ST MARY’S CATHOLIC
CHURCH, WANGANUI, NZ
![The tukutuku (woven flax) panels on this wall have been carefully assembled by loving hands, and presumably all have special meaning ... . [Click photo to ZOOM IN]](Resources/11MaraeNWall.jpg "11. MARAE FRONT WALL")
![The side wall is similarly decorated. Some of the patterns are really intricate. There are signs of communal living here! [Click photo to ZOOM IN]](Resources/12MaraeEWall.jpg "12. MARAE SIDE WALL")
![The entry to St Mary’s is through the hall, entering from the parking area off Gyton St to the west. [Church photo]](Resources/13Entry.jpg "13. CHURCH ENTRY")
![This detailed work inside the entry contains many Bible verses, pointing to Christ as Saviour, Lord and Judge. [Click photo to ZOOM IN]](Resources/15EntryInteriorMural.jpg "15. BIBLE JOURNEY")
![The stained glass inserts are beautiful. Depicted here, from left:
• St Margaret Mary receives the vision of the Sacred Heart • Bishop
• The Woman of the Apocalypse
• Archbishop • Christ gives Peter the keys to the Kingdom. Each window, or pair of windows, is given in memory of parishioners of the earlier St Mary’s. [Click photo to ZOOM IN]](Resources/24NWWindowDetail.jpg "24. NORTH WEST STAINED GLASS")
![These six panes are again all dedicated to various people from the past, but the subject matter is easier to recognize here. Clockwise from top left: 1&2 The Annunciation; 3&4 The Adoration of the Magi; 8 Jesus bearing his cross meets his mother (a rather fanciful depiction) 7 Jesus prays in the Garden; 6 The crowning of Mary; 5 Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. [Click photo to ZOOM IN]](Resources/28WWindow.jpg "28. WEST STAINED GLASS")
![Fortunately, these carvings beneath have some explanations. We see that they are Stations I to VI of the Cross (read from the right), although the sequence differs from those commonly seen. It is interesting to read the plates below and then look closely at the interpretation of the carvings above. [Click photo to ZOOM IN]](Resources/35StationsR.jpg "34. STATIONS OF THE CROSS I")
![A further seven Stations of the Cross appear to the left. This sequence closes with ‘Jesus is buried’. [Click photo to ZOOM IN]](Resources/36StationsL.jpg "35. STATIONS OF THE CROSS II")
![Again these are very fine stained glass windows. The figures depitced are (from left): • St Patrick •St Joseph • St Luke • St Matthew • The Sacred Heart • Mary • St John • St Mark • St Clare • Mary and Child. [Click photo to ZOOM IN]](Resources/40NEWindowDetail.jpg "40. WINDOW INSETS")
![The crucifix is a present reminder of the death of Christ – the Son of God who died for the sins of many, that we might be called the children of God. This completes our tour of St Mary’s. [Click the x at top left to continue.]](Resources/45CrucifixDetail.jpg "44. CRUCIFIX")