There were more tears as the few items saved from the church were carried out. Charred wooden boxes containing church linen, first used by Bishop Octavius Hadfield last century were among them.
The remnant of an altar cloth given by Queen Victoria was destroyed. The altar cloth that had been in use was also destroyed. It was designed by Inia Te Wiata, internationally acclaimed opera singer and a noted carver who grew up in Otaki and whose ashes are buried in the church cemetery.
It is understood priceless records of births, deaths and marriages were in a safe and have been saved.
Some of the older records are believed to be on microfilm at the National Library.
A large block of greenstone was removed.
A replica of the Tainui canoe considered by the Ngati Raukawa to be a tribal taonga had been removed from the church just last week and was to be returned today. It was taken to the nearby Raukawa Marae last week for a hui and is still there.
Firefighter Ian King said the fire had been going about 30 minutes before a security guard smelled smoke and alerted the brigade.
Mr King, an Otaki resident of 40 years who lives a few hundred metres from the church, said local Maori were devastated by the destruction of the church.
By the time firefighters arrived the building was well alight, he said. “It was horrific. You couldn't get close to it, the heat was so intense.”
The church had been closed for restoration for 14 months until early this year. It was in regular use for church services and other gatherings. There was a funeral at the church yesterday and a wedding was supposed to be held there today. It was now to take place at All Saints.
Resident Fred MacDonald was one of the first at the scene. As he approached he thought it was the nearby Maori University on fire but then turned the corner and saw the church ablaze.
Mr MacDonald said his heart sank when he realised what was happening. He could not get near the fire but flicked the lids off fire hydrants ready for firefighters.
He said it was "a shocking sight".
The building was insured but it is not known for how much.