St Gabriel's was one of the largest and most expensive of the new churches in the Hokianga to be built by 1900. Today, it remains as one of the earliest churches still on its original site and is definitely a Hokianga destination worth making, as it sits on a promontory in clear sight for miles before reaching it.
Its short-comings of limited accommodation, poor indoor-outdoor flow and generally poorly executed past alterations were successfully addressed in the re-design carried out by Salmond Reed Architects.
Exterior improvements included reinstatement of the front verandah, new entrance gable and steps, additions to rear, dining pavilion, double garaging, fences and entry lych gate.
Interior improvements included interior re-planning, retention of existing pressed metal ceilings and period fireplaces, new central stair and kitchen and bathroom updates.
