Click on the link in the History to read the serialised historic background written by Bruce Johnson
The Life Story of The St James Church
A group of Presbyterian Scots led by Norman McLeod left Scotland in 1817. They settled briefly at Pictou in Nova Scotia, Canada before establishing themselves at St Ann's on Cape Breton Island, Canada.
Due to the inhospitable climate, a shortage of land for the next generation and the effects of a potato blight, McLeod and his followers migrated to South Australia in 1851, and from there almost immediately on to New Zealand. The first group of McLeod's followers arrived in Auckland on the Gazelle in September 1853, and in 1854 began to settle on Government allotments in the Waipu area in Northland. Four more ships followed from Nova Scotia, in 1856, 1857, 1858 and 1860. All told, more over 800 people took part in the migration.
A sister settlement to Waipu was established at Whangarei Heads after the government made land available there in 1856. The area was ideal for ship building and the maritime life style the early settlers were accustomed to. Reverend Norman McLeod travelled to the Heads once a month, where he preached in both Gaelic and English in either Captain George McLeod’s house or Donald McGregors’ barn. While close ties were maintained with Waipu the stretch of water between the two settlements was not seen as a bad thing when it came to the overzealous preacher.
It is not known exactly when the church was built. Locally it is thought to have been built in 1858 making it the oldest Presbyterian Church in Northland, but this can’t be authenticated. It is recorded that Norman McLeod preached only once in the church before his death in 1866. Research by the Historic Places trust suggests that construction is more likely to have been in the late 1860’s or possibly early 1870’s.
Captain George McLeod donated the land on which the church was built. In 1878 a surveyor, Mr J. T. Wilson, produced a plan of much of the Whangarei Heads area in which the church property is easily recognised. At that time it was still part of George McLeod's land which extended to the harbour foreshore on its western boundary. It was not until 1927 that the Presbyterian Church was given title to the 1 rood, 14 perches of land on which the church was sited. This area was subsequently added to in 1966 by a further 9 perches gifted by Mr G Cornfoot. These two pieces of land are now vested in the church.
By the turn of the century a road for horse drawn traffic ran through McLeod Bay more or less where the road is today. A wooden bridge spanned the creek not far from the church and about 1930 it was replaced with a culvert. As motor vehicles came into use a wider carriageway was required. At this point in time vehicles were travelling within seven feet of the southern corner of the church and there was a danger that it could be hit by a vehicle. By 1966 vehicle numbers had increased to the point that something had to be done, so the county council shifted the building 40 feet away from the road. This is where it sits today.
Architecturally the church is consistent with austere teachings of Norman McLeod and the Presbyterian Church. It is plain, simple, utilitarian and lacks ornamentation. It is built of heart Kauri and originally had a shingle roof. Hand wrought nails were used in its construction. It measures 27 feet long and 20.5 feet wide.
Inside, the original 16 pews are still in use, though some of them have had blocks added underneath to tilt them back in an endeavour to make them more comfortable. There is an old organ which is still in use today. In commemoration of the church congregations centennial (1956) Mr J. R. Maddren presented a baptismal font and a hymn board to the church. For many years an old Gaelic Bible held an honoured place in the church also. Because few people could read Gaelic the Bible was given to the Whangarei Public Library where it is held on permanent loan.
Prior to 1909 Whangarei Heads was part of the Waipu parish with ministers from there preaching at the Heads once a month. After this time it was folded into the home mission charge. Over time the population at the Heads decreased and attendance at the church fell off. Administration of the Heads church was carried out by the Presbyterian Church in Onerahi which assumed the name of Saint James that had been given to the much older Heads church.
About 1974 Anglicans began holding services in the church and today worship is shared by a Cooperating Church known, as St Peter’s by the Sea (Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist and others), an Anglican congregation and a Catholic congregation. This reflects the changes that have taken place in the community over the last hundred and fifty years and illustrates the fact that the church is still an important part of the community fabric. See the events page for service details.
2006 saw the addition of a porch/vestry and toilet added to the front of the church. At this time the pulpit was removed.
In October 2012 the Presbyterian Church decided to sell the Whangarei Heads Church. A community Trust, Whangarei Heads Historic Church Protection Trust, was established to buy the land and building. The local community, along with descendants of the pioneer families raised $40,000 to purchase the land and buildings and so it was on 28 March 2014 that the Trust became owner of the church. The role of the Trust now is to ensuring continued public utility while maintaining the historical integrity of the much loved historic church.
Today the church continues to play a significant role in the life of the local community, as it has since its construction in the nineteenth century. It has a grade II listing on the Historic Places Trust register.
Below is a list of Ministers that served at the St James Church, Whangarei Heads - From a memoir of Mrs F Jagger.
