Feilding Baptist Church

Te Haahi Iriiri o Aorangi

Our People

Our Minister

The Baldwinz arrived in Feilding in June 2016. They’ve walked the Milford Track, run several marathons and have completed Spain’s 800km Camino pilgrimage. 

Martin has a background in horticulture and primary school teaching and is happy to support the Hurricanes when they’re not playing the Highlanders!

When it's time to relax, the search for fine date scones (and excellent coffee) has revealed that Cafe Verde in Geraldine, The Batch Cafe in Invercargill, and Sweet Vanilla Kitchen in Lower Hutt, are the places to be.

You can contact Martin on 027 227 3223

Our Elders

Ruth

Geoffrey

Matt

Our History

1904
On Monday afternoon, February 1st, 1904, the Rev E. Richards, of Palmerston North, paid a visit to Feilding to ascertain the desirability or otherwise of forming a Baptist Church here.  Several Baptists were visited who expressed their interest in the matter and their willingness to join the Church if formed.  The result of this was that a meeting was arranged and held about a week later followed by several more meetings.  It was finally decided to send a deputation to the Central Auxiliary meeting of the NZ Baptist Union in New Plymouth in May to find out whether they would be willing to assist the movement.

The matter was taken up very heartily by the Auxiliary and on a promise of help being given it was decided to start services immediately.

The several Churches belonging to the Central Auxiliary guaranteed to finance the cause until it should be taken over by the Union.

The first meeting was held at Mrs Shearer's home on June 5th, 1904.  The opening service was held on the following Sunday, June 12th, conducted by the Rev. E. Richards in the Assembly Rooms which had been engaged for a period of 12 months at a rental of 10/- per Sunday.

There were 17 people present in the morning, and 23 in the evening.

On October 22nd, 1904, a Sunday School was started with eight scholars and that number was doubled the following Sunday.  Mr Alfred Eade was appointed Superintendent.
At the Baptist Union meetings held in Dunedin in November two men were appointed to visit Feilding and report.  Their report not only secured financial support from the Union, but also the Unions endorsement and sanction.


1905

The Rev A. Dewdney was asked to conduct the Anniversary Services on June 11th, 1905.  At a Communion Service on that date the Rev J. J. North, as President of the Baptist Union, gave the right hand of fellowship to the 20 people who were forming the Church.

The first Church members' meeting was held on July 3rd, 1905, at Mrs Shearer's home, with 12 members present.

In July, 1905, a fire occurred at the Assembly Hall, and services were transferred to the Drill Hall.  This building proved unsuitable, so efforts were put forth to obtain a Church building.

At first, Svendsen's rooms, above their shop, were used - a nominal charge only being made for the gas used.  The Baptist Union stipulated that the sum of £231 be raised locally before they could sanction any Church building being erected.


1906
The levelling of the present site was undertaken in 1906, and the records speak of 100 dray loads of filling being carted in at 2/- a load.


1911
By 1911 the membership was 35, with an additional seven country members.


1934
In 1934 Mr Page became the Minister, and during his ministry the Church decided to purchase a manse in Denbigh Street.  Due to Mr Page's foresight and "drive", the Sunday School Hall, (formerly the old Stanway Public School) was also purchased and this did service until the new Sunday School Hall was built in 1950.


1941
In 1941 the Girls' Life Brigade was established, with Mrs Carlisle as the first Captain.  This was the war period when the work was considerably affected by the presence in Feilding of several hundred soldiers occupying the schools and in camps.  Our Church took its fair share in providing for the spiritual needs of the visiting servicemen.  After-Church suppers saw some happy hours spent, with sing-songs and helpful fellowship.


1949
In 1949 we secured a Jubilee Loan for £300 to help with the erection of the new Sunday School hall, which cost approximately £1450.  The conversion of the old Sunday School building into four classrooms was undertaken in 1951 and this cost over £200.


1991
In May 1991 the old church building was advertised for sale and was sold, and removed to a new country residence.

Early the previous year a working committee was set up to research church building options for the future, bring a considered recommendation and then see the project through to conclusion.  Various options were considered including re-modelling of the existing buildings, removing the existing building and rebuilding on site or selling the site and either building or buying an existing building elsewhere.

The congregation had committed to rebuild on the existing site.  As the new auditorium was built onto the front of the existing Hall structure, the revamped interface of the two would also result in a new kitchen, hall access and toilet block.


1992
A new Worship and Ministry Centre. On Queen's Birthday weekend 1992 (30th May-1st June), the key was turned in the front door as we celebrated the official opening of a fine new facility.


2011
On 20th January and 21st February 2011 the church was targeted by an arsonist. After the January fire, it was unclear whether the church hall would be salvageable, while the auditorium was also damaged. The February fire further damaged the building and destroyed the hall. See our photo gallery.

2013
In May 2013 the church opened their new facilities, including a multipurpose hall, two activity rooms, and a new meeting room.
 

Our Former Ministers

1905 - 1906
   R. W. Cameron

1906 - 1910
    Pastor Ebenezer Swinerd

1910 - 1912
    Rev G. Cule

1912 - 1914
    Rev A. Anstice

1914 - 1917
    Rev E. Nicols

1917 - 1929
    Rev E. Gardiner

1929 - 1934
    Rev S. Gilbert

1934 - 1938
    Rev H. Page

1939 - 1944
    Rev Bron Carlisle

1944
    Rev A. Anstice (Relieving)

1945 - 1949
    Rev R. Hoffman

1949 - 1953
    Rev C. Latta

1955 - 1959
    Rev Merv Reid

1961 - 1967
    Rev Jake Blackman

1968 - 1970
    Rev Doug Long

1971 - 1975
    Rev Colin Hood

1976 - 1981
    Rev Stephen Bucknell

1982 - 1989
    Brian Walker

1990 - 1999
    Peter Murch

2001 - 2006
    David Jensen

2007 - 2013
    Allen Hince

2015 - 2016
    Rodger Scoones  (interim)

2016 -
    Martin Baldwin

Our Stained Glass

The beautiful stained glass window at the front of the building was designed by Whanganui architect Mark Southcombe.  Brian Walker (pastor) wanted to use the window space to do something creative to create a worshipful atmosphere.  The design that Mark came up with 'blew us away.  We never would have conceived of something as remarkable and stunning.'

Some of the glass had to come from Italy.  With budgets tight, the design was shown to the members to see whether to proceed.  Surprisingly they liked it so much they were prepared to pay the cost.

It depicts the Cross and light of Christ over an abstract representation of the Manawatu region.  The blue line represents the Oroua River but also Jesus as the water of life.  The Cross looms large over a stylised view of Feilding towards the native forest on the Ruahine Ranges.

The green pastoral land and the ears of grain recognition of our rural surrounds, with the angled brown and orange stripes a suggestion of the ploughed land ready for planting.

We recognise the Tangata Whenua with the koru patterns at the left and right foundations.

Subtlely are mirrors, placed around the centre of the Cross representing Jesus as the light of the world, with the golden beams of God's love and offer of salvation to all.  The reds and the purples hints to the royal nature of Jesus and the blood shed for us.

Having said all that Brian and Peter Murch, pastor at the time of installation, concur that 'by not explaining it too fully, people may read into it what they can see.'

Our Tilt Panel Crosses

The tilt panels behind the hall have the pattern leading to the cross that has inspired our current logo.  

The pattern could be about the journey to faith, coming to understand God, before realising the significance of Jesus.  The final (right hand) cross has something of humility being slightly smaller.

 

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