11/03/2021
Future of St Andrew's Church
There will be a meeting to discuss Vestry proposals for the future of St Andrew’s at 2pm Wednesday 17 March 2021.
[Please note that I have used the email address list for the notes of the previous meeting on 17 September 2020 for this email – if you know of anyone else who is interested please let them know.]
At that meeting on 17 September Minister Simon and Vestry members outlined the pressures facing the Parish especially in relation to property maintenance and how dwindling numbers of attendees at St Andrew’s called into question the future of the church. At the same time Manakau and Waikawa Beach locals stressed their commitment to the church and to its continued maintenance.
It was explained that the Diocese would make any final decision on the future of the church but that Vestry would come back to a further meeting of locals before making a recommendation to the Diocese. This is that meeting.
Vestry has been considering how to balance the needs of the Parish with the wishes of the locals and has done so in consultation with active members of the Parish from the area including Hugh Campbell and Frank Averes. Below is the decision of the Vestry in the form of a motion to be put to the Parish AGM to be held on Sunday 21 March 2021. Following the AGM the Vestry will forward recommendations to the Diocese.
Motion for AGM –
A motion that the Anglican Parish of Otaki deconsecrates St Andrew’s Church. Further that we subdivide the land at St Andrew’s into two parcels. The first parcel, known as “the Church”, will contain St Andrew’s, the driveway and garden, with required setbacks to create an acceptable lot. “The Church” will be transferred into a Trust or such like entity for the purposes of the Manakau Community to continue to be used as a community church whilst its heritage and character are preserved for generations to come.
The second parcel, known as “the paddock”, will continue to be held by the Board of Trustees with the Parish entering discussions with the Board to consider resale or development options. If the land is unable to be subdivided, then the entire block will be considered for resale or development purposes.
Tim Horner (Vestry member, Parish of Otaki)
