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'South Canterbury's small churches are unique as they are beautiful' 

The Church of the Good Shepherd. Lake Tekapo.

When we build let us think that we build forever.  Let it not be for the present delight, nor for the present use alone; let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for and let us think, as we lay stone on stone, that a time will come when those stones will be held sacred because our hands have touch them, and that men will say as they look upon the labour and wrought substance of them, "See, this our fathers did for us". John Raskin, AR State Capitol, 1899-1915 

'The ten South Canterbury [Anglican] parishes each happily processes a church of unusual interest, some privately built and endowed, others through the united endeavours of responsible and faithful congregations' wrote Gillespie in 1952. Unfortunately there is a need to keep many of the church doors locked.  Many churches have memorial plaques, honour boards, fine stain glass windows, beautiful wood carving and fonts. The most notable churches in South Canterbury are St Mary's in Esk Valley, The Church of the Holy Innocents at Mt. Peel Station, the Church of the Good Shepherd at Tekapo, St David's behind Cave and the Church of St. Thomas at Woodbury. The Presbyterian Churches in South Canterbury do not contain any ninetieth century stained glass windows.

Banks St. Methodist | Chalmers | St John's, Timaru | St Mary's | Sacred Heart | Church records |
Raincliff | St Anne's | Waimate | Burkes Pass | St Columba  | St Stephen | St Stephens,
Holy Trinity, Orari

Stop and take a closer look at a church. Plan your visit first thing in the morning to catch the light shining through the stained glass windows. Stand in the porch and note the carving on the doors, a hint of things to come. Inside, wait for a minute until your eyes adjust then look at the whole interior. Look out for a self guiding tour pamphlet or a volunteer or a note on the porch covering the history of the church.  Let your eyes travel up the pillars to the arches, the high rafted roof and windows.  Set a plan and walk around reading the memorials below the windows and on the floor. Move down towards the pulpit and note the wood carving and stand and look back along the nave and lift your eyes to the west window, the Rose Window.  Visit the chancel and note the organ.  Study the wood carving on the alter. Visit the chapel and walk back along the aisle. Sources of historical information and church registrars may be obtained from the Parish Office. If there is a bell tower climb it! Check Saturday's Timaru Herald for times for services.

St. Mary's, Timaru and Archdeacon Harper.

Who was responsible for these wonderful designs? 
 Hall, Hope and Harper's
Parsons, parishes, parishioners, publicans,
the children of the pioneers 
and landed gentry.

Geraldine's Churches. Behind the windows and woodcarvings of the Geraldine district's five historic churches are a wealth of fascinating stories. In October 2001 their the doors at Geraldine district's five historic churches were opened to the public and featured tours of the churches at Mt Peel, Peel Forest, Woodbury, Geraldine and Pleasant Valley. The day was called Treasures in Glass and Wood. Proceeds from the event went towards the Anglican Parish of Geraldine and the Geraldine Swimming Pool Fund.

Albury
Temuka's Churches
Waimate Churches

Anglicans planted a church building in every small village.

Peel Forest - 22km north of Geraldine, west of Arundel. Both churches have beautiful windows in beautiful settings.St. Stephen's Church is registered as category 2. Historic place of historical or cultural heritage significance or value.

        The Church of the Holy Innocents at Mount Peel Station

        St. Stephen's Church Peel Forest village.

Woodbury

        St Thomas

Woodbury is 8.5 km north west of Geraldine on the way to the Waihi Gorge, a public reserve, beside Waihi River, Waihi Gorge Rd, 14km NW of Geraldine, 5km W. Woodbury, which is an additional 5.5 km on a gravel road, a spot where many Sunday School picnics have been held here over the last century. 

Pleasant Point 

St Paul's Church Totara Valley sits on hill.
St Mary's Roman Catholic Church on the main road through town near the railway museum.
St John's Presbyterian Church. 

The Presbyterian Church at Pleasant Point is prettily placed on an eminence overlooking the township. Occasionally services were held in the district as early as 1865 and the church was built ten years later. The congregation was made a separate charge in 1879. The church is of wood, with a shingle roof, and has seating accommodation for 120 persons. A Sunday school consisting of 70 children and nine teachers, meets in the building. The minister in charge holds services in Totara Valley in a pretty little church, and in the schoolhouses at Cannington and Cave, and also at Kakahu Bush and Waitohi. The manse, which was erected in 1881, and was considerable enlarged in 1892, is a short distance away from the church and stands on a glebe of 5 acres. Reference: Cyclopedia of New Zealand, Canterbury edition. 1903     

Timaru Herald Friday 26 November 1875 page 3
Presbyterian Church, Pleasant Point. The new church at Pleasant Point, was opened for divine service last Sunday. The Rev. George Barclay, the minister of the parish, conducted the service in the morning and the Rev. William Gillies, of Timaru, in the evening. On Tuesday evening a soiree was held, chairman was Rev. Barclay, on the platform, Rev. Mr Gillies assisted by Messrs Stewart and Acton, Revs. Preston and Bonds absence. Mr Sharland posed a vote of thanks to the Ladies and Mr Bilton and the choir thanked by Mr Opie Mr Bilton presided at the harmonium. The architect has been Mr Frank Wilson, of this town. The cost of the building is about 400, one hundred of which has yet to be met by the committee. The little church is capable of accommodating 180 persons, is pleasantly situated on the brow of a hill, near to Mr Gammie's residence.

New Zealand Tablet, 1 February 1889, Page 29
January 21, 1889 Laying Foundation Stone of New Church at Peasant Point . The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of St: Mary's Church at Pleasant Point, was performed by the Right Rev. Dr. Grimes, Bishop of Christchurch, on Sunday, December 30th, with great pomp. The day was beautifully fine, and everything seemed to favour success His Lordship, accompanied by his chaplain, the Rev. Father Briand, and the Rev. Father Fauvel, left Temuka at about 2 o'clock, and reached Pleasant Point at 3. As they hove in sight the same scene resented itself as was witnessed at Temuka about ten years ago — flags flying, etc. The rev. party proceeded to a private house which had been kindly placed at their disposal by Mr. T. Geaney, where they were joined by the Rev. Fathers Foley and Brown, of Timaru, and Bowers, of Geraldine. Shortly after 3 o'clock the special train from Timaru arrived bringing with it & large number of people, which increased the number to about 3000. After the Bishop and priests had robed a procession was formed, headed by the Rev. Fathers Fauvel and Briand, Dr. Grimes in his pontifical robes, attended by the other priests, coming next, with a large number of children following, the general public bringing up the rear. High poles were planted all round the church, and ropes by which they were held together. At the top flags of all kinds floated in the breeze. At the front of the building a carpeted platform was erected, which was canopied over, and made to represent a Bishop's throne, whilst a flag bearing the Pope's tiara and the cross keys swayed to the gentle breeze over it. The concrete foundations were down, and at the south-west end the foundation stone was in a position for laying. After the ceremony of laying the stone, for which purpose His Lordship was presented with a handsome trowel by the contractor, Mr. James Delaney, of Timaru, and the consecration of the church to the Blessed Virgin Mary, his Lordship and the priests ascended the platform, and from this Dr. Grimes delivered one of the finest discourses ever beard in the colony, taking for his text, " Behold, I will lay a stone in the foundation of Zion," etc., Isaiah xxxiii, 16. I could not do justice by giving a portion of it, so I must be content with saying that all were delighted at it. His Lordship created a favourable impression of our Protestant friends, and I am sure, on this occasion, the Church was honoured through him. His talent is already well known, therefore, encomium from me is unnecessary. At the conclusion of the sermon Dr. Grimes, as Father Fauvel's Bishop, paid a high tribute to our good pastor, and thanked him for the zealous manner in which he baa laboured since his arrival in the parish, remarking that what Father Fauvel had done bore testimony to his zeal. He thanked the people who had liberally contributed to the funds, and those who had given  the land on which the church is being erected. After his Lordship had given the customary blessing, a collection was made with the result that £83 14s was banded in. In a bottle under the stone was placed a Temuka Leader, and a sheet of the Tablet, and also a document in Latin, the translation of which is "On the 30th day of December, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and eighty eight - Leo XIII being Sovereign Pontiff, her Majesty Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and Empress of India, Sir William D. Jervious, Governor of New Zealand, and the Rev. L. Fauvel, S.M., rector of St. Joseph's parish, Temuka, this stone was laid by the Most Reverend and Illustrious Prelate John Joseph Grimes, SW, Bishop of Christchurch, in the presence of a large assemblage of people."

