About Us

The Early Years

Soon after Palmerston North started as a European settlement, the Manchester Block was formed, land was surveyed and became available to settlers. So Ashhurst and Bunnythorpe had their beginnings in the 1870’s,

Early records are sketchy, but an Anglican layman read services in an Ashhurst home in about 1878. In 1892, the Parochial District of Pohangina was created, so named because the Pohangina River flows down through the Valley.

Gradually the Pohangina Valley was developed for farming, and little “villages” grew. Church ministered to parishioners in Awahou, Pohangina, Komako, Mt. Richards and Utuwai. These congregations provided spiritual and social focal points. From two feet, to horseback, to horse and gig and later early model cars, country people made their way to these centres of worship.  Bridges built and improvements to roads especially after WW2 meant easier travel and the amalgamation of worship centre began. The Church of St. Bartholomew at Komako became more of a regional church in the 1960’s

A little later, people from Pohangina and Awahou traveled on sealed roads to Ashhurst, leaving the Methodist Church in Pohangina to also develop as a regional church. All this reflects the changes in rural communities as farms become larger and service people tend to be in Palmerston North, Feilding or Ashhurst. Bunnythorpe closed as a church as parishioners joined with Ashhurst.  Over the years, this parish has firmly believed that JESUS IS THE GOOD SHEPHERD. We have been served by 19 under shepherds and also some shepherdesses!

We journey on, it is the people, people, the people who must praise Him and spread His gospel.

 A selection of photographs of church buildings and events will be added in the future.

The Church Today

Today we are the same churches, with people that love and serve our Lord.

For some years now, the parish has operated as a Team Ministry Unit, led by Lyn as lay leader, with Neill as Bishop's warden, Yvonne as People's warden, and with the parish vestry. We are a team in all we do:  leading, preaching, singing, teaching, greeting and feeding us after.  As a team, we love and serve each other. One body, many parts, all working together.

We are continually blessed by what God does for us and we look forward to the future here in Ashhurst and Komako and the things that we plan to do - and more importantly, what God has in His plan for us.

We warmly welcome all people who come through the door from all walks of life, with the challenges and blessings they bring us.  Come and join with us, receive God's love, blessings and teaching.  We believe we are "a place to belong."

Nau mai, haere mai!