St Luke's Church (Tikorangi)

Tikorangi was established as a military settlement in 1865 and early church services were held in private homes or the school.

In 1899  Mr.J. W. Foreman donated a small corner section of his farm as a site for an Anglican church. Along similar lines to the Ōkato church, it was designed by Frank Messenger and built by Messrs Pickett & Grayling. It was completed in 1900 with an opening service on 7 December and it was later dedicated by Archbishop Cowie, on 18 February 1901.

One oak tree was planted on 21 July 1925 as a memorial to Prime Minister William "Farmer Bill" Massey (1856-1925). (Note that another oak tree may also have been planted that year)

The single-furrow plough memorial to Tikorangi settlers in the church grounds was unveiled in 1971.

St Luke's Church celebrated it's 90th anniversary on 17 February 1991. 

Further reading: Adams-Smith, Diana:  St Luke's Church, Tikorangi: The First 100 Years, [2001], Wilson, Peter: A Journey Through Tikorangi's History: The Events, the places and the people of the last 150 years, [2022].

Related documents:

St Luke's is 75 (Daily News 20 October 1975)

Tikorangi church spruced up (Daily News 23 January 1991)

Many attend Tikorangi celebrations (Daily News 18 February 1991)

St Luke's 90th jubilee service (Daily News 20 February 1991)

New Tree Planted (Daily News 10 March 1995)