway 1, near Wharanui in the Marlborough District. Located centrally 60 kilometres to the south of Blenheim and 70 kilometers to the north of Kaikoura, it’s a natural stopping point for travellers.
In 1927 Charles and Jessie Murray built the stone church in memory of their son, Charles Hector Heaton Murray (known as Hector) who tragically died three years earlier aged 19. The name ‘Oswald’ was chosen after the King of Northumbria, considered a saintly king, was killed as a young man in the Battle of Maserfield in the mid-600s AD. Here lies the connection to Hector who also died young.
Nearly 100 years on, heartbreak has returned to the Murray family. In 2022 Leicester and Laura Murray, descendants of the church’s benefactor, tragically lost their much-adored son, Wilson aged 21. Once repaired and restored to its former glory, Saint Oswald Memorial Church will honour Charles and Wilson, by providing a final resting place for two adored sons aged 19 and 21 respectfully.
The Saint Oswald's Memorial Trust was formed in 2017 by Leicester Murray, Bruce Murray and Marty Westenra as the great grandchildren of Charles and Jessie Murray. Late in 2023, the Anglican Diocese of Nelson passed ownership of the building and grounds to the trust, allowing the trustees to fundraise to complete extensive building strengthening and repair works and to enhance grounds and facilities for future generations and travellers to the Marlborough District to enjoy.
we need your help TO RAISE further FUNDS
Artist impression
All funds raised will be used to repair the church to its former glory. Registered charity number CC62226