Otago Witness, 14 April 1892, Page 18
The induction of the Rev. Joseph White to the pastorate of the Presbyterian Church, Pleasant Point, South Canterbury, took place, under the happiest circumstances, on the 5th. The church was well filled to the induction service in the afternoon. The Rev. J. Clarke, of Fairlie Creek, preached and inducted the new minister, and the Revs. J. M'Kee and A. B. Todd addressed the minister and congregation respectively. A crowded soiree was held in the assembly rooms in the evening, at which addresses were delivered by all the ministers of the Timaru Presbytery, the Rev. Jaspar Smythe (Episcopalian, who has cordially cooperated with Presbyterians), and Mr S. Buxton, of Totara. The choir of Trinity Church, Timaru, supplied an excellent musical service.

The Anglican Church of St. Alban at Pleasant Point is constructed mostly of concrete, and was erected about the end of the 70's. It has accommodation for about 80 worshippers, and services are held regularly, morning and evening, every Sunday. The Sunday school of 20 scholars is in the charge of three teachers. Reference: Cyclopedia of New Zealand, Canterbury edition. 1903    

St. Aidan, Kakahu, a beautiful little church nicely situated on the bank of a river, was built on 1907.

The Cure of Te Ngawai-with Fairlie extends from Washdyke to Mount Cook, a distance of 140 miles, and was constituted in 1891. It includes the settlements of Fairlie, Pleasant Point and Burke's Pass, among others. The vicarage is situated on Tengawai Road, Pleasant Point. There is a glebe of ten acres and there is also a small endowment of thirteen acres for the church. Services are held in outlying places, inclusive of Hazelburn, Albury, and Opihi, in school buildings, and also at Fairlie, Silverstream and Burkes Pass. Reference: Cyclopedia of New Zealand, Canterbury edition. 1903

(There is no mention of there being a Catholic Church in Pleasant Point in 1903 but interestingly, there was this school at Kerrytown, just three miles from the Point.) (There were at this time accommodation for 200 students at Pleasant Point Public School, average attendance 166 with three staff and two pupil teachers.) 

Timaru

Timaru Churches - offsite
Sacred Heart, Timaru
Saint Matthews Anglican Chapel, Kingsdown 1905-1970s

Otago Witness, 29 June 1867, Page 11
The erection of the new Presbyterian Church at Timaru is now nearly completed. "The church," says the Herald, "is a stone building, oblong in shaps (45 feet in length by 35 feet in width— side walls 16 feet high), flanked at the corners by suitable buttresses. The style is Gothic. The windows are long and narrow, with the glass— what glaziers commonly call 'rough rolled plate'— let into the stone. They do not look particularly attractive outside, but inside present a better appearance. By and bye it is intended to add to the present building a tower or spire in such a way as that it shall grasp what is now the front entrance door, and run up along the centre of the gable. On the first Sunday in July, it is designed, if possible, to open the building for public worship. Mr M'Kenzie is the architect of the building ; Messrs Sibley and Peters,-contractors for the stone work, and Mr Harding for the -wood. The total cost is below L1000."

Timaru Herald, 16 January 1874, Page 6
Laying the corner stone of the new church for the primitive Methodists was performed on Jan. 12th by his Worship the Mayor, Mr George Cliff. The site is on the western side of Barnard street, close to the Borough Council chamber. The building will be of wood, 40' x 26' with studs 12' high. The front elevation will be in an ornamental stone. Pastor Rev. Josiah Ward. Rev. R. Campbell of the Presbyterian Church was also present. A scroll was placed in the cavity together with a copy of the Timaru Herald and the South Canterbury Times of Monday's date, and the stone lowered. Messrs Benjamin Gibson, H. Whittaker, J. Lester, W. Leggett, J. Cockroft, William Clough, J. Huffy, William McGill and Thomas Farrant, trustees; Francis J. Wilson, architect; Messrs Hallman and Gilmour, contractors for the erection of the building. Mr Gibson, on behalf of the congregation here presented Mr Cliff with a very elegant silver trowel, bearing the following inscription; "Presented to George Cliff, Esq., Mayor of Timaru, on his laying the corner stone of the first Primitive Church in Timaru, January 12th 1874."

Timaru Herald 31st July 1876 page 5
At the opening of the new Presbyterian by Rev. J. Hall of Lyttelton about 300 people found seats. Mr Chisholm read the following report:- A desire had long been felt for the settlement of a Presbyterian clergyman in the district and about September 1864 the Rev. Mr Fraser of Christchurch, visited Timaru and called on some Presbyterians resident in the town and informed them that, in answer to a call from the Amuri district, the Rev. Mr Barclay was coming out from England. Rev. Mr Hogg had been officiating in the Amuri district. At a meeting it was resolved to request the Presbytery of Canterbury to locate the Rev. Mr Barclay at Timaru for a period of three months, in order that the people should know something of his capabilities. The Rev. Mr Barclay arrived from England in January 1865, and visited Timaru towards the end of the month. He preached on several occasions. A deputation appointed for the purpose waited on Mr Barclay, and ascertained that he was willing to accept the call. A subscription list was in the meanwhile opened and the names sufficient were obtained to justify the committee in believing that they would be able to give their clergyman a suitable maintenance. A call was numerously signed and forwarded to the Presbytery, the Presbytery sustained the call, and, much to the satisfaction of the Presbyterians of Timaru and neighborhood, Mr Barclay arrived in March 1865 to enter upon his labours as their chairman. The Mechanics' Institute was placed at heir disposal on Sundays in return for which the Mechanics' Institute was allowed the use of the Presbyterian Church seats. 

