The beautiful little St. Mary Church

standing on the summit of a ridge overlooking
 Esk Valley, South Canterbury

On the way to south from Timaru take a detoured via Esk Valley, about six miles along the Blue Cliffs Rd, from St Andrews, and view the countryside.  Esk Valley, is about 15 miles south from Timaru, about half way between St Andrews and Bluecliffs Station.  In October the valley is absolutely beautiful and the Church is really apealling.  On the main highway south to Dunedin at St Andrews turn inland at the old post office and go up the Blue Cliffs Road for a few miles and then there is a sign post saying the church is up on the hill. Very easy to find even for visitors. Drive up the hill to the church and park. There are closed gates often with magpies sitting in the trees lining a driveway down to the The Anglican Church of St. Mary, Ryans Road, Esk Valley. Open the gate and walk or and drive right up to the church.  The church and churchyard cemetery are still utilised and there are quite a few folk are buried in the cemetery in the lovely grounds of the church. The church is firmly locked. Church is held there the 1st 2nd and 3rd Sundays of each month.

This small limestone church, designed by B.W. Mountfort (1825-98), a distinguished architect, was consecrated 11 May 1880 for the late Mr Charles Meyer, former owner of Blue Cliffs Station (1870-1878) to honor his wife's wishes.  She died 30 January 1878.  Mr Meyer died in Scotland on 30th August 1878 at Loch Inver, Scotland but before he left New Zealand, he made arrangements for a church to be built on five acres and left £6,000 as an endowment for the Waimate Parochial District and £1000 for building a church in memory of his wife. He never had the chance to come back to view his gift to the district.  Mrs Ellen M. Meyer would take walks over the sloping ground and view Esk Valley to the east and the Hunter Hills rising to the west. She had wanted a church to be seen from the original homestead site, seven miles distance, on the old Blue Cliffs Rd.  The Rev. L.C. Brady served this parish for thirty-six years.  In 1879 the estate was sold to Robert Heaton Rhodes.

Timaru Herald February 1875 Marriage
MEYER – LAYARD – On the 30th Sept, at Combe Hay Church, Bath, by the Rev. C. Villiers Layard, brother of the bride, assisted by the Rev Richard Moorgart [Mooyaart], rector of Amberley, Charles Meyer, Esq., of Blue Cliffs, Canterbury, to Ellen Mary (Nellie), second daughter of the Rev C. Clement Layard, Rector of Combe Hay, Somerset.

Timaru Herald February 1878 Death
MEYER - On the 30th January, at Armagh-street West, Christchurch, Ellen Mary, the beloved wife of Charles Meyer, Blue Cliffs.

Timaru Herald  November 1878 Death
MEYER - On August 30th at Loch Inver Hotel, Lairg, N.B., of heart diseases, Charles Meyer, late of Blue Cliffs.

Timaru Herald Thursday May 13 1880 pg. 2 Newspapers clipping image from Timaru Herald   1864 -1900

The tree in the in the garden plot surrounded by daffodils is a native New Zealand conifer, an Aureus totara, planted by the Lyalldale WDFF (now known as Lyalldale Rural Women) in memory of women's sufferage. This golden totara an excellent contrast to other plants can grow to about fifteen feet in a pyramidal form with rich golden prickly foliage, greenish during the summer, graceful branches, and it can be dwarfed by pruning to suit confined spaces. Tolerates heavy pruning and can be formed into a hedge for a shelter belt. For milder areas.

The older part of the well maintained churchyard cemetery is clustered more or less with the newer headstones right behind the church.  The plaques on the foundations are in memory of parishioners who have been cremated with their ashes either in the lawn or their ashes have been spread elsewhere but a plaque was fixed so family had a permanent place to visit. The tall headstone in the foreground reads: Edward Hoskin, died 1907 age 40 also his wife Lucy Jane died May 4th 1923 age 56.  The burial records are with the Diocesan Archives in Christchurch as is the marriage registers as well. The cemetery headstones have been transcribed for the NZSG and for a five page booklet, Esk Valley-Bluecliffs St Mary's Anglican Church Cemetery, [Christchurch, 1978], located at the Christchurch City Central Library ANZC Family History Collection.

