from ashes
glass fragments were found
remember
This small stained glass window captures your attention at the entry of Waipu Cathedral in Napier New Zealand. The work of art was constructed of stained glass fragments collected by parishioners after the devastating 1931 earthquake. The cathedral was destroyed and so were most of the original large stained glass windows. While we were staying in Napier recently Jill felt 2 tremors, just more of the 250 plus tremors after the latest big quake struck Kaikoura on the East coast of the South Island in early November seriously impacting on the people and infrastructure of that region. New Zealand lies right along part of the Pacific Rim of Fire with earthquakes and volcanic activity being a constant reminder to the brave people who live there.
Amazing story. The pictures made me want to linger over them. The haiku is thought provoking and takes me back to churches I would visit.
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Thanks Annette, great to hear your interest.
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We have a lot of these fragmented windows here, usually because of Cromwell’s troops or Hitlers bombs. They tell a poignant tale.
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Interesting fact Sue, I wonder if the people of Napier knew of this happening in England pre 1932
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It’s a beautiful sentimental piece of art.
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It is Joyce. Maybe you can check NZ out next, its only 3 hours from Queensland and cheap backpackers everywhere.
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Will love to visit NZ 😍 I must learn to do that infamous All Black haka 😀 and the Lord of the Rings hike.
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You go to Rotorua for both of those.
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A beautiful haiku that captures the story behind the windows. I love how these windows show a deeper meaning and beauty in their new format.
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Thanks Xenia, it is a small but very moving memorial.
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Your haiku really drew me in to your photos and story. I have never seen reconstructions like that and they are moving monuments to memory and survival. The residents are brave living in an earthquake zone…it occurred to me that you and Judith were brave to visit 🙂
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Thanks Janice.
We had booked the holiday and were not going to pull out. We had originally planned to visit earlier and would have been in Wellington when the earthquake struck.
Apparently there are similar reconstructed windows in some English churches after WW2
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Your postponement was fortunate and I can understand not wanting to pull out..I travelled by plane (for a holiday and wedding) two days after 911 and felt nervous about it.
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That would have taken a lot of courage Janice, this time was the first time I have been relaxed flying since 911
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Courage or stubborn desperation to follow through on plans and commitments 🙂
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Ok, but a bit of courage too.
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There is so much beautiful detail in the pieces collected. What an interesting idea to put them together like this. 🙂
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It is a small window but very moving at first sight then more so when one reads the story of its creation.
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Such a deeply significant haiku.
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Thanks Magarisa, this is certainly a very moving reminder of a terrible event in New Zealand’s history.
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Great story. Thank you dear Denis. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, Love, nia
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Thanks Nia. I have missed your images and will be back into serious blogging soon. Merry Christmas and stay strong.
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