The Sabbath school was commenced soon after Mr Barclay's arrival, under the superintendence of Mr John Inglis. The school at present superintended by Mr Hutton. In January 1866 steps were taken towards building of a church and a subscription opened on the 18th January. The site of the church consists of a quarter acre, kindly presented by Messrs Rhodes and another quarter acre which the congregation have undertaken to purchase. Captain Scott assisted in procuring the site. Mr D. McKenzie prepared the plans for the new church and tenders were accepted on 9th July 1866.
Silbley and Peters for stone and mason's work £375.
S. Harding for carpenter work 285 
Silverton for plastering £38 10s
Total £698 . The congregation have taken to build a vestry of stone. Mr John Belch furnished plans and specifications and also superintended the erection of the same free of charge. The sum of £250 was borrowed from Messrs Rhodes for two years, bearing at 11 per cent. per annum.

Timaru Herald, 19 January 1900, Page 3 THE PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH.
Wellington, January 16. The following is the final draft of stations:
Timaru — Woodward
Christchurch— Ward
Ashburton — Raine
Geraldine— Sharp
Waimate and Oamaru— Burnett
The Rev. Mr Woollass was elected the General Committee's delegate next year to the Conference to be held at Auckland for 1901. The Conference closes on Friday.

Dec. 2007 Timaru's four Presbyterian churches:  Trinity, St Stephens, St Paul's and Chalmers churches no longer have full-time ministers. To be to be more effective in the mission and ministry of the church amalgamation is a possibility in the future.

Timaru Courier 13 June 2008
Rev. Ian Hyslop was appointed South Canterbury moderator in March 2008, taking over from Bill Penno, who had held the position for three years. It was a significant step for Mr Hyslop after 20 years in the ministry, which began at Edendale in Southland. For the past 12 years (March 1996) he has been the minister at St Andrew's Parish in Geraldine. The South Canterbury Presbytery incorporates 13 parishes from as far a field as Twizel and Waihao. Mission can include teams and teams can include a mix of ordained and lay preachers and parishioners, " Mr Hyslop said. "That's the challenge of the church. We must communicate the faith with whatever tools are available. Churches generally were grappling with change in society. In the Presbyterian Church I bat strongly for the creative approach, using the fabric and resources of society for support. An example of such support is our very own Presbyterian Support South Canterbury. This is an organisation providing a wonderful resource to the district in care. To remain relevant, a church needed to move with the times. We have electronic presentation equipment for the congregation."  He had embraced technology in delivering his key messages of faith.

St Paul's Presbyterian Church, in the Highfield area at 28 Seddon St off Wai-iti Road was built in 1926-27. Morning worship is usually at 0945 on Sunday.
Chalmers Presbyterian Congregation, Timaru
The Trinity Presbyterian Church, Timaru
St Stephen's, 349 Wai-iti road, Gleniti, Timaru - built in the 1970s   
Opposite the Challenge service station between Morgans and Mountainview roads. Our church has a 'Know God - Know Peace' sign outside as well as a 'St Stephens Church' sign. Offers family worship.
Minister in 2005 was Rev. Richard S Gray.
Rev. Mary-Jane Konings and Rev. Chris Konings - Trinity Church Timaru and St Stephens Church Timaru (Joint Ministry) SCP 2009 [South Canterbury Presbytery (earlier Timaru Presbytery)]

Anglican churches are always orientated east/west, with the sanctuary at the east end.

St John's Anglican Church, on Wai-iti Road is not an old church, but appealing, built in 1949, has a wonderful stained glass window inside, by Gypsy Poulston. Other Anglican churches in the area include St Peters in Otipua Road and St Mark's at Otipua and of course St Mary's.

St David's Union Church in Marchwiel - A Methodist and Presbyterian union parish. The church was established in 1951 as a union parish for Presbyterian and Methodists. It was a result of a suburban boom in Marchwiel. In those days the houses were full of children and every family went to church.

St Peter’s, Anglican Church, Otipua Road (south end), Timaru.  Old photo

St Mark, Otipua

St Luke's Anglican Church, Fairview

The Timaru Herald 22 June 2006
Fairview to lose church after 55 years serving community
St Lukes in Fairview, a church built on the enthusiasm of parishioners 55 years ago, will soon close. Its final service will be held on August 27. Hilda Hawke was involved in the original fundraising for the church and has been its florist. She has been to most services for the past 45 years. Her husband Rob Hawke was lay preacher for 30 years. "He was so good you would have thought he was the vicar." In St Lukes' early days the church would be so full that some of the men stood outside and listened. A Catholic farming family, the Hartnett's donated the land and the small, simple brick church was built through local fundraising. Mrs Hawke opened her home after church. "We'd have a cup of tea and put the world to rights." Her in-law Gaylene Leslie became organist at 11 and played mostly by ear. "Dad hung his hanky out when it was the last verse." She was also to be the Sunday school teacher. The church stuck to the Anglican liturgy and formal hymns. "We stuck to the traditional not the happy clappy," Mrs Hawke said. But many long time farming families shifted or their children moved away from church. And many of the lifestyle people who moved to the country later last century were not church goers. Mrs Leslie returned to Fairview in the mid '80s and the church was no longer such a focal point of the community. She said it was sad the church she had attended with family and witnessed events like baptisms was closing. However, the falling off of the congregation had been apparent. Apart from Christmas the congregation numbered about half-a-dozen at most of the fortnightly services. Priest Chris Saunders said the vestry of St Peters, St Lukes and St Marks Otipua proposed the closure to the diocese executive. And at the end of the month the St Lukes parishioners will consider how they would like the church to be disposed of. Their recommendation will then go to the diocese executive. Mr Saunders said once the church represented Fairview Anglican's strong desire to have their own church. And in St Lukes' early days it was a central part of the community and testament to their faith.

Photo taken 1st Dec. 2007 by Margaret Todd
Photo taken 1st Dec. 2007. St Lukes is not longer a church but a private residence since 2006. The weather beaten sign still stands in the front and reads "Services 9.30 am 2nd Sunday each Month". All Welcome.  There are still two crosses on the roof and windows with tracery. The yard has two beautiful evergreen ornamental conifer trees, lawsonianas, to the right, a silver birch in front to the left and the tall tree behind the "house" is an eucalyptus.
Photo taken by Margaret Todd, 1st Dec. 2007.

Wesleyan Church - Pareora West - torn down.

Located in the Pareora West Cemetery, Beaconsfield Road, Otipua.  May, 2007 - Photos by Margaret Todd. "Now we have gone further up Beaconsfield Road to the Pareora West Cemetery.  Very overgrown but monuments still stand proudly, including the Boer War Memorial. I was interested in a large stone standing at left side of cemetery. It commemorates a Wesleyan church built on the site in 1870. "
    The Wesleyan church was completed before Christmas 1870 by  Mr Chivers who had the contract to build the church and pews for £57. The timber for the church, totara, was £33 and the totara shingles £5 5s.  The cemetery grew around the church as it was being built.  The first wedding May 22, 1871 at the Wesleyan Chapel, Upper Pareora, by the Rev. R. Bavin, William Clarke, to Catherine Ward, eldest daughter of Robert Ward, farmer, Pareora. This couple is also buried at the church cemetery. The first person interned was James Bell on 26 October 1870 with the land donated by Mr Chamberlain. The first christening was baby James Chamberlain. In 1963 the Levels County Council took over the care of the cemetery. The cemetery up to 1946 had 61 interments. The church deteriorated. The last service was in 1958. The church was demolished in May 1966. The walls were filled with clay and difficult to pull down. The stone on the old site 25 April 1971. Additional Reading: Tragedies Triumps Treasures of Timaru & South Canterbury by Colin Townsend, page 27 - 31.