Rev Puttullo 1907 - 1911
Rev Day 1912 - 1918
Rev Lochore 1918 - 1929
Rev Elliot 1930 - 1945
Rev Burton 1945 -1953
Sister Kerr
Rev Mountjoy 1954 - 1958
RevWilliams 1959
Rev Falconer 1959
Rev Middleplatz 1959 -
Sister Gray
Due to the inhospitable climate, a shortage of land for the next generation and the effects of a potato blight, McLeod and his followers migrated to South Australia in 1851, and from there almost immediately on to New Zealand. The first group of McLeod's followers arrived in Auckland on the Gazelle in September 1853, and in 1854 began to settle on Government allotments in the Waipu area in Northland. Four more ships followed from Nova Scotia, in 1856, 1857, 1858 and 1860. All told, more over 800 people took part in the migration.
A sister settlement to Waipu was established at Whangarei Heads after the government made land available there in 1856. The area was ideal for ship building and the maritime life style the early settlers were accustomed to. Reverend Norman McLeod travelled to the Heads once a month, where he preached in both Gaelic and English in either Captain George McLeod’s house or Donald McGregors’ barn. While close ties were maintained with Waipu the stretch of water between the two settlements was not seen as a bad thing when it came to the overzealous preacher.
It is not known exactly when the church was built. Locally it is thought to have been built in 1858 making it the oldest Presbyterian Church in Northland, but this can’t be authenticated. It is recorded that Norman McLeod preached only once in the church before his death in 1866. Research by the Historic Places trust suggests that construction is more likely to have been in the late 1860’s or possibly early 1870’s.
Captain George McLeod donated the land on which the church was built. In 1878 a surveyor, Mr J. T. Wilson, produced a plan of much of the Whangarei Heads area in which the church property is easily recognised. At that time it was still part of George McLeod's land which extended to the harbour foreshore on its western boundary. It was not until 1927 that the Presbyterian Church was given title to the 1 rood, 14 perches of land on which the church was sited. This area was subsequently added to in 1966 by a further 9 perches gifted by Mr G Cornfoot. These two pieces of land are now vested in the church.
By the turn of the century a road for horse drawn traffic ran through McLeod Bay more or less where the road is today. A wooden bridge spanned the creek not far from the church and about 1930 it was replaced with a culvert. As motor vehicles came into use a wider carriageway was required. At this point in time vehicles were travelling within seven feet of the southern corner of the church and there was a danger that it could be hit by a vehicle. By 1966 vehicle numbers had increased to the point that something had to be done, so the county council shifted the building 40 feet away from the road. This is where it sits today.
Architecturally the church is consistent with austere teachings of Norman McLeod and the Presbyterian Church. It is plain, simple, utilitarian and lacks ornamentation. It is built of heart Kauri and originally had a shingle roof. Hand wrought nails were used in its construction. It measures 27 feet long and 20.5 feet wide.
Inside, the original 16 pews are still in use, though some of them have had blocks added underneath to tilt them back in an endeavour to make them more comfortable. There is an old organ which is still in use today. In commemoration of the church congregations centennial (1956) Mr J. R. Maddren presented a baptismal font and a hymn board to the church. For many years an old Gaelic Bible held an honoured place in the church also. Because few people could read Gaelic the Bible was given to the Whangarei Public Library where it is held on permanent loan.
Prior to 1909 Whangarei Heads was part of the Waipu parish with ministers from there preaching at the Heads once a month. After this time it was folded into the home mission charge. Over time the population at the Heads decreased and attendance at the church fell off. Administration of the Heads church was carried out by the Presbyterian Church in Onerahi which assumed the name of Saint James that had been given to the much older Heads church.
About 1974 Anglicans began holding services in the church and today worship is shared by a Cooperating Church known, as St Peter’s by the Sea (Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist and others), an Anglican congregation and a Catholic congregation. This reflects the changes that have taken place in the community over the last hundred and fifty years and illustrates the fact that the church is still an important part of the community fabric. See the events page for service details.
2006 saw the addition of a porch/vestry and toilet added to the front of the church. At this time the pulpit was removed.
In October 2012 the Presbyterian Church decided to sell the Whangarei Heads Church. A community Trust, Whangarei Heads Historic Church Protection Trust, was established to buy the land and building. The local community, along with descendants of the pioneer families raised $40,000 to purchase the land and buildings and so it was on 28 March 2014 that the Trust became owner of the church. The role of the Trust now is to ensuring continued public utility while maintaining the historical integrity of the much loved historic church.
Today the church continues to play a significant role in the life of the local community, as it has since its construction in the nineteenth century. It has a grade II listing on the Historic Places Trust register.
Below is a list of Ministers that served at the St James Church, Whangarei Heads - From a memoir of Mrs F Jagger.
Rev Puttullo 1907 - 1911
Rev Day 1912 - 1918
Rev Lochore 1918 - 1929
Rev Elliot 1930 - 1945
Rev Burton 1945 -1953
Sister Kerr
Rev Mountjoy 1954 - 1958
RevWilliams 1959
Rev Falconer 1959
Rev Middleplatz 1959 -
Sister Gray