St Pauls Memorial Church

A special taonga (treasure) in Whanganui is the St Pauls Memorial Church in Putiki. Filled with beautiful and intricate Māori carvings and tukutuku (wall panels), they weave a tale of the people and the land in this area that dates back to the 1830’s. St Pauls Anglican Memorial Church in Putiki, Whanganui, is one of the most intricately and beautifully decorated Churches in Aotearoa, New Zealand. This unique building is adorned with fascinating Maori tukutuku and lattice designs which speak of the history of the church and the area.

St Pauls Memorial Church site itself dates back to 1842, and several actual buildings have been constructed on this site over the years- a must see for locals and visitors alike! See the building and hear the story from local guides steeped in the knowledge of this historic treasure.

Contact the Whanganui i-Site Visitor Centre to view one of the most wonderfully decorated Māori churches. Guided tours are available from Wednesday to Sunday from 2.00pm or by special arrangements, just in case you do not happen to be in Whanganui on those days.

On your drive towards St Pauls Memorial Church in Putiki, allow for an extra hour to visit the sixty six metre high, Durie Hill Elevator which was built in 1919 and is NZ’s only public underground elevator and one of the only two in the world. A pedestrian tunnel leads to the elevator and at the top the panoramic views of the Tasman Sea, Mount Ruapehu and Mount Taranaki are amazing.

Like they say, two birds with one stone, here you have discovered two historically icons dating back to the 18 and 1900’s in just two hours of your lifetime! For more historical and artistic discoveries, visit the Whanganui i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, pick up a Heritage and Art Guide and become an explorer while in Whanganui.