St Matthew’s, Hastings

St Matthew’s, Hastings has an architecturally and historically significant church, a thriving parish school and childcare centre in the grounds, and all the challenges attached to being an inner-city parish in a provincial city. Worship is traditional and congregations tend towards the mature.

Contact:
St Matthew’s Church, cnr King St South and Lyndon Rd West, PO Box 824, Hastings 4156
Email: stmatthews.hastings@gmail.com
Website: http://www.stmatts.org.nz
Ph: 06 878-9476 Fax: 06 878-9478
 
Vicar: Alister Hendery - Ph 021 742 434
Email: alister@waiapu.com

Worship: Ordered and liturgical, using NZ Prayer Book, but nevertheless relaxed, welcoming and friendly.
Sunday - 8am (45mins): Small congregation in beautifully appointed Lady Chapel.
10am (65mins): larger congregation with choir, pipe organ, hymns and liturgy. Dance choir for special celebrations.
Thursday - 10.15am: traditional Communion in chapel.

Ethos: Relaxed broad Anglican but open to exploring faith and belief; shares with other mainline churches; regular combined services with Roman Catholics and Presbyterians.

Ethnicity: Mainly Pakeha but some younger families involved, including Maori, Malaysian and South African.

Children: Activity provided during 10am Eucharist. Interaction with school on site. Children’s dance group and choir being developed.

Social: Morning tea after 10am service, and regular congregational lunches. Afternoon Fellowship group meets monthly.

Training: Occasional study groups, seasonal quiet days and retreats encouraged.

Outreach: Parish hosts primary school and early childhood centre; op shop; weekly pre-school music and art and craft programmes.

Highlights: Advent, Christmas and Easter; patronal festival and occasional sung evensong and other celebrations; combined school and parish eucharist each term, Blossom Week lunchtime concerts; many other public concerts and recitals.