St Marks Chapel, RNZAF Base Ohakea
Reason for the name
St Marks is the chapel for RNZAF Base Ohakea. It was the old St Mary of the Angels Church of Bulls. It was originally built around 1873. In 1989 it was moved to Ohakea and became the base chapel.
The Chapel is the old St Mary of the Angels Church of Bulls. It was originally built around 1873, extended in 1952 and ceased to be used as a church on 5 March 1971 when the current church was completed and dedicated. For many years it was the church hall, CCD classrooms and the storage area for the Bulls Opportunity Shop.
The need for a special chapel building at Ohakea coincided with the availability of the old church at the nearby town of Bulls.
In 1941 the Air Board agreed to the building of chapels providing that they were interdenominational, and the cost was borne by the New Zealand Patriotic Fund.
Though chapels were built at Whenuapai, Hobsonville, Harewood, Wigram, Levin and Woodbourne, none was provided at Ohakea.
Throughout WWII Ohakea used the YMCA Reading Room in A Block as a chapel. During the 1950s the Chapel occupied a leg of Barrack Block K.
The Search
When Group Captain Rick Bulger came as Base Commander, he took one look a chapel facility and said, 'My God, do people actually get married in this?. As it was thought most unlikely that a chapel would be built, a suitable disused building was sought. A chapel hunt began. The search for a chapel also coincided with the expansion of the Works Flight (now Facilities Management) and the establishment a second chaplain. Office space was at a premium and it was thought that the space occupied by the chapel could be turned into office accommodation.
Establishment of a Chapel
The old St Mary's Roman Catholic Church at Bulls was identified as being suitable. After negotiations with the parish priest (Fr Jim Rickard), the building was purchased and moved onto site in June 1989.
Following extensive refurbishment, it was rededicated by Chaplain (Wing Commander) D.W. Hall (Principal Chaplain (Air)) as the Memorial Chapel of St Mark on 1 September 1989.
The Chaplains
The role of the chaplain is to represent the Church in the military and be its spokesperson within that environment.
To provide religious and pastoral ministrations to whoever will receive them.
To enable that function to be fulfilled, the Chaplain is a member of the RNZAF while remaining an ordained minister of the Church. The Chaplain wears uniform and relative officer rank, but exercises no command of authority. The Chaplain is expected to be impartial and friend to all whether officer or airman.
The Features of the Chapel
There are many notable items in the chapel, those and their history are included in the PDF file
This story highlights the Memorial Windows.
The Memorial Window (see Gallery)
Designer
The Memorial Window was designed and made by June Gillies of Levin. It was possible by donations from many sources including contractors, business houses and private individuals. The window was dedicated at a special service on 24 April 1981 by Chaplain (Group Captain) JE Scutter, AKC QHC (Principal Defence Chaplain).
Symbolism
The window is a memorial to those who served and who died, while in the ranks of the RNZAF. The symbolism used in the window reflects the history and activities originating from Ohakea and the squadrons based here. The dominance of blue symbolises the sky (the domain of the pilot) and the sea (the barrier the RNZAF must protect and continually cross).
The Cross
The window is dominated by the Cross, a symbol of God's love, the cost of our salvation and a sign of the hope of resurrection. The Cross has a red centre to symbolise sacrifice and the cost of our heritage. This links up with the medals of valour symbolised by the ribbons for DFC/DFM and AFC/AFM and the quote from St John's gospel, Chapter 15, Verse 13:
"Greater love hath no man that this, that a many lay down his life for his friends."
Authors: RNZAF Chaplains and Poppy Places Trust
References: St-Marks-Chapel-Ohakea-Landscape-layout2.pdf
