"It has been well said that unless someone responds to an idea or vision and takes the responsibility to make it live, then no matter how potentially brilliant or helpful it may have been, it will die."
Living Waters
In choosing the name Te Waiora, the Trustees chose the verse from Matthew 11:28 - Jesus said "Come to Me all who are weighed down and I will refresh you" as it best fits the aim of the Trust and the Centre.
In choosing the name Te Waiora, the Trustees chose the verse from Matthew 11:28 - Jesus said "Come to Me all who are weighed down and I will refresh you" as it best fits the aim of the Trust and the Centre.
The Te Waiora Christian Centre was founded as a direct result of a Christchurch woman's response to a vision. Patricia Entwistle and her husband, Stewart, were working with the Church Missionary Society in Pakistan when Patricia contracted the disease, brucellosis. Because of her continuing illness the Entwistles had to return to New Zealand in 1983, where Patricia was to remain unwell for over two years. During this period she felt the need for time to reassess herself emotionally and spiritually, as well as giving the teenage family and her husband a break from the pressure of her prolonged ill health.
One of the initial aims was to -
provide a peaceful and quiet place to which people may come, of whatever religion, denomination or occupation, away from the stress and strain of daily life, to rest and to seek physical, emotional and spiritual renewal.
Our desire is for all who stay at Te Waiora to feel loved and cared for; to enjoy being pampered;
to experience the peaceful countryside, the beauty of the garden and the mountains - and to leave feeling rested and refreshed.
provide a peaceful and quiet place to which people may come, of whatever religion, denomination or occupation, away from the stress and strain of daily life, to rest and to seek physical, emotional and spiritual renewal.
Our desire is for all who stay at Te Waiora to feel loved and cared for; to enjoy being pampered;
to experience the peaceful countryside, the beauty of the garden and the mountains - and to leave feeling rested and refreshed.
A Home is Found
At that time the Trust became aware of the availability of a Vicarage on 4.4 hectares of land at Hororata, 40kms west from Christchurch. The Vestry of the Anglican Parish of St. John's, Hororata, wished to sell the property prior to building a new Vicarage. A public appeal for funds was launched from Bishop's House on the 5th March, 1985, to which representatives of churches and the news media were invited.
By 31st March when the option was to expire, close on $20,000 had been received, sufficient to put a deposit on the property. Generous bridging finance was made available by the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch. The following months were busy as the fund raising continued.
The property was officially taken over by the Trust at the beginning of November 1985, when the new Vicarage was completed. On the first Sunday in November there was held the first of what would become an Annual Thanksgiving service. In spite of atrocious weather approximately 130 attended, coming from Christchurch as well as the local district.
At that time the Trust became aware of the availability of a Vicarage on 4.4 hectares of land at Hororata, 40kms west from Christchurch. The Vestry of the Anglican Parish of St. John's, Hororata, wished to sell the property prior to building a new Vicarage. A public appeal for funds was launched from Bishop's House on the 5th March, 1985, to which representatives of churches and the news media were invited.
By 31st March when the option was to expire, close on $20,000 had been received, sufficient to put a deposit on the property. Generous bridging finance was made available by the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch. The following months were busy as the fund raising continued.
The property was officially taken over by the Trust at the beginning of November 1985, when the new Vicarage was completed. On the first Sunday in November there was held the first of what would become an Annual Thanksgiving service. In spite of atrocious weather approximately 130 attended, coming from Christchurch as well as the local district.
Vision Realised
On Sunday 9th March 1986 over 200 people were in the grounds for the dedication of the Centre by the Patron of the Trust, the Rt.Rev. Mauricee J. Goodall, Bishop of Christchurch. In a very simple service the Bishop was assisted by the Rev. R.B.Allen, Chairman of the Trust, Rev.R.Maslin, Moderator of the Christchurch Presbytery, Patricia Entwistle, Elizabeth Smith and Dr.David Troughton, Trustees.
On Sunday 9th March 1986 over 200 people were in the grounds for the dedication of the Centre by the Patron of the Trust, the Rt.Rev. Mauricee J. Goodall, Bishop of Christchurch. In a very simple service the Bishop was assisted by the Rev. R.B.Allen, Chairman of the Trust, Rev.R.Maslin, Moderator of the Christchurch Presbytery, Patricia Entwistle, Elizabeth Smith and Dr.David Troughton, Trustees.
Wider Family
From the beginning the Trustees were greatly encouraged by the support received from the general public, with donations and gifts being received on a regular basis. The formation of "Friends of Te Waiora" has created a support base on which so much of the ministry is dependent.
When the Trustees launched the appeal for funds to purchase the property, members of the media were invited. The representative from TVNZ was most impressed with the concept, and indicated that at an appropriate time he would like to do a small feature. This was done in August 1986, and created a great deal of interest, and from it came many enquiries
From the beginning the Trustees were greatly encouraged by the support received from the general public, with donations and gifts being received on a regular basis. The formation of "Friends of Te Waiora" has created a support base on which so much of the ministry is dependent.
When the Trustees launched the appeal for funds to purchase the property, members of the media were invited. The representative from TVNZ was most impressed with the concept, and indicated that at an appropriate time he would like to do a small feature. This was done in August 1986, and created a great deal of interest, and from it came many enquiries
All who are associated with the Centre are committed to providing, within this troubled and hurting world, a place for rest and renewal for the whole person, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Their hope is that the "love of God as expressed in Jesus Christ" may be seen through loving and caring attention for all who come to stay.
Te Waiora - In The Beginning .....
2010 Trustees
Lois Patrick (Chair)
Lorraine Adams
Mary Broughton
Bev Elder
John Barclay
Graham Button
Ross Elliott
Mervyn Feutz
Lois Patrick (Chair)
Lorraine Adams
Mary Broughton
Bev Elder
John Barclay
Graham Button
Ross Elliott
Mervyn Feutz
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Te Waiora in its early days as the Vicarage for St.John's Church, Hororata
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She also realised that if she was feeling this way there must be many others, women and men, who would need "time out” to be restored physically, mentally and spiritually. Her first thought was to establish a Christian Guest House, but it was while she was at Titoki Healing Centre in the North Island of New Zealand and after discussion with the Chaplain, the Rev. Don Ferguson, that her vision was affirmed of a centre and community where there was a ministry to the whole person.
On her return home Patricia was led of the Lord to share her vision with Mrs. Gladys Childs, Dr. David Troughton and Miss Elizabeth Smith. Following these discussions and a meeting with the then Bishop of Christchurch, the Rt. Rev. Maurice J. Goodall, an inaugural public meeting was held on the 11th September, 1984, from which a working committee was formed. The Te Waiora (Canterbury) Healing Centre Trust was registered in December 1984. A number of Christian men and women also agreed to be advisors to the Trust.
On her return home Patricia was led of the Lord to share her vision with Mrs. Gladys Childs, Dr. David Troughton and Miss Elizabeth Smith. Following these discussions and a meeting with the then Bishop of Christchurch, the Rt. Rev. Maurice J. Goodall, an inaugural public meeting was held on the 11th September, 1984, from which a working committee was formed. The Te Waiora (Canterbury) Healing Centre Trust was registered in December 1984. A number of Christian men and women also agreed to be advisors to the Trust.
Patricia and Stewart Entwistle
taken in the mid 80's
taken in the mid 80's
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We've come a long way since the Te Waiora House was built in 1909
These notes are taken from
a booklet produced in 1989, outlining the history of
Te Waiora House.
a booklet produced in 1989, outlining the history of
Te Waiora House.