Photo taken May 2007 by Margaret Todd.

Morley, William.  The History of Methodism in New Zealand - Page 456 online.
Pareora is the second place in the circuit. Mr Bull started at Mr Chivers, Pig Hunting Creek, near the township of Beaconsfield. A class was formed there by the Guscott, Priest, Rapsey, Ward and Gilchrist families. Week evening services were occasionally held at Mr Elworthy's station. In 1870 a church was built to seat 110 persons at a cost of £140. Nine years since a commodious vestry was added at a further outlay of £46.

Evening Post, 2 April 1912, Page 7
The Rev. W. Baumber, who leaves Timaru shortly for Nelson, was the guest at a farewell gathering of the Timaru Wesleyan congregation last evening, and was presented with a purse of sovereigns. There were many expressions of regret that the minister's health made a change desirable.

Otago Witness, 14 September 1904, Page 59
Saturday last, at Timaru, a number of boys, whose ages ranged from nine to 16 years, were charged with throwing stones and causing willful damage to gravestones in the Beaconsfield churchyard. The accused, while waiting for Sunday school to open, placed a tin on the top of a marble headstone, and amused themselves by throwing stones at the tin, some of the stones hitting the headstone and knocking chips off it. On another afternoon they broke the top off a marble headstone by throwing stones at it. The parents of the lads undertook to pay for the damage done in this case, and the stipendiary magistrate convicted the boys of willful damage, and ordered them to come up for sentence when called upon.

        Photo taken May 2007 by Margaret Todd.

The Old Church
What! tear the old church down, you say, and build a modern one
That we can look upon with pride upon and boast of when 'tis done?
With lots of little rooms below for festivals and fairs,
And one big room for preachin', with its pews and easy chairs?

What's wrong about the dear old church we've worshipped in so long!
The walls are good, the clapboards tight, the windows sound and strong;
I'll own the roof is leakin' some, but that can be made right,
A shingle stuck in here and there will make the old roof tight.

I tell you, brethren, that the old church seems like a life-long friend;
Sweet memories clusterin' round there will last till life shall end.
Each timber, joist, and board, and nail seems speaking with a tongue,
And tellin' of the good done here since you and I were young.

Beside that dear old alter there just fifty years to-day,
I knelt and begged for pardon, and Christ washed my sins away,
And, through old Time has thinned my hair and leached white as snow,
That alter is as dear to me as fifty years ago.

The sermons that we've listened to from holy men of God,
Whose bodies now are lyin' cold beneath the churchyard sod,
Seem ringin' in my ears to-day, and full of truth
And when I listened to them in the merry days of youth.

I seem to hear the preacher's voice say, "brethren let us pray."
And all the congregation kneel in the old-fashioned way;
I seem to hear the thrillin' shouts of "Glory" and "Amen"
Responding from the people's hearts and echoin' again.

I seem to hear those old time hymns we all so loved to sing,
That used to swell from ev'ry heart, and make the old church bell ring.
There's one now ringin' on my ears- "Let angels prostrate fal,
Bring forth the royal diadem and crown Him Lord of all!"

'Twould seem too much sacrilege to tear that alter down;
I'm afraid God wouldn't bless that deed, but rather on it frown.
No, brethren, not a dollar will you get from my old hand!
I'd rather give five hundred more and let the old church stand!

Waimate Advertiser Tuesday 29th May 1900 page 3

Under the Historic Places Act it is illegal to destroy, damage or modify an archeological site without the authority of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust. An archaeological authority is required for the demolition of any building or structure constructed prior to 1900.

Funeral songs less sombre
11 October 2006
Timaru Herald

No longer will you hear Walk With Thee in a South Canterbury funeral but you may well have The Time Of My Life. A recent survey of the top 20 British funeral songs showed hymns are out and pop songs in – and it's no different in Timaru. The Crusaders theme song ["Conquest of Paradise"], The Rose, Wind Beneath My Wings and A Lovely Bunch of Coconuts and tunes by Johnny Cash, INXS, James Blunt and Sarah Brightman have been popular of late. But it is not just the music that is changing. South Canterbury Funeral Services manager Wayne Phillips said as people didn't go to church as much these days, there were now more non-church funerals and people increasingly used funeral homes, rest homes, chapels and the crematorium. The British survey showed 51 per cent of people requested a specific song and 79 per cent discussed the songs they would like to be remembered by. Modern songs made a funeral much more personal Mr Phillips said, recalling Jail House Rock playing at one funeral. A woman who was terminally ill with cancer, sent him a tape with her chosen songs ready to be played. Mr Phillips has prepared his music – Born to be Wild to open, and Mull of Kintyre "to tone things down a bit" at the end of the service. Aoraki Funeral Home owner/manager Marie Lockyer said it often depended on the person's age where the funeral was held, with older people preferring traditional church services and younger people going for an outside venue, a hall or chapel. Mrs Lockyer said churches were accepting more kinds of music but every funeral was unique. "The music is chosen to portray the aspects of what that person is like." Celebrant Kath Wills said some hymns like the 23rd Psalm were still popular but people chose modern songs because they were more meaningful. The trend towards using CDs has seen organist Terry Kennedy playing less often. He said funeral costs have risen and an organist was another added fee. Funerals have changed from the sombre and sad occasions they used to be and were now more of a celebration of the person's life, he said. Mr Kennedy believed it was most important to plan your funeral – who you would like to conduct the service, where it should take place and who should speak should be organised beforehand. "I've got three people booked in to speak at mine."

The other article on that page (not relating to pipe organs at all!) has a photo of Michael Wilkinson inside the organ at Chalmers Presbyterian. That photo was taken recently in relation to an interview about the proposed interior restoration of the church, which was reported in the Timaru Herald on Saturday 30 Sept. 2006. There are 15 pipe organs in South Canterbury including at least two house organs. Ashburton has five organs and Waimate has three organs. 

Otago Witness May 20 1908 pg34
The new organ of St. Andrew's Church, Canterbury, was dedicated on the 15th. it cost £1000, to which Mr Andrew Carnegie, the Pittsburg millionaire, contributed £300.

The Times, Monday, Jan 29, 1894 pg7
The Rev. G. Williams, of Hindmarsh, has accepted the pastorate of the church at Timaru, NZ.

Consider taking a Petre pilgrimage down the South Island's east coast visiting several churches designed by architect Francis (aka Frank) W. Petre (1847 - 1918). bio

St. Andrews

St. Andrews Catholic Church. The photo was taken in 2007 by Margaret Todd.
The beautiful St. Andrews Catholic Church of St. Andrews, Nov. 2007.

A St. Andrews resident said that the Presbyterian (built in 1900) one was pulled down and the Anglican (built 1887) one shifted...haven't had time to check this out.

Timaru Herald Thursday 16 November 1899
The tender of Mr W. Baird, contractor, Timaru, has been accepted for the erection of a Presbyterian Church at St. Andrews. The price is £380 10s. The total cost of the building, we understand, when finished will be £475.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, 12 July 1900
The opening services of the new Presbyterian Church at St. Andrews were held on Sunday and were conducted by the Rev. Dr. Irwin of Christchurch. Three services were held throughout the day and were largely attended especially in the morning when there would be about 250 present. The St. Andrews Congregation have every reason to be proud of their new church, which reflects great credit on the architect Mr J. Turnbull and the contractor Mr W. Baird. It measures 52ft by 25ft including class and vestry. The exterior presents a pleasing appearance being tastefully painted. On entering the building the diagonal lining of the walls and the cathedral stained glass windows immediately attract attention. The seating accommodation is ample and comfortable. The choir seats are arranged on each side of the platform so that the choir face the congregation while singing. The thanks of the congregation are due to Mr J. T. Read, St. Andrews, for the pulpit railing lamp hangers and brackets, Mr Head having made these free of charge, the Church Committee finding the material. The congregation are also indebted to the following ladies and gentlemen for their valuable gifts :—
Mr Andrew Martin Senr. (Otaio) bell
Mrs Martin Communion Service of heavy silver
Mr W. Smith, Springbank pulpit Bible
Mr S. McBride (Timaru) baptismal font
Mr G. Pearson (Timaru) collection plates
Mr D. Martin, floor mating and platform carpet
Mrs R. Stewart (Kingsdown), Bible cushion and pulpit.
A hymn book is to be presented by Mrs D. Ogilvie, but its purchase is deferred as the congregation intend changing their hymn book and adopting the new church hymnal. The services of the day were much enjoyed and the collections towards the building fund were liberal, that of the morning service alone amounting to £24 5s 9d.

Otago Witness, 2 January 1907, Page 36 SOUTHBURN (Canterbury),
December 22.— The weather has been very dry, but still we seem to get a little rain just in time to prevent the crops becoming parched. On the whole the crops appear to be going well and there is every prospect of a good harvest. The sowing of the main turnip crop is now in full swing, but those sown earlier seem to be doing very well. Shearing is now completed, and farmers seem to be very- well satisfied with the results of the clip.
    Church Affairs.— We have just completed and opened our new Presbyterian Church, which is credit to the people of the district. The opening services, which were largely attended, were conducted by the Rev. Messrs Barclay (of Waimate) in the morning and Rev. Mackie (of South Dunedin) in the evening. The choir, under the conductorship of Mr Ellis (of Otaio), lent valuable assistance.    
    Soiree -A soiree was held in the new church on the l1th inst., and was largely attended. After a sumptuous supper, speeches were delivered by the Rev. Mr Jackson (Timaru) our local minister (the Rev. Mr J.H.G. Chapple), interspersed by solos, a duet, and some anthems by the choir.

Fairlie 

The pioneers often transcended denominational barriers in those early times. The first church in Fairlie was an interdenominational church, a Union Church, built in 1879 by the Anglicans and Presbyterians on land giving by D. McLean and passed over to the Presbyterian Communion in 1895.  The Rev. Japer Smyth, a 'sporting parson', the first vicar appointed to the newly constituted parish of Te Ngawai in 1883. He travelled between Pleasant Point, Raincliff, Albury and Fairlie with his greyhounds and would let them chase the hares along the roadside tussock. Today Fairlie has three churches. St Stephen's.

St Patrick's the Roman Catholic Church on Gall St. was built in 1889 and enlarged in 1911 and in 1925. St. Joseph School adjoins. On March 17 2002 the Catholic parish of St Patrick, in Fairlie, will celebrate its centennial on the day of the patron saint for whom it is named to mark 100 years since Fairlie became a parish in its own right, with its own resident priest. While St Patrick's Church was more than 100-years-old, a full-time priest was not appointed to Fairlie until 1902. A history of the parish was being compiled and there would be a display of photographs and memorabilia.

Timaru Herald Monday 14 October 1889 pg2
On Thursday the Rev. Father Foley, accompanied by Mr M De H Duval the architect, went to Fairlie Creek to lay out the foundations of the Catholic Church to be built there, the contract for which has been let to Mr W. Young of Geraldine. On Sunday, 27th inst., the foundation stone will be laid by the Right Rev. Dr. Grimes, Bishop of Christchurch, with the full ceremonial used on such occasions; a large gathering may be expected. The site is a five acre section near the railway station.

Otago Witness, 17 July 1901, Page 37
Church. — At last a decided move has been made in the determination to build a church for the combined Episcopalian and Presbyterian congregations, the latter not waiting for a final agreement ; and being by far the more substantial contributors — in ratio of about 5 to 1 have have let the contract for the erection of the Trails; to be of local limestone, which is of very fair building quality. I hear the English Church folk are hardly prepared to fall in with the wishes of the other party, in which case the church will be established, wholly by the Presbyterians. The total cost is estimated at £300. The Presbytery have granted oil parish the use tii a student to assist the Rev. Mr Lawrie in his labours for the spiritual wellbeing of the district — help that was greatly required, for undoubtedly the increased settlement in a large part of the parish, which is of very large area, has placed it beyond the power of one minister to attend to it adequately.

New Zealand Tablet, 20 November 1902, Page 20
November 17. His Lordship the Bishop arrived here on Sunday, the 9th int , and left for Fairlie, accompanied by the Rev. Father Tabman. At Fairlie a meeting of parishioners was called and was largely attended, several riding many miles to be present. His Lordship took the chair, and those present agreed unanimously to the proposal to have a separate parish established, with a resident priest. The parish will extend from the Cave to Mount Cook, and will be one of the largest parishes in New Zealand. Up to the present it formed a part of the Timaru parish, and was visited once a month by one of our local clergy. Father La Petit, who is curate at Timaru at present, has been appointed parish priest, and will have a busy time in such a large district, and will have over eight schools to attend to in giving religious instruction to the Catholic children. There is already a presbytery of five rooms erected at Fairlie, to which additions will shortly be made, and a suitable church, while at Albury the new church is under way, the foundation stone of which is to be laid by his Lordship at an early date in the New Year. Father La Petit will be much missed by the Timaru congregation, where he has worked so quietly and well, but being in the neighboring parish his many friends in the congregation will often have a chance of meeting him. He takes charge of the new parish about the 1st December. Father Tubman is enjoying a well-earned respite at Mount Cook, and returns to Timaru during the week.
    The Catholic Club's picnic of this year was, like its predecessors, a great success. Four expresses conveyed the party, accompanied by Father Taylor, to Gordon's Bush, a romantic spot about 16 miles from Timaru. The weather was most enjoyable and the country looked at its best. After refreshments at the Bush, kindly superintended by the ladies, sports were indulged in.

Timaru Herald 11 August 2005
The 1904 two-manual and peddle organ is being rebuilt for the first time in decades to form part of the South Canterbury Museum's latest exhibition Making Music; Musical Instruments from around the World, which opens on Friday. Organ company director John Hargraves and members Neil Stocker and Christopher Templeton will be spending the next few days resurrecting the old organ to its former glory -- a job made more difficult because it spent the latter part of its life incorporated as part of a bigger organ. Mr Hargraves said the original pipes were all there, but they had been moved around to different places. The organ was made by Timaru organ builder and piano tuner Alfred Hathaway in 1904 for the Congregation Church in North Street. When the church moved location, to a site with a ceiling height too small for the old organ, the congregation decided to dismantle it. Unfortunately, the man who volunteered to do the job with loving care died while on task, resulting in a mad rush to literally pull the organ apart in order to beat the bulldozers who were due two days later. Sometime later the organ went to Christchurch. Then 10 years ago, Timaru's South Island Organ Company, the only company of its kind in New Zealand, brought the organ back its Washdyke factory where it has been stored since. The organ will not be restored to playing condition for the exhibition. However, Mr Hargraves said this was the company's long-term plan.

Timeframes 

            View of Geraldine, looking towards the Waihi River. The building in the middle distance may be the Anglican Church. Photograph taken by Dr Alfred Charles Barker (1819-1873) in 1866.

Whitstable Parish magazine, Kent, England. August 1897 issue
Assistant priest: Rev. J.M. Whitehead. "I am sure there will be heart-felt regret at the news of Mr. WHITEHEAD´s impending departure from among us, he having accepted from the Bishop of Christchurch, an appointment of some importance at Timaru, New Zealand".

CD

Baptism index / Catholic Diocese of Christchurch. CD
"This Database contains baptism details for individuals baptised in the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch before 31 December 1904. This CD is an index only and should be used as a finding tool aid." There is a copy in the Aotearoa New Zealand Centre, Central Library, Christchurch. Call No. 929.3 BAP

The Catholic Diocese of Christchurch stretches from the Conway River in North Canterbury to the Waitaki River in South Canterbury, as well as Westland and the Chatham Islands. In 2006 there was a release of an Index on CD of the baptismal records of the earlier parishes of the Diocese for the period 1840 - 1904. There are only 26 of the mentioned 52 parishes that have records in them, the rest are blank. The alphabetical index includes the individual ID code, surname, christian name, date of baptism and parish. e.g. Mackenzie - Fairlie, Geraldine, Pleasant Point, Temuka, Timaru, Timaru North , Waimate.  Further information for a specific record is available by purchasing a print out of a Certificate of Baptism for $5 per sheet. This could include the birth date, mother's maiden name, residence, celebrant and sponsor's names.
The Sacrament of Baptism
Parish:
Full name:
Son/ Daughter of
and:
born on:
residing at:
was baptised on
by the Rev.
The Sponsors were:

The cost of the CD is $20. (incl. GST & postage) available from:
Archives - Baptism Records
PO Box 4544
Christchurch

Resources

Anglican History pdf 3.63MB

Archives of the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch are housed in the Anglican Centre, 153 Hereford Street, Christchurch. It is advisable to contact the Archivist first before you visit.
E-mail: archives@chch.ang.org.nz 
Hours: Wednesday 9.00am-4.30pm
Some Parishes have chosen to continue to hold their own archives, but more and more are deciding to house them in this central repository including: Fairlie and Temuka.

Macmillan Brown Library
In the Acland papers are burial records:
a. Church of the Holy Innocents register 1864-1887
b. Church of the Holy Innocents register 1869-1994
c. Burial plots and certificates
d. Marriages 1877 - 1993

South Canterbury Museum  have all the original (photocopied) records for St Mary's Church  - marriage, baptism and  burial.  St. Mary's Anglican and Temuka Anglican church records are on computer at the Museum.  St. Mary's records start from about 1860. 

South Canterbury Museum Presbyterian Archives Collection
Albury
Geraldine Co-Operating Parish
Knox Church, Waimate
Mackenzie Co-operating Parish
Morven
Orari
Pleasant Point
Pukaki Co-operating Parish
 St Andrews
St Paul's, Timaru
St Stephen's Church, Timaru
South Canterbury Presbytery
Temuka
Trinity Church, Timaru
Waihao Valley Co-operating
Waimate
Wakanui Church (refer St Paul's, Timaru)

Presbyterian Church
      Regional Repositories
        Archives
     Lost Archives Timaru Presbyterian Records
Fire destroyed records and the residence of the Rev. G. Barclay, Geraldine, Timaru Herald, 12 October 1889, Page 3

The Presbyterian Archive's Photographic Collection
Arundel
Cave
Fairlie - St Columba
Geraldine
Pleasant Point		 Temuka
Timaru - Chalmers
Timaru - St Pauls, Highfield
Waimate - Knox

Presbytery of South Canterbury

Aotearoa NZ Centre, Central City Library, Christchurch.
Baptist Archives. Waimate, Timaru and Temuka.
St Andrew's, Geraldine, 1879-1979. Updating of the story of the Geraldine Presbyterian church produced on the occasion of the opening of St Andrews church November 30th, 1950 published Geraldine, St Andrew's, Geraldine, 1950.  27pp

Methodist Connexional Office in Christchurch e-mail archives@methodist.org.nz  all the early marriage and baptism registers from Temuka are kept there.  School Roll birthdates are terribly unreliable, best to get a baptism record if you can.

Book

Held firm by faith : a history of the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch, 1840-1987 / by Michael O'Meeghan.
Publisher: Christchurch, N.Z. : Catholic Diocese of Christchurch, c1988.
Central Library 282.9317 OME Book First Floor
Central Library 282.938 OME Reference Aotearoa New Zealand Centre
Description: 368 p. : ill., facsims, maps, ports. ; 21 cm.
Notes: At head of cover title: Diocese of Christchurch, 1887, 1987.
Includes bibliographies and index.  ISBN: 0473006774 (pbk.) :
Includes: The history of the Roman Catholic diocese of Christchurch. The index names many priests whose names appear in baptisms, marriages and burial registers.

Bibliography

Bain, Michael. Biographical Directory of Anglican clergy who served in Otago and Southland. 2003

History of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand - Page 493 by John Dickson - 1899 - 532 pages. online

Cahill, Patrick Power, St Joseph's Parish Temuka, South Canterbury 1876-1951, Begin an Account of Seventy-Five Tears' Development in the Parish. Dunedin: NZ Tablet Printing & Publishing Co, 1951 94p. Cahill, P P. Dunedin, N.Z.

Healy, J.F. Reaching out : St Joseph's Parish, Temuka, 1876-1976. Temuka : St Joseph's Parish Jubilee Committee, 1976. pamphlet  

Hopkins, Rev. H. I. History of the Parish of Temuka June 1949.  31 p. : ill. ; 22 cm.

