This church replaced the 1887 building and was designed by the well-known architect Frederick de Jersey Clere. The firm in charge of the project was J T Julian and Son.
The foundation stone for the large church was laid on 18 March 1928 and it opened later that year on 9 December. The total cost was about £22,000.
By the 1960s shortcomings in the building were proving a liability for the local congregation. Repairs to the masonry and the complete replacement of the leaking windows cost £20,000.
In 1984 the parish decided to build a new church. Finally, it was demolished in 1993, and work began on the present church.
Further reading: Architect of the Angels; The Churches of Frederick de Jersey Clere, Susan MacLean. (TRC726.5092 CLE).
Related documents:
Catholic Church in Hawera (Daily News 8 February 1957)
New interior layout (Daily News 29 Nov 1980)
St Joseph's for Demolition (Taranaki Herald November 1984)
Church enters a new era (Daily News 20 December 1993)
Emotional farewell for church (Daily News 29 December 1993)
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