Church on the Corner......

.......will no longer be, its going to be demolished after being hit by the earthquakes in 2010 and 2011.

By 1860 the busy little township of Rangiora, past the flax and swamps of Kaiapoi, had sprung into existence. From that year Presbyterians from Rangiora and Kaiapoi meet together for services. The first church was opened in High Street in September 1872.

Not until 40 years later in December 1912, was a church building fund established and the site where the present church stands, on the opposite side of High Street, purchased for two hundred and fifty pounds.

In 1916 a new church building campaign was launched. Due to the aftermath of the First World War there was a shortage of materials and the contract was held up for a few years, but in March 1922 the foundation stone of John Knox Church, which reads, 'To the Glory of God and as a peace memorial after the war 1914-1918', was carefully placed. The opening ceremony was conducted in September 1922.

I'm going away on Wednesday and the recent news about the town is this church is coming down very soon, thought I'd best blip it before it goes. It sits diagonally across from our Grand Old Lady and you might notice how beautifully kept the garden was picking up the colours of the Grand Old Lady and edged by its little iron fence. Our Grand Old Lady is under restoration she's all wrapped up at present.

Changes are slowly starting out here in Rangiora.

No MonoMonday from me today but I would like to thank GingerNan for hosting the challenge, its been a huge amount of fun and great to see so many different interpretations of the weekly theme :)

Happy Monday blippers - must fly and get some tea under way :)

PS The sign reads: 'Yes! Still Worshipping Here!

PPS Another addition to my one street series