The Futuna Village complex of 66 townhouses was built in the shadow of the Chapel of Futuna.

The Society of Mary's Karori Centre was formed in 1948 by converting an Edwardian villa previously owned by Sidney Kirkcaldie of Kirkcaldie & Stains Ltd.

In 1958 Hawke's Bay architect John Scott was approached to design the Futuna Retreat Chapel. The Chapel to be a retreat centre, not a monastic enclosure, open to all, of any faith, who had aspirations to a deeper meaning in their life, a place for silence and inner renewal.

The Chapel was built in 1961 by the brothers themselves, the only sub-contractor was an electrician.

The Chapel of Futuna is regarded as one of New Zealand's finest architectual experiences. It has been decribed as "an extraordinary fusion of modernism and Maori architecture".

Futuna Chapel opened in 1961 and immediately became a talking point among architects and a mecca for aspiring members of the profession.

In the years since, this little private building, hidden away in a Wellington suburb, has become generally regarded as an architectural masterpiece and perhaps the most complete example of a true modern "indigenous" New Zealand design.

Friends of Futuna

In 2000, the Society of Mary had no further use for the Futuna Retreat and sold it to developers. While the 66 residential properties now forming Futuna Village were being built, the chapel itself was used to store materials. While tarnished, most of the fixtures and fittings remain in good condition - only Jim Allen's magnificent Jesus figure has disappeared.

Concern about the building's future came from many quarters, but not until the Friends of Futuna Charitable Trust was formed and negotiations with the developers began in earnest, was it possible to say that this valuable part of our culture was almost safe.

Agreement was reached between the Friends of Futuna Charitable Trust and Futuna Ltd. for the sale of the Chapel, and the parcel of land that it sits on, to the Trust.

The Trust's main task now is to raise the capital required to restore the building and ensure its future care and operation of the building.

For more information on the Trust please go to; Futuna Charitable Trust Website