History On Pompallier House
Pompallier house is the nineteenth century building located in Russell NZ which once served as the headquarters to the french catholic mission to the western pacific.It is named after Jean Baptiste Pompallier,the first vicar apostolic to visit NZ,who founded a number of missions in the north island.Pompallier house is owned and managed by Heritage NZ,who opened it to public.It is NZ’s oldest roman catholic building,oldest industrial building.
Why was it built and when?
The pompallier house was built on 1842,Pompallier mission originally housed a printery where church texts were translated from latin to Te Reo Maori,then printed and bond.It is just one several buildings,including a chapel and various outhouses,which once stood in this crowded enclave.
Who built it?
Pompallier house 1970s (1st of 2)
In 1839 French catholic bishop Jean Baptiste Pompallier established a mission at Kororareka,where a two storied building,housing a printery,tannery and storehouse,was constructed.
How was it constructed?
The French missioners used rammed earth construction method common in their original home of Lyon.Earth was dug on site and supplemented with sand and rocks by the nearby beaches with the lime made by burning shells.The upper floor was constructed with earth supported by timber frames.
Who was Pompallier?
Bishop Pompallier was born in Lyons ,France in 1801.He was consecrated Bishop with responsibility for western oceania including NZ in 1836.He arrived in NZ in 1838,and by the mid – 1840s had established a number of catholic missions.By 1843 the french missions claimed about 45,000 Maori converts.
What was made there?
Built in 1842,Pompallier Mission originally housed a printery where church texts were translated from Latin to Te Reo Maori,then printed and bound.