Converted - When is a church not a church?
Three buildings in Motueka district still look like churches. But they are not. They have been converted. Their stories - like all the stories of our area - relate to local need, emerging local progress and, above all else, local population changes.
The Presbyterian Church Riwaka dates from 1865. Early this century it became luxury accommodation and more recently a Beauty Therapist's.
The Roman Catholic Church of St Peter Chanel at the top of the High Street was built in 1917. Used by IHC for several years, it has now become the Chanel Arts Centre: home to the Motueka Music Group and venue for local Arts.
The Methodist Church, in the town centre since 1873, was vacated when the Methodists united with the Presbyterians in the 1970s: it became a restaurant - the Gothic Gourmet. It is now the Gothic Bar & Restaurant.
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