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Behind the Gothic facade of
Nazareth House,
New Zealand
were the impressive stairways,
long corridors,
former classrooms,
dozens of dormitories.
The first three stages of construction
was completed in 1908
and used by the Sisters of Nazareth
as an orphanage
for unwanted parent less babies
and children
A refuge for homeless people,
the elderly,
ladies and men.
Much of the interior was spartan
and sunless
and belied the lively facade
which faced
Brougham Street.
Long ago declared impracticable
and beyond maintenance
as a home
for the elderly people
and children.
The building is now being demolished.
Most of the building's materials,
including the bricks, slats, stones, ironwork
and interior fittings,
are being salvaged by demolishers
for sale
and also some to be used for the new
Nazareth House
which will be used for the elderly
Men and women
also for the
retired priest and nuns.
It
is also used for a refuge
for the priest and nuns
who sexual abused and abused
children who were living in their care
years ago.
The new building was completed in 1987
and is at the rear of the
Brougham Street section.
The Chapel, at the west end of
the old building,
is being retained
and it still looks the same as above.
The
pictures of the basins and the dormitories
were
on the 2nd floor
and
you do not need to look hard
to see
that
not one toy or doll
is on
our beds.
It is
because we had none.
No little
Teddy to hug at night
to ease my
pain.
No pretty
doll to dress up
or to
kiss her good night.
No motherly
love to put me to bed
and
talk me to sleep.
No kind
words said to me at night time
to show
they cared.
No warm
hand for me to hold
to show
me the way.
No love
was there ever in Nazareth House
because
the nuns did not care
for
the little girl
who
did not know how to love
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