Monsignor Carroll Memorial (1992)

This memorial to the late Monsignor Michael James Carroll is located on Herekawe Reserve on Centennial Drive. 

Although today the coastal memorial is simply marked by a plaque fixed to a large rock, the original concept was something much more unique. 

In November 1991 eleven five-metre-high posts were erected on this coastal site as a memorial to the late parish priest and the installation was quickly dubbed 'Woodhenge' by locals. In fact, the North Taranaki Midweek published an article the week after they were erected with the headline, "Mysterious Woodhenge". They were described as "ten thin poles...paired off to face each other, while in the centre is a heavily carved pole which include religious motifs, people carving, typing, and driving a campervan." To add to the mystery no one who the newspaper contacted knew anything about the poles. 

All was revealed two days later when a front-page article appeared in the Daily News with an accompanying photograph of the artist Michael Smither. He explained to the newspaper that they were part of a memorial to Monsignor Carroll, parish priest of St Joseph's Church for 13 years. 

The Taranaki West Rotary Club had first canvassed the idea back in 1984 after the sudden death of Monsignor Carroll (who was also a member of the Rotary Club) while on holiday in England. It took some time for a definite plan to formulated, but finally after discussions with the New Plymouth District Council a site was chosen and Michael Smither engaged to design the memorial. Although Smither took the lead in designing the memorial, it seems likely that other artists were also involved in the design and carving of the poles.

The project organiser, Barry Gilliland was interviewed by the North Taranaki Weekender (24 November 1991) and said, " All the poles were taken out of one totara tree logged in the National Park specifically for this project." The final cost was estimated at over $5,000, raised through fundraising and a $2,000 grant from the Taranaki Savings Bank Trust - now Toi Foundation. 

On 26 April 1992 the memorial rock and plaque was dedicated in front of a crowd of New Plymouth West Rotary Club and St Joseph's parish members.

In February 1996 vandals destroyed the memorial, cutting down all the wooden poles. The memorial had previously been attacked in September 1994 and also toward the end of 1995. It's not known if they were ever re-erected, however it's possible that a decision was made at this point to leave the rock as the lone memorial to Monsignor Carroll.  

Related items:

The Reverend Monsignor Michael James Carroll Biography, (Our Lady Help of Christians, Fitzroy)

Monsignor Carroll takes memorial mass for Trevor John Maskelyne (Taranaki Herald 5 December 1979)

Memorial planned by rotary club (North Taranaki Weekender 28 April 1991)

NP Priest In UK Hospital (Daily News 23 July 1984)

Monsignor Carroll dies in England (Daily News 30 July 1984)

Dean remembered for sincerity (Taranaki Herald 30 July 1984)

Service For Dean (Taranaki Herald 4 August 1984)