Sign In / Register
Ascension Vineyard on Matakana Road, which has been on the market for more than two years and closed twice as long, may soon have a new life as a church.
The Catholic Diocese of Auckland is considering buying the former winery for a bigger church.
Diocese general manager James van Schie says a consultation process with parishioners will start this weekend.
He says The Holy Name Parish Church in Alnwick Street Warkworth has become too small for its growing community.
“Buying the bigger property [7.5 hectares] would allow relocating Holy Name Catholic Parish to the new site, where a church and pastoral centre could be established,” van Schie says.
“The winery property offers a wedding hall that could be adapted and used as a church with parking, good accessibility and the capability to become a destination for Catholic weddings.”
Under the proposal, the existing restaurant would be repurposed to provide hospitality for parish events, day retreats, community hire and as a space for both church and local groups to gather.
The land currently occupied by vines would be set aside with the intention of being developed for future pastoral use such as a primary school in the long term. This second stage of development would likely not happen for at least 10 years, depending on the growth of Warkworth.
Bishop of Auckland Steve Lowe says the history of Holy Name Parish is one of moving with the times to meet the growing needs of the community.
“Warkworth’s first Catholic church was built in 1910. It was enlarged in 1956 and a new church was built in 1990 to meet the needs of a growing community,” Bishop Lowe says. “This project offers the Holy Name parishioners of today with the opportunity to gift the Holy Name parishioners of the future with a new church and hopefully a school, so creating an active and dynamic hub for the mission of the Church within the wider community.”
Parishioners at Holy Name Parish have been invited to take part in a consultation period that will include a presentation, a site visit and a process in which to provide feedback. A decision is anticipated in late next month.
