St Joseph's Catholic Church (Waitara)

St Joseph's Catholic Church is located on Nelson St in Waitara. It was opened by Archbishop McKeefry on 15 February 1959.

The architect was Mr. R. Roberts of Hāwera and the builders Jones and Sandford Ltd. The cost was £34,564 (Bradford). (Note: the Taranaki Herald reports the cost as £27,500)

The first Catholic Church in Waitara was erected in Memorial Place and was dedicated by Archbishop Redwood on 1 March 1908. The church was built by Messrs. Pikett and Wilkie at a cost of £475. The architect was Mr. Jones of New Plymouth.

Further reading: "A History of the Catholic Faith in Waitara and Districts" by Paddy Bradford (TRCT282 BRA).

Related documents:

Erection Of New Church At Waitara (Taranaki Daily News 15 August 1957)

Contrast in church design (Taranaki Herald 18 February 1958)

Progress on new Waitara buildings (Taranaki Herald 1 August 1958)

New Waitara Church (Taranaki Herald 10 December 1958)

Opening Of St Joseph's Catholic Church (Taranaki Daily News 16 February 1959)

New Church, School Opened (Taranaki Daily News 16 February 1959)

Unusual architecture (New Plymouth Photo News #26, 19 March 1959)

Parishoners Vote To Save Existing Church (Taranaki Daily News 11 December 2006)