The first burial was in 1880, a boy, Digby Lawrell.
Timaru Herald Published 7th October, 1880. Deaths
LAWRELL. On September 13th, killed accidentally at St. Andrews railway station, Digby Lawrell, aged 3 years and 11 months, eldest son of H. Lawrell (late Captain 100th Regiment of Foot).

Timaru Herald August 1878 Birth
LAWRELL - On July 7th at St. Andrew's, the wife of Captain Lawrell, of a son.

Beautiful Stained Glass Windows

In loving Memory of Robert Heaton Rhodes.  Died August 18th 1918.  Born Mary 27th 1857.

To the Glory of God & in memory of JESSY, youngest daughter of CHARLES ROBERT BIDWELL of Pihauta & wife of ROBERT HEATON RHODES of Blue Cliffs. Born 7th November 1866. Died 22nd May 1937.

The last window was donated by Airini Woodhouse, daughter of Mr and Mrs R.H. Rhodes in honour of her mother Jessy Rhodes nee Bidwill (1866-1937).

The church has accommodation for fifty and eight English fine stained glass window protected by wire screen. The windows are dedicated to early families of the Upper Otaio district. The three rose windows, in the cinquefoil in the north-east sanctuary, in memorial to Mr Meyer, were donated by his friends, and were already in place when the church was consecrated in 1880. The rose window in the western gable was also insitu in 1880. Two lancet windows were donated in 1880 by  Mr Meyer's sister and brother-in-law, Richard J. and Emma M. Mooyaart, of Amberley, Gloucestershire, England. Another window donated in 1921 was in memory of Robert H. Rhodes (1857-1918), former Blue Cliffs Station owner. 


Note the "White Friar" emblem in the bottom right hand corner of this last window. This was the signature for the studio of James Powell & Sons, Whitefriars, London from 1915 to about 1972 then the rebus was a basic outline of a monk wearing a white cowl (a hooded garment worn by monk) until the company closed in 1980. After 1962 the company became known as Whitefriars. The Powell's glass works was built on the site of a former monastery. There are no marks on the early Powell windows.

Which is your favourite church in South Canterbury from the historic view? Why?  Please email me with your comments. 

Stained Glass as an Art

The Times, Friday, Jul 03, 1846; pg. 7
Divers Works Of Early Masters In Christian Decoration

Perhaps there is no feature in the whole range of Gothic architecture in which our own churches and cathedrals are generally so deficient as in that of stained glass; yet there is certainly no embellishment in Christian decoration of which the loss is so palpably felt. The noblest proportions, the loftiest roof, the most graceful columns, do but coldly express the majesty and beauty of Gothic architecture, unless softened and enriched by those streams of many-coloured light which pour down upon them from every side, in the sublime cathedrals of Rheims, Chartres, and Rouen. Some cathedrals are lamentably wanting in this embellishment. Exertions have lately been made to supply of them the deficiency. The demand for this kind of decoration soon creates the skill necessary to satisfy it; and it is but due to the successful of the modern artist in course of time, to equal the most renowned of the old masters in this art.
 

The Times, Wednesday, Jul 02, 1930; pg. 10
Stained Glass Artists Leonard Walker, R.I..
Letters to the Editor

The production of a stained glass window if the artist desires to impact satisfactorily his thoughts to others, he must know intimately the medium he has chosen and its limitations, and such knowledge is acquired only by exhaustive study and practice. If the artist leaves to others the execution of his ideas the result must be akin to a portrait or subject picture by several hands. The personality of the artist is revealed in the execution. In glass, in a sense, the execution is almost of greater importance than the design. Glass, with its association with light itself, occupies an unique position. Anyone who has cut and handled glass and lead for many years will be brought to realize that his ideas must be moulded to their dictation. They become his teaches. Cut down a piece of glass you may think correct to dimensions of your plan, and you may find that you have spoiled its beauty, in which case the cartoon must be altered to propitiate your vitreous mistress, and you try again. The result is that the cartoon grows out of the glass. One lives, breathes, and designs in a glass world. The beauty of glass is as the beauty of flowers set free by the touch, persuasive, selective, of their lover whose art it is to release the blooms of the perfect rose from their age-long briar-prison.

