Easter

As we approach the season of Easter, I thought, what would we discover looking back at old papers of how Easter was celebrated here in Rotorua over the years?

17 April 1895 from the Hot Lakes Chronicle describes a Sunday School picnic held on Easter Monday by the Presbyterian church. The article talks of "an abundance of good things provided" but there's no specific mention of Easter Eggs, chocolate or the Easter Bunny.

Hot Lakes Chronicle 17 April 1895, p 2

As well as information about different services that would be held on the Good Friday and Easter Sunday, sporting events (such as the Yachting regatta) were announced, and notice of shop services alterations for the four days were advised in 1956. Mention is made of the availability in the shops of "Novelties...Easter eggs, bunnies and chickens for the children". More weight is given to the church services that will be held.

Daily Post 28 March 1956

Daily Post 28 March 1956

Following the Easter weekend of 1956, there was a description in the paper of packed churches and accounts of the different services held by the Presbyterian, Anglican and Catholic churches.

Daily Post 2 April 1956, p 1

In the Photo News of May 1965, there are photos of churches in a Procession of witness leading to a combined service. Was this part of the Easter or pre-Easter celebrations? If anyone should know, the library staff would love to hear from you.

Photo News 8 May 1965, p 7

The Easter Yachting Regatta is still going strong in 1965...

Photo News 8 May 1965

and there's now Powerboat Racing as well.

Photo News 8 May 1965

Easter treats in the form of Easter Eggs were delivered to children in the cerebral palsy unit of Queen Elizabeth Hospital hospital by the Easter bunny, courtesy of Jaycees.

Photo News  7 April 1967, p 19

An Easter tomb with the stone rolled away was constructed at the entrance to the Rotorua City Christian Fellowship, to remind people that "Easter is about the death and resurrection of Jesus"

Daily Post 2 April 1994, p 2

In 1995 children were read to by the Easter Bunny during a Library holiday programme.

Daily Post 12 April 1995, p 1

At Cantabria, residents got into the fun of making and decorating hats for the annual Easter bonnet parade.

Daily Post 13 April 1995, p 1

"Passion in the Park", a multi-denominational passion play was presented at the Lakefront in 1997. The previous year, the production was in the FRI grounds.

Daily Post 27 March 1997, p 2

By 1998, the Antiques fair was held  in Rotorua over Easter weekend, with lots of folks in attendance at the Rotorua Convention Centre.

Daily Post 14 April 1998, p 1

Not just the young received Easter goodies. The Rotorua Host Lions Club delivered Easter gifts of hot cross buns, sweets and fruit to residents of pensioner flats.

Daily Post 22 April 1998, p 9

At St Lukes Anglican church, Music for Passiontide was performed on Good Friday, while Destiny church also had an Easter production, Rezurrection Road on Easter Sunday.

Daily Post 11 April 2001, p 12

The Daily Post, on 24 April 2001, had a special lift-out, Te Arawa Day: a celebration of the tribe's blessing. The Easter Monday had been a special celebration day for iwi

Daily Post 24 April 2001

The Don Stafford Rooms holds the Photo News which can be freely viewed. Microfiche of old Daily Post newspapers may be also viewed on the 2nd floor. Library staff are happy to assist.
With thanks to the Daily Post and Photo News. This blog written by Trish.

St Michael's Roman Catholic Church, Ohinemutu

Rotorua's 1^st Catholic Mission Station c 1841 

Marist priests, Father Borjon & Brother Justin, arrived at Maketu and commenced their mission there. They also travelled to Ohinemutu via Lake Rotoiti. Father Borjon was well liked by the people there but sadly Father Borjon died at sea in 1843.

Father E. Reignier is sent to Maketu in 1842 but decided to take up residence at Ohinemutu.  The Roman Catholic Church is sold 3 ½ acres on Pukeroa Hill for £10 10s. This was duly paid by Bishop Pompallier. 

A wooden church was built in the Maori style and dedicated to St Joachim. By 1847 he had also established 3 other chapels. One at Kaiteriaria (Rotokakahi – Green Lake), one at Rotomahana and one at Paehinahina (Rotoiti.) 

The Mill Hill Father’s

Fr Becker arrived in 1888 and found there was neither church nor a priest’s house at Ohinemutu. No papers could be found to verify the land previously sold to the church, so after much debate it was decided they could have the one freehold section available at this time, the site of the current day St Michael’s Church. 

Father Becker was based at Matata and had a very large parish and was often away during his time. Toward the end of 1889 Fr. Becker at the request of Bishop Luck left Rotorua for the Hokianga. Fr. Smiers is sent to the Tokaanu-Taupo area.

[St Michael's Church - Ohinemutu],Hammond, Thomas William George Howard, 1868-1967,
compiler,ca. 1897,PH-ALB-357-9-P9-1 With thanks to Auckland Museum.

Father Holierhoek  was in Ohinemutu by 1892. He opened the new church near Taheke which was dedicated to St Joseph.

Father Kreijmborg takes over from Fr. Holierhoek and is in Ohinemutu until 1896 when he moves to Waihi. Fr. Kemp from the Hokianga takes over the parish. 
Mother Mary McKillop, founder of the Sisters of St Joseph’s Convent in Australia, arrives in Rotorua c1902 for treatment of her rheumatism. While staying at the Thirwell she walked to St Michael’s to teach school. In 1903 a school opens behind the convent at Ohinemutu.

In 1904 Father Kreijmborg built a church at Whakarewarewa which was dedicated the ‘Church of the Immaculate Conception” also known as St Mary of the Cross.

By 1906 Father Kreijmborg is back and is busy altering and adding to the St Michael’s Church and Convent.  He also built a church at Owhatiura (St Joseph’s) and then goes on to build one at Mamaku this is finished by October 1906 and dedicated to St Joseph by the Very Rev. Dean Lightheart on the second Sunday in October.  

Father Kreijmborg leaves the district in 1907 to take up a position at Opotiki.  Rev. Dean Lightheart is left in Rotorua as Parish Priest.  Father Kreijmborg returns to open the new Roman Catholic Church ‘Church of the Immaculate Conception’ at Ngongotaha in 1915 as Dean Lightheart is in Tauranga recovering from a recent car accident.

1922-24 A new school is built, as the one at Ohinemutu is now too small, (this is the first St Michael’s) on Ranolf Street and the convent, St Joseph’s,  purchased a house next to the school.  In 1926 a chapel is opened in the convent and called “Chapel of Ease” which locals are welcome to attend services there.

1940s the school expands adding a new classroom.  And in 1950 two wings are added to the main building and in 1954 St Mary’s Church opens with Father McKenna as Priest.

1958 a new school is built and this becomes St Michael's and the other on Ranolf Street becomes St Mary’s School. A convent is built as part of the school buildings.

1960s brings more growth to the region and St Michael’s is now too small. It was decided to build a new one around the old one.  

St Michael's Catholic Church, c2013.

With thanks to Kete Rotorua.