West Harbour Congregational and Missionary Church

In 1977, a seed of faith was planted. The First Alliance Church, now known as Blockhouse Bay Community Church, sent out Rev. Royce and Betty Rexilius. Their mission was to establish a new church in West Harbour. Initially, a small group gathered in the home of Linda and Melvin Alexander. They later moved to the staff room of Royal Road School. On September 13, 1979, twenty-one people became founding members of the West Harbour Congregational and Missionary Church. The young church quickly acquired land at the corner of Moire and Luckens Roads. This location offered a prominent position overlooking the community. Back then, the area was largely undeveloped. Survey pegs marked empty sections, and a deer farm occupied the land across Luckens Road. The church’s vision was to be “a light to the community.” The four original sections of land were combined. A new facility was constructed, largely thanks to the dedicated efforts of volunteers. Under the leadership of “Pastor Rex,” the West Harbour Congregational and Missionary Church thrived. The community embraced the church’s message of love and faith. After ten years of service, Pastor Rex and Betty returned to the USA. Over the years, several pastors have led the West Harbour Congregational and Missionary Church. These include Neil Keating, Frank Marshall, Barry Charlton, Matthew Mordaunt, Brian Thom, and Gordon Miller. Numerous lay people have also contributed their time and energy. Their shared goal has been to keep the church’s light shining brightly. The church remains committed to serving the community, prayer, and supporting global missions. To better connect with the local community, the name was eventually changed to West Harbour Church. However, the church retains its strong ties with the Alliance Churches of New Zealand. Today, the West Harbour Church stands as a testament to the vision and dedication of its founders. It continues to serve as a beacon of faith in the West Harbour community.