Masterton Host Waipoua Lions Club members George Norris, left, and Ross Bonnett, right, with Wairarapa Hospital chaplain Lizzie Snowsill. PHOTO/RENE CLOUGH
Many years ago, during the relocation of the chapel at the Wairarapa Hospital, the existing stained-glass doors went missing and were believed to have been taken away and mistakenly burned.
By chance, several years ago the doors were discovered in the attic of one of the hospitals administration buildings and were moved and safely stored in a side room of the now relocated hospital chapel.
Masterton Host Waipoua Lions Club members George Norris and Ross Bonnett learned of the doors existence and offered to restore them as a gift from Lions.
While the wood was not able to be restored, the stained glass was.
The Lions Club refitted the stained glass to some modified and freshly painted new doors and have recently installed the doors to their rightful home making the chapel entrance a pleasure to enter.
The Masterton Host Waipoua Lions Club have been involved in many such projects at the hospital and are thrilled when the public get to see and appreciate such delights as the chapel doors.
Too many items go missing these days… its high time items as valuable as windows are kept safely out of harms way… I would not be at all surprised to hear they are hidden away somewhere, let us hope that anyway.. I have been on the hunt for certain items in Carterton off late.. Look for example in Wellington, they found the precious Doulton Tiles, childrens nursery ones in an old shed, they were priceless, done the research on them, made in Doulton whilst still in Norwood… my advice, check sheds around the property…. as for Doulton Tiles.. GSH had some and sold them at auction, Great Ormond Street Hospital plus other hospitals in London, but New Zealand we still have them… Keep searching please!!!