Ashburton Courier: July 11, 2024

THE
geraldinenews
NGĀPŪKŌRERO OTEWIKI KI RAUKĀPUKA|EST. 1992
THURSDAY, 11JULY 2024 |16,000+ copies distributed with the Ashburton Courier
view online at gnews.co.nz
The only photographs of Sister Constance Eveleen to have been discovered. With help from the Geraldine community, researcher Michael Earle hopes to find more. PHOTOS: Supplied
BELOW: Stain glass windows in the chapel Sister Eveleen added to the retreat house. PHOTOS: Supplied
Looking for Sister Eveleen
In alettertothe editor this week,Michael Earle
of Christchurch writes:“Greetings,Iam researching
thelifeand family background of Sister (Constance)
Eveleen Barklie, whosefamilysettled in Geraldine
from Northern Irelandin1898. Herfather, Rev
John Knox Barklie, previously vicar inMoira,
County Down, was the Assistant Priest inSt
Mary’s Anglican Church in Geraldineuntil 1910.
He died in 1917 andisburiedinthe localcemetery
with hiswife.
“Born in1871 and the eldest oftheir five
children, Eveleen became an Anglican Sister
with the Community of the Sacred Name in
Christchurch. Onher death in1939, Sister
Eveleen bequeathed herhomeonScarborough
Hill as an ecumenical retreat house to the
Anglican DioceseofChristchurch, knownnow
as the Sister Eveleen Retreat House. Little is
known abouther,hence my interest in researching
herstory forafuturepublication.
Herbrother AlfredPercy Barkliewas asolicitor
to theGeraldine BoroughCouncil andapartner
in thetown’slegal firm of Smithson,Raymond
and Barklie until hedied in1939. Her sister
married Dr John ShawHayes,asurgeonfrom
Temuka whoretired to hispropertyatKakahu
untilhis deathin1910. Anothersistermarried
GeorgeRaymond,abarrister andcrown prosecutor
from Timaru.The youngest sister,Ethel Louisa
Barklie, nevermarried anddiedin1961.”
GNews didalittledigging and, indeed,could
findnoimagesofSisterEveleen online.However,
the Sister Eveleen Retreat House website and
the28DaysLater.co.uk discussion forumreveal
alittlemoreofher life.Eveleen hadbeen awellknownviolinist
in England, studying musicin
Rome andDublinbeforemovingtoNew Zealand
with her family. She joined the Community of
the Sacred Name but, around the time of her
father’s death, wasdiagnosed with tuberculosis.
Doctorsadvised hertoleave thecityinfavour
of thecoast.Itwas acommonbeliefinthe 1900s
that seaair wasthe best treatmentfor respiratory
diseases.
Afterreceiving herdiagnosis,Eveleen travelled
to England toseek medical help inthe early
1920s. She left convent life but resolved to
continue her vocation. On her return toNew
Zealand, shemoved into theScarborough Hill
house, which was owned by her sister atthat
time.Eveleen hadakeen interest in theretreat
movement at the time because it was thought
to refreshthe spirit.
Thewhitewashed house, whichwas,and still
is,accessedbyawindingpath, sits high above
the coastal suburb of Sumner. The property,
surroundedbyflowers,looksout over thecity,
and onstormy nights, waves can be heard
crashing on therocks below. Aftermovinginto
thehouse,Eveleen addedasmallwood-panelled
chapel andstained glasswindows to thebuilding.
Once it wascompleted,she conductedretreats
and Sunday School and held services for the
localcommunity.
Michaelwrites, “Ifany of your readersknew
thefamilyortheir descendants, Iwould be most
grateful if they couldsendmeany information
or pictures to michaelearle88@gmail.com to
help fill in thegapsfor apublication aboutthis
little-knownyet significantGeraldine family.”
FI MCCAFFERTY