Whiteley Mission House, New Plymouth, New Zealand - New Zealand Historic Places on Waymarking.com

The Whiteley Mission House is of national significance for the insight it gives into the relationship between Wesleyan church missionaries and Maori before, during, and after the New Zealand Wars over land and sovereignty in the Taranaki area. The building is of considerable cultural significance for its association with key figures in the Wesleyan church. The building has historical significance for the insight it gives into the philosophies that shaped the first public Maori girls' schools in the area. The provision of boarding facilities indicates the missionaries' desire to immerse Maori in Pakeha culture, while the school curriculum highlights contemporary ideas about the role of females in Pakeha society. The building is architecturally noteworthy. Built in Anglo-Gothic style, the school reflects Turton's desire to promote English culture and civilisation to his Maori students. The building is similar to the now demolished Grey Institute and thus provides valuable insight into the architecture of that building. The distinctive appearance of the building also gives it some landscape significance and it remains a physical reminder of the Wesleyan presence in the area.

The Mission House is a Maori Community Centre nowadays, easily accessible from the private driveway and carpark, but the little chapel is easily visible from St. Aubyn Street.

The Chapel was built by Zaccheus Wells in 1869 and gifted to the Methodist Maori Mission by Philip Wells in 1940.

This is the newspaper report of the opening and first service in the New Chapel at Mangorei, from the Taranaki Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 924, 16 October 1869, Page 2.

"On Sunday last this chapel was opened for divine worship, and there assembled a very good congregation. The Rev. H. Brown preached on the occasion. This chapel has been erected by Mr. Z. Wells in the centre of the Mangorei district at his own expense, and we feel certain his neighbours and the settlers round about there must feel grateful to him for his liberal act in providing them with a place, wherein they can assemble once a week to offer up their prayers to the Almighty. It is a pretty building, we believe, and the builder, Mr. Corney, has exhibited much taste in its erection. Il is built of red pine, and will hold about fifty persons. The seats and reading desk are of polished wood, and tho doors are covered with green baize. The chapel will be opened for Protestant worship every Sunday; and when there are a sufficient number of children in the district to attend, a school will be held in the building during the week."

Date location was entrusted to the New Zealand Historic places: 06/28/1990 Type of history commemorated (short description): Missionary Turton erected a boarding school on a hill near his mission house. Designed to equip Maori with a European education and provide training in farming, the school was named the Grey Institute in recognition of Governor Sir George Grey's support of the project. Initial success of the school encouraged Turton to erect a similar institution for Maori girls in 1854. Website pertaining to the location: [Web Link] Town, city, or region nearest to the site: New Plymouth Hours of operation: Not open to the public Is it accessible to the general public: Not open to the public, but visible from the street Year placed: Not listed Admission fees if any: Not Listed

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Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   09/11/2010 Punga and Paua visited it 11/11/2007 Phronimos visited it

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