Statue from near top of Carterton church now has school home

A Mass was celebrated at St Mary’s School in Carterton last month and the Mary Garden at the school was blessed afterwards. Fr Matthew White and Fr Pene Patelesio were the celebrants at the Mass.

The garden features the statue under an archway that has been planted with jasmine. There are two Mary roses, sunflowers and friends and whānau of St Mary’s School have painted rocks that have been secured as part of the garden.

The statue was brought from Paris by Fr Anthony Halbwachs to be installed in the first St Mary’s Church in Carterton in 1878. In 2018, St Mary’s Church was deemed earthquake-prone and, together with the adjacent presbytery, was sold in 2022 to Westwood Property Group Limited. The church was deconsecrated.

Part of the sale and purchase agreement was that the statue would be returned to the parish. It was sent for repairs in Masterton.

St Mary’s School principal Karen Goodall said a member of the Catholic parish of Wairarapa, Claire Hills, recently worked with the developer who had purchased the land to make the statue’s relocation to the school possible.

“We have admired the Lady of Lourdes grotto at the Home of Compassion in Island Bay which inspired us,” Ms Goodall said.

“Mary is our patron saint, so we were very keen to have the statue at school, particularly as there is no Catholic church in Carterton these days.”

Ms Goodall said the Mary Garden would be a quiet place for prayer and reflection.

“’Tenei Matou’ to thank all those involved in the creation of this garden. The students and staff of St Mary’s are honoured to be the kaitiaki of this very special statue.”

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Historic statue at home at school | The Post (By Chris Tobin/Wairarapa Times-Age – subscription required)

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