St Andrew's Westshore Parish: A Parish History 140 Years
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TitleSt Andrew's Westshore Parish: A Parish History 140 YearsAuthorBill Bennett Noel HenderyDescriptionThe parish story of St Andrew's Church – Ahuriri and Westshore – deserves to be told. Thanks to Bill Bennett and Noel Hendery, two priests who over the last 30 years have invested much creative leadership and pastoral care into the life of St Andrew's, and have now so fully recorded that story for us.
The result is a rich record of the contribution to both church and community by so many clergy and lay people over those 140 years. But also a helpful insight into the many changes in both church and community, in lifestyles and social attitudes, in country and town, that period covers.
In my time as Bishop in the 1990's, Waiapu diocese found itself exploring new ways of sustaining ministry and leadership in many of our ministry units. The people of St Andrew's were a source of inspiration and encouragement, by their readiness to meet the challenges. On my retirement, they gave me a simple present of 5 clay fish, which still “swim” in my garden! They are a happy reminder of the challenge faced by Jesus and his disciples when faced with a great crowd of hungry people – 5000 men,
let alone women and children, we are told.
It was St Andrew, who found an unlikely lad, with 5 small fish and 2 small loaves in
his lunch box. But that proved more than enough to meet the needs of the day.
May present and future worshippers at St Andrew's Westshore, young and old, be moved by
the same enterprising faith evident so often over the first 140 years, and be ready to offer
relevant and satisfying ministry.
Murray Mills (Bishop of Waiapu 1991 – 2002)
The result is a rich record of the contribution to both church and community by so many clergy and lay people over those 140 years. But also a helpful insight into the many changes in both church and community, in lifestyles and social attitudes, in country and town, that period covers.
In my time as Bishop in the 1990's, Waiapu diocese found itself exploring new ways of sustaining ministry and leadership in many of our ministry units. The people of St Andrew's were a source of inspiration and encouragement, by their readiness to meet the challenges. On my retirement, they gave me a simple present of 5 clay fish, which still “swim” in my garden! They are a happy reminder of the challenge faced by Jesus and his disciples when faced with a great crowd of hungry people – 5000 men,
let alone women and children, we are told.
It was St Andrew, who found an unlikely lad, with 5 small fish and 2 small loaves in
his lunch box. But that proved more than enough to meet the needs of the day.
May present and future worshippers at St Andrew's Westshore, young and old, be moved by
the same enterprising faith evident so often over the first 140 years, and be ready to offer
relevant and satisfying ministry.
Murray Mills (Bishop of Waiapu 1991 – 2002)
Related
MenuPublications | Books
Noel Hendery, St Andrew's Westshore Parish: A Parish History 140 Years. John Kinder Theological Library, accessed 05/04/2026, https://kinderlibrary.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/16985