 

1881 England Census
Name 				Est. Birth Yr 	Birthplace 			Relationship
Residence Church Road The Vicarage, Benhall, Suffolk, England 
Mooyaart	Amy  		abt 1879 	Benhall, Suffolk, England 	Daughter 
Mooyaart	Henry  		abt 1829 			  Ceylon 	Head 
Mooyaart	Mary  		abt 1839 	Lifton,  Devon,   England 	Wife 
Mooyaart	Lawrence  	abt 1881 	Benhall, Suffolk, England 	Son 
Mooyaart	Mary  		abt 1880 	Benhall, Suffolk, England 	Daughter 

1891 England Census 
Name Est. 			Birth Yr 	Birthplace 		County 
Mooyaart	 Amy 		abt 1879 	Suffolk, England  	Devon 
Mooyaart	 Lawrence 	abt 1881 	Suffolk, England  	Gloucestershire 
Mooyaart	 Mary 		abt 1880 	Suffolk, England  	Devon
Mooyaart	 Mary 		abt 1839 	Devon, England  	Devon 
Mooyaart	 Rev. Henry 	abt 1829  				Devon 
Mooyaart	 Richard J 	abt 1832 	Sri Lanka 		Somerset 
Mooyaart	 Emma M 	abt 1835 	Germany 		Somerset

1901 England Census 
Name 	 			Birth Yr 	Birthplace 	Relationship 	Civil Parish County
Mooyaart 	Emma M 		abt 1835 	Germany 	Wife 		Eastbourne Sussex 
Mooyaart	Richard J  	abt 1832 	Sri Lanka 	Head 		Eastbourne Sussex 

 The photos don't quite reflect how lovely the day was.
Photos taken by Paula. Sept. 2005.

Esk Valley Primary School

The school for the district opened in 1879 and the school buildings were immediately below what is now the church grounds. The name for the school and district was changed from Upper Otaio in 1900 to Esk Valley. The Hewson family, who farmed there for many years, donated ground for the Esk Valley School, which closed down many years ago now through lack of young children in the area.  It is a farming area, much smaller farms years ago, but now a few farmers are buying them up and making large farms once again. Records of closed primary school Esk Valley School (formerly Upper Otaio School) are at Archives NZ, the Christchurch office.  [Charles Meyer's probate papers are at Archives NZ in Christchurch, dated 1878]

- Register of Admission, Progress and Withdrawal > 1881 1928
- Register of Admission, Progress and Withdrawal > 1921 1975
- Register of Attendance [10 Pieces] > 1966 1975
- Register of Attendance [9 Pieces] > 1957 1965
- Register of Progress and Achievement [11 Pieces] > 1955 1965
- Register of Progress and Achievement [8 Pieces] > 1966 1975
- School Committee Minute Book > 1879 1938
- School Committee Minute Book > 1938 1975

Wanganui Herald, 5 October 1880, Page 2
BIRTHS. Collins — At the School Residence, Upper Otaio, on Tuesday, September 21st, the wife of E. J. Bruges Collins of a son. (Leonard Jack).

Otago Witness, 16 January 1886, Page 13 UPPER OTAIO.
Presentation.  - On Tuesday night last the settlers met together in the schoolroom to be present at a very interesting and pleasing ceremony — namely, that of presenting the late mistress of the school, Miss Ferguson, with a. handsome silver tea and coffee service, as a mark of the high appreciation and respect in which she is hold in the district. After cake and wine had been partaken off, Mr Jackson, chairman of the School Committee, made the presentation, and spoke of the young lady in the highest terms, both as a friend and as a teacher. He also said that the testimonial had still greater significance from the fact that Miss Ferguson would still reside in the district, as she is to be married to one of the settlers. He concluded by wishing her every success and happiness in her new life.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, 15 August 1899, Page 3
Following are the teachers salaries and allowances at various public schools in the Waimate distinct:
Waimate, £1397 17s 7d ;
St. Andrews, £187 19s 6d ;
Upper Otaio, £119 19s 9d ;
Otaio, £102 8s 3d;
Makikihi, £187 7s 7d;
Hunter, £102 8s 6d;
Hook, £104 9s 