Gloriavale Christian Community

Uncommon card · No. 114106

The Gloriavale Christian Community is a small and isolated community located at Haupiri on the West Coast of the South Island in New Zealand. It had a recorded population of roughly 468 as of the 2023 census. It has operated on a property owned by the registered charitable Christian Church Community Trust since 1991. Gloriavale was founded in 1969 by travelling evangelist Neville Cooper ("Hopeful Christian"). Originating as the Springbank Christian Community, the group established a settlement called Gloriavale in the South Island's West Coast Region during the 1990s. Gloriavale Christian Community became self-sufficient with its own school and various agricultural, tourism, and transportation businesses including a short-lived airline called Air West Coast. Cooper served as leader (known as "Overseeing Shepherd"). Following his 1995 conviction on three counts of indecent assault and subsequent prison sentence, he remained as leader until his death in 2018. He was succeeded by Howard Temple...

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