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St Catherine's Catholic Church, 629 Fergusson Drive.
History
HistoryInformation taken from a November 6, 2002 'Leader' article.
It was built because Trentham residents had difficulty getting to Upper Hutt. In 1943, Trentham was growing, so the parish decided to set up a 'Trentham Mass Centre'.
First, they rented a shed in Islington Street; it was a mechanic's workshop by day, and had a small lockup on site, where the church equipment was stored. Each Saturday the bench was covered with a sheet, to act as an altar, plant stands and vases were moved in, large holy pictures hung, and a crucifix, candles, and even a carpet for the priest were provided.
The Fergusson Drive site had been the Kearney poultry farm; Mrs Catherine Kearney had been concerned to see young mothers pushing prams to Upper Hutt, and donated the land, requesting that a mass centre be established there. The house was converted, wooden seats were made, and mass was celebrated in 'the Kearney House' for some time.
When one and a half Army huts became available, the house was demolished. The larger hut was sawn in half, lengthwise, using a handsaw, before the move.
The halves were placed four feet (1.2 metres) apart, to give extra width, and the gap floored over. The hut's inner walls were removed.
The extra half hut was placed across the back, and became the hall.
The November 6 article printed a picture of a hut.
Most of the work was done by parishioners, most nights and weekends. Pews were made in Hawkes Bay, and varnished by church ladies.
The transformation took a year, and the church was opened and Blessed by Cardinal McKeefry on November 30, 1958. St Catherine's was chosen as a name to acknowledge Mrs Kearney's gift.
The church was opened debt-free. The huts had cost 250 pounds, transport £600, site clearance £55, and timber and flooring £295.
By 2002, there were churches at Upper Hutt (St Joseph's) and Heretaunga, (Our Lady of Grace), travel was much easier, and St Catherine's was showing its age. The last service had been held by October 23, and the church was offered for sale by tender; one person had shown interest in redeveloping it as a private home.
It was built because Trentham residents had difficulty getting to Upper Hutt. In 1943, Trentham was growing, so the parish decided to set up a 'Trentham Mass Centre'.
First, they rented a shed in Islington Street; it was a mechanic's workshop by day, and had a small lockup on site, where the church equipment was stored. Each Saturday the bench was covered with a sheet, to act as an altar, plant stands and vases were moved in, large holy pictures hung, and a crucifix, candles, and even a carpet for the priest were provided.
The Fergusson Drive site had been the Kearney poultry farm; Mrs Catherine Kearney had been concerned to see young mothers pushing prams to Upper Hutt, and donated the land, requesting that a mass centre be established there. The house was converted, wooden seats were made, and mass was celebrated in 'the Kearney House' for some time.
When one and a half Army huts became available, the house was demolished. The larger hut was sawn in half, lengthwise, using a handsaw, before the move.
The halves were placed four feet (1.2 metres) apart, to give extra width, and the gap floored over. The hut's inner walls were removed.
The extra half hut was placed across the back, and became the hall.
The November 6 article printed a picture of a hut.
Most of the work was done by parishioners, most nights and weekends. Pews were made in Hawkes Bay, and varnished by church ladies.
The transformation took a year, and the church was opened and Blessed by Cardinal McKeefry on November 30, 1958. St Catherine's was chosen as a name to acknowledge Mrs Kearney's gift.
The church was opened debt-free. The huts had cost 250 pounds, transport £600, site clearance £55, and timber and flooring £295.
By 2002, there were churches at Upper Hutt (St Joseph's) and Heretaunga, (Our Lady of Grace), travel was much easier, and St Catherine's was showing its age. The last service had been held by October 23, and the church was offered for sale by tender; one person had shown interest in redeveloping it as a private home.
Photos
Location
Coordinates[1] The church site
Details
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St Catherine's Catholic Church, 629 Fergusson Drive.. Upper Hutt City Library, accessed 04/04/2026, https://uhcl.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/25326