In 1972 tenders were let for the construction of a new Catholic church at Pungarehu. Rodney Smith was successful with a tender of $64,000, plus working plan costs of $7,000.
The new church was opened and blessed on 5 August 1973 by His Eminence Peter Cardinal McKeefry.
It replaced the original St Martin de Tours Church which was built in 1911.
Further reading: The First 100 Years: Catholic Faith on the Taranaki Coast (TRCT282.93488).
Related documents:
$85,000 church at Pungarehu (Taranaki Herald 12 July 1973)
She'll be at the church on time (Daily News 1 August 1973)
New Pungarehu Church (Daily News 6 August 1973)
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