Our winter lecture this year was held on the afternoon of 23 August at Kāhui St David’s, 70 Khyber Pass Road, Grafton, a Category A historic heritage place.

About 60 people attended, enjoying the playing by Aleksy Kowalski of the 1905 Croft organ as they entered the Great Hall, then hearing from Allan Matson, CTA president, about the building’s scheduling in the Unitary Plan, about the building itself in the context of the historic heritage area, and also about the architect, Daniel B Patterson.

Paul Baragwanath, Director of Kāhui St David’s then presented the “untold” story of the building: the threat of demolition, its purchase, the very necessary restoration work and the huge community input to raise funds and work voluntarily for the building to be transformed. It is now a centre for music and hosts many and varied concerts, as well as other cultural and celebratory events.

Image: Kāhui St David’s

https://www.kahuistdavids.nz/