Situated close to the CBD of Hastings, St Matthew’s has been involved in the life of Hastings city for over 100 years.
One of Hastings’ oldest buildings, St Matthew’s Church holds a Category One designation from the NZ Historic Places Trust. At the heart of the parish’s witness and activity is the historic church whose wooden nave was built in 1886 with the reinforced concrete additions added in 1915. Damage was sustained in the 1931 earthquake but restoration was undertaken, and the tower rebuilt to a reduced height. More recent modifications provide an effective setting for liturgy and a frequently used venue for concerts and recitals.
Within such a beautiful building, regular worship services are held on Sundays and weekdays. Our style has a dignity appropriate to the setting but is, we trust, warm and welcoming to both visitors and regulars.
The historic St Matthew’s Church shares its central city site with several other buildings used by the Parish and others. St Matthew’s Primary School, established in 1995, is a co-educational integrated school of over 130 pupils, from new entrant to Year 8. Waiapu Kids St Matthew’s provides preschool education in the nearby Canon Drake Hall. In the large Parish Hall are located the Parish Office and venues for art and craft groups, and many other activities run by various organisations.
Within such a beautiful building, regular worship services are held on Sundays and weekdays. Our style has a dignity appropriate to the setting but is, we trust, warm and welcoming to both visitors and regulars.
St Matthew’s welcomes visitors and sightseers. The church is open many weekday mornings, for Sunday Services and at other times by arrangement.
