This cache has been archived.

nzseries1: The situation here isn't changing any time soon. Will consider a new hide once all the renovations are complete.

GC89PFJ ▼

A cache by nzseries1 Message this owner

Hidden : 6/21/2019

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: micro (micro)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

Stealth will definitely be required!

Do you have shoelaces that need tying, or a backpack you can put down beside the cache?

The cache is not on the temporary fence, nor on the rockwall.

St. James Presbyterian Church

Beside you is the beautiful St. James Church. In 1900 this church was erected as Mt Eden’s Congregational Church. The timber church hall behind was built in 1885 and served as the original church building until it was outgrown by the congregation. It has been known as St James Presbyterian Church since the merging of congregational and Presbyterian churches in 1969.

Since the late 1970s the church has predominantly served the Cook Island community.

It's no longer in use now, being permanently behind a fence and with "danger - asbestos" signs around.

St. James Church. Photo: Ted Baghurst

My photo of the church - with the hall behind it completely gone. And the ugly roundabout in front of it. 27 June 2019

St. James Church Hall

A hall used to be next to the church. It was built in 1885. It was used for Sunday School services after the building of the main church building next to it.

For the 50 or so years before its demolition in 2019, it had been deteriorating and the congregation was willing but financially unable to keep up with the repairs on the building.

It was abandoned in 2012 after the building was deemed structurally unsafe. Since its abandonment concerns were raised about its safety and likelihood of collapse. Also residents complained about rough sleepers in the building at night.

The Church Hall in 2017. Photo: RNZ / Sarah Robson

The Church Hall on 31 December, 2018. Photo: RNZ / Katie Scotcher

On 30 December 2018, the hall caught fire. I was at home nearby, and thought I smelled smoke. I went outside to discover the street all hazy with smoke, and with a lot of people all walking in the same direction towards the church. I went and had a look, and while I was walking someone came up to me and shoved a camera in my face, yelling at me:

Him: Sir! Sir! Has there been an attack on the church?
Me: I don't know, I think it's just a fire that started in an abandoned building.
Him: SIR! Has there or has there not just been a terror attack on the church?
Me: I honestly have no idea.

Then he ran after the next person yelling the same thing! Sir! Sir! It was quite surreal.

That fire could be seen from all over Auckland. I found out later that the fire was in fact treated as suspicious. Developers have been trying to build on the site for years, but couldn't because the council blocked the demolition of the church in 2014. Not saying that has anything to do with it...

Auckland skyline 30 December 2018 (Photo: Julianne Morgan)