27/08/2018
Some follower's ask why and, prompt us to post this insight.
After nearly 150 years, Arrowtown’s St. Patrick’s Church, plans to build a parish hall! In the rugged gold rush days of 1870 such refinement was not considered. It’s time we rectified that.
Now, St. Patrick’s is a much loved heritage building and our new hall is designed to complement this landmark building, while providing a 150 year overdue, public amenity.
In Arrowtown, a satellite town of Queenstown, another gold
rush is in progress, young immigrants from across the Americas, the Philippines and beyond, arrive with hope for their future.
They bring diversity and vigour and a culture of celebration.
They and we, deserve a place to congregate and celebrate, adding a further dimension to our future heritage.
Our sincere wish is to provide a purpose built amenity for all; to encourage, inspire and promote a culture of friendly participation among residents and visitors alike.
St. Patrick’s proposed new hall has become known as The Olive Leaf, in reference to the building’s unique shape and welcoming intent, “To extend an olive branch”.
True to the mission of the church to be involved in and part of the real world, the hall will be of practical use; to attract, energize and welcome a diversity of residents and visitors.
Clearly St. Patrick’s church deserves its heritage status but, it simply cannot remain a static edifice with an aging and dwindling congregation. It must remain alive.
Our group of parishioners recognize this and are inspired by the design concepts of architect Fred Van Brandenburg, a fellow parishioner and tireless worker for our project.
Fred, a student of celebrated architect Gaudi, explains his philosophy as, “All architectural forms are to be derived from nature” - therefore we believe, perfectly suited to our site.
In tune with this philosophy, the Olive Leaf building will be dug into the ground reducing its bulk and scale and maintaining, but in practice, accentuating the primacy of the historic church.
Fred’s family business, Architecture Van Brandenburg is known internationally and recently in New Zealand, recognized for their inspired conceptual design for the Dunedin Waterfront.
The Olive Leaf enjoys the blessing of the Bishop of Dunedin and the good will of many. We are determined to deliver to the community, a building of outstanding beauty and purpose
Design features will pay homage to the rich cultural heritage of the region, from Maori, through to gold mining days and the work of Sister Mary Mackillop who established a school here.
Canonised, Saint Mary of the Cross in 2010, Mary and her Sisters brought education to the needy children of Arrowtown as they did, to many remote locations of the day.
Alongside St. Patricks today lie the lovingly restored remnants of the miner’s cottage this pioneering Saint converted to a school and convent. Features of the Olive Leaf will further honour her.
Now registered as “The Olive Leaf Centre Trust” we have enshrined in the “Objects” of the Trust, responsibility for maintaining the structural integrity of this iconic old church.