Hopkins, H.I. Centennial history of the Parish of Temuka and Winchester, 1878-1978. Temuka Parish Centennial Committee, [c1978]  "First 70 years edited by Rev. Canon H.I. Hopkins ; the last 30 years edited by A.H. Carlton"

Cartridge, L.E. George. The Anglican Church in Waimate 1844-1972: A History of St Augustine's  Parish to Celebrate One Hundred Years of Worship in the Church. Co-author and editor Lloyd D. Kenyon. Waimate: St Augustine's Parish Centennial Committee, 1972  110p

Columba-St Stephens Centenary Committee, 1979 Journeying Together: a Brief History of St Columba Presbyterian and St Stephen's Anglican Churches, Fairlie; St  (Timaru Pope Print1979). Munro, Marjory (Ed)  16pp. Illust. Card covers.

Crawford, Juliet Laures  Crawford, Noel Norman. Marshall, Winston The Centennial History, Albury-Pleasant Point Parish, 1879-1979. Pleasant Point: Albury-Pleasant Point Parish Centennial Committee, Timaru; Pope Print for the Parish, 1979

A Centennial History 1880 -1980, The Parochial District of Otaio and Blue Cliffs. 32pp booklet, published by the Vestry.

Drake, D. E. (Douglas Edward), 1927- St John the Baptist, 1937-1987 : a brief history to mark the 50th anniversary of the creation of a parochial district / compiled and written by D.E. Drake. April 1987. 23pp  ill. Available from Jubilee Committee of Highfield-Marchwiel Parish, 125 Wai-iti Rd, Timaru (N.Z.)

Ciaran Fiona, Stained Glass Windows of Canterbury, New Zealand, University of Otago Press 1998 review

Gillespie, Oliver A. (Oliver Arthur) South Canterbury A Record of Settlement; The South Canterbury Centennial History Committee 1958. Chapter 20 Churches page 374-390. Photos:
St Patrick's Church, Burke's Pass
Archdeacon Harper, Vicar of Timaru 1875-1911
Rev. George Barclay, first Presbyterian minister in South Canterbury
St Mary's, Geraldine in 1866
Church of the Holy Innocents 1872
At Anne's Pleasant valley 1956
Drawing  by Whateley Eliot 1874 showing St Mary's Timaru
St Mary's, Timaru 1957
Church of the Good Shepherd with snow low on the hills 1958
First Presbyterian Church, Geraldine
Trinity Church, Timaru
St David's, Cave
Second Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Timaru
Wesleyan Church 1875 showing old wooden church in the background
Church of the Holy Trinity, Arowhenua 1932 showing old wooden church in the background
Church of the Sacred Heart, Timaru
St Joseph's, Temuka
Bramwell Booth Boy's Home, Temuka opened 1916

Greenwood, William, 1910-1985 A Cloud of Witnesses : the Wesleyans of Pighunting Creek and Pareora. [Timaru : Trustees of the Pareora West Methodist Church], April 1971. Church history. Pamphlet. 64 pages  and printed by The Herald Printing Works, Sophia St, Timaru. Compiled just after the centenary when the new church was being built and a commemorative stone was laid on the spot where the church had been. A limited printing.

Greenwood, William. For All The Saints: An Account of the Primitive Methodists of Waimate; 1980 Waimate Publishing. Circulated by Wesley Historical Society, 1981; Stapled Card Covers.  21pp.

Griffiths, Barbara, 1908-1984 Do nought without a Bishop : life of Henry John Chitty Harper, Timaru, N.Z. : The Timaru Herald Company limited, 1956.

Stack, J. W. (James West), 1835-1919. Through Canterbury and Otago with Bishop Harper in 1859-60 [Akaroa, N.Z.] : Printed at the Akaroa Mail Office, [1906]

Harper, Barbara The Harvest : Timaru Catholic Chronicle  869-1969. History of the Catholic Church in Timaru, Printed by the Timaru Herald, 1969  published Centennial Committee, Timaru, 150 pages with dj, & green cloth, bw photographs. Account of early church in the region, settlement etc.

Harper, Henry W. ( 1833-1922)  St Mary's, Timaru;  1861-1961extracts from St Mary's. P. W. Hutton and Co. 1918

Harper, Henry William, 1833-1922 Letters from New Zealand, 1857-1911 : being some account of life and work in the Province of Canterbury, South Island. London : H. Rees, 1914.

Monaghan, Harold W.  (Vicar of St. Mary's and Archdeacon of Timaru) A Joy For Ever: St Mary's Parish Church, Timaru. Wellington: Harry H. Tombs Ltd, printers, 1945 : Wellington.  76 pages, green cloth, limited to 600 copies. Some early church photos. Hardback with dust jacket. Many colour illustrations, wash drawings, line drawings and B&W photographs. Photo of War Memorial with clearly readable names. In this book the author claims that the church of St. Mary's is the most complete and finished piece of gothic architecture in New Zealand and he attempts to make known to a wider public an achievement in building which deserves recognition. History of church building styles and of the church windows, parish buildings, furnishings names of donors., etc. Lists of names:
Book of Remembrance Dec 31, 1944 to end Dec 1945 (incl birth years)
Memorial Windows
Memorial Brasses
The Clergy and workers
Churchwardens
And other lists.

New Zealand Historic Places, no 47 1994. "Rugged Beauty" (St David's at Cave) by Don Donovan & "Caring for a Legacy" (St. Mary's, Geraldine stained glass windows) by John Wilson.

Nicholas, T. Greene. The Ecumenical Chaplaincy in Twizel, 1969-1976. University of Otago B.D. Thesis, 1977

Olds, Norman William. Timaru Methodist Centenary 1865-1965; Wesley Church, Bank Street. 48p

Oliver, O. P. Mrs. (Olwyn Pearl), 1926 Centennial History of the Parish of Te Ngawai 1883-1983. Timaru; The Parish 1983

St Andrew's Pareora Presbyterian Church, 1881-1981 [Pareora, N.Z. : The Church, 1981]. Pamphlet. 32 pages.

St David's Pioneer Memorial Church, Cave, South Canterbury; 1967. A revised edition of a booklet of the same name originally published in 1930 by "D.F." Apparently published by the church trustees and printed by Herald Print. 1967 notes contributed by Mrs A.E. Woodhouse of Blue Cliffs Station

St. Mary's Catholic Church Centennial Committee, 1988 St. Mary's Church, Pleasant Point : the first 100 years, 1888-1988; Pleasant Point :  (Timaru : Print Lines) Available from P. Scannell, 36 Harris St., Pleasant Point,  $11.00 (pbk.) pamphlet. 28pp. Aotearoa NZ Centre ChCh.

Jubilee Souvenir 1873-1951 Trinity Presbyterian Parish, Temuka. Printed by the New Century Press. Christchurch 1953

Warren Doreen.  Some Canterbury Churches with illustrations specially drawn by Fanny Buss. Published by Christchurch's The Pegasus Press in the mid-'50s Historical notes and line illustrations, significant churches in the Canterbury Province. Soft cover features a coloured landscape painting of The Good Shepherd Church at Lake Tekapo, and inside featured churches are St Paul's Tai Tapu; St Peter's Akaroa; Holy Trinity Avonside; St Thomas's Woodbury; St Luke's Little Akaloa; St Mary's Timaru; St Mark's Opawa; St Mary's Halswell; Holy Trinity Lyttelton; Christchurch Cathedral; St John's Hororata; St John the Baptist Rangiora; The Holy Innocents Mount Peel; St Michael and All Angels Christchurch; The Holy Innocents Amberley; St Stephen's Shirley; All Saints Hokitika; Holy Trinity Arowhenua; St Peter's Riccarton; St Barnabas's Woodend; St John the Baptist Christchurch; St John the Baptist Highfield and St Barnabas's Fendalton. The author's introductory note explains that the Christchurch Diocese contains more than 170 churches and the 25 chosen for the book were selected for a variety of style, age and building materials and ranged over a century of building.

Wells, Rodney.  Bowman, Glenys. In a southern churchyard / drawings by Rodney Wells ; text by Glenys Bowman. Christchurch, NZ : Caxton Press, c1997.  Limited ed. Church buildings Canterbury Region. "The collection encompasses fifty country churches located in Otago and other Southern provinces". St John's Presbyterian, Pleasant Point, Canterbury - St Patrick's Church, Burke's Pass  - St Peter's Church, Temuka - St Alban's Anglican Church, Pleasant Point - All Saints' Church, Cave - St Michael's Anglican Church, Waihao, South Canterbury ISBN:  090856368X

Williamson, Eulla Hearts, Hands and Voices 1978 History of Geraldine, South Canterbury Parish of St Mary's Anglican Church.  Illustrated.  The Timaru Herald. Hardback First Edition. 126 pages. b/w photographs. The centenary history of the formation of the Geraldine Parish.

Woodhouse, A. E. (Airini Elizabeth), 1896-1989 The History of the Parish of Otaio and Blue Cliffs;  Timaru Herald Print, 1930. 

Elworthy, Gertrude A Centennial History 1880-1980 : the Parochial District of Otaio and Blue Cliffs compiled by Gertrude Elworthy. Publisher : St. Andrews : Otaio-Blue Cliffs Parochial District Centennial Committee, 1980 Timaru :Priest Printers 33 p. : ill. 

Sunday Star Times, Auckland 12 June 1998
The Stains in the Plains.  Stained Glass Windows of Canterbury, New Zealand

FHL*Parish of St Albans, Anglican Church at Pleasant Point Church Records 1881-1929.   Marriages  1883-1929 and burials 1881-1929.  Includes entries from St. Stephen's Church, Fairlie, St. Martain's Church at Albury, St. David's Church at Raincliff and All Saints Church at Cave.  Includes surname index.

Evening Post, 13 January 1912, Page 9 MINISTERS STATIONS.
Christchurch, 12th January. At the Primitive Methodist Conference the first draft of stations was read as follows:
Geraldine, George H. Mann
Waimate and Oamaru, James Guy
Timaru, Jacob Featherston
Temuka, John Harris

Glossary

Apse:  A semicircular or polygonal termination or recess in a building, usually vaulted and used especially at the end of a choir in a church. Sacred Heart has a good example.
Baptistry: A part of a church or a separate building used for baptizing.
Belfry: A bell tower
Chalice: A communion cup
Chancel: The east part of the church. where the alter is placed, originally shut off by a screen of lattice work from  from the nave
Chapel: A division of the church with its own alter
Charge: A clergyman's parish or the people of that parish 
Cinquefoil: A design having five sides composed of converging arcs, usually used as a frame for glass or a panel.
Clerestory: The upper part of the central nave of a church and has its own windows
Consecrated: To dedicate
Cooperating Parish: In some area in South Canterbury the Anglicans and Presbyterians have come to an agreement in organising church matters. The Vestry and Parish Council cease to exist and there becomes one governing body with one treasurer, secretary and envelope secretary with church services alternating between the Anglican and Presbyterian Churches and alternating ministers / vicars appointed.
Decorated Gothic: St Mary's, Timaru. Covers the period 1280-1380, elaborately curved tracery,  wider windows, better lighting, richly-coloured stained glass and curved carvings
Cure: Congregation by a clergyman
Desecrated: To violate the sanctity of
Eucharist: The offering of praise and thanksgiving in the Christian Church; the Holy Communion
Glebe: Land belonging to a parish church
Gothic Revival: An architectural style imitating elements of Gothic design characterized by pointed arches, rib vaulting, and a developing emphasis on verticality and the impression of height.
Lancet window: Tall and pointed window occurring usually in groups of two or three.
Lych Gate: A roofed gateway to a churchyard used originally as a resting place for a coffin before burial while waiting on the clergyman to arrive
Lectern: Reading desk in a church
Liturgy: The established ritual for public worship, esp. the Mass
Nave: The middle or body of a church from the choir or chancel to the main entrance, so called because of its resembles in shale to an inverted ship. [L. navis, a ship]
Parish: An ecclesiastical district.  
Parochial District: Received grants from the Diocese toward stipend and clergy and clergy were appointed by the Bishop. A Parish is more independent.
Paten: The plate on which the consecrated bread in the Eucharist is placed
Presbytery: Roman Catholic Church. The residence of a priest. 
Reredos: An elaborately carved screen or wall panelling at the back of an altar
Rose window: A large stained glass circular window with plate or stone tracery diverging from the centre.
Sanctuary: The part of a church around the altar; the chancel.   
Stipend: Salary of a clergyman.
Tracery: Ornamental work of interlaced and branching lines, especially the lacy openwork in a Gothic window.
Transept: Transverse portion of church at right angles to nave. Can be east, west , SE, etc.
Vestment: Ceremonial or official garment
Vestry: Assembly of parishioners to deal with parochial affairs
Vestry: A room attached to a church for holding ecclesiastical vestments, prayer meetings, etc. 

New Zealand religions in 1986: 
Anglican 24%        Presbyterian 18%        Roman Catholic 15%
Methodist 5%        Baptist 2%                   other Protestant   3%
unspecified or none 33%

The following particulars regarding the strength of religious denominations in New Zealand are compiled from the census returns of 1891-
Total churches and chapels for the colony 1,197
Accommodation in same for 278,114 persons
Actual attendance at all churches 177,055

Presbyterian 40,758        Anglican 37,252     Roman Catholic 30,525
Wesleyan 27,106             Salvationist 14,442

Today 2001 the Geraldine Anglican Parish roll lists about 350 households spread over a number of small worshipping communities in Geraldine (St Mary's), Woodbury (St Thomas'), Peel Forest (St Stephen's), Pleasant Valley (St Anne's) and Orari (Holy Trinity). 

Otago Witness 18 March 1908
Presbyterians in South Canterbury 1906 compared to 1901. 
Borough		Total pop.	Presb's   Increase or decrease
Timaru 		7,687 		1,913 		 629
Temuka 		1,661 		  414 		 155
Geraldine 	  942 		  149
Waimate 	1,637 		  390 		  73

County
Geraldine 	5,027 		1,344 		-123
Levels 		6,584 		1,934 		 450
Mackenzie 	1,939 		  833 		 138
Waimate 	6,510 		2,040 		 292

To: Olwyn WhitehouseWhich is your favourite church in South Canterbury from the historic view? Why? Please email me with your comments. 

South CanterburyGenWeb Project Home Page

The church used to be the centre of the community but people have become more mobile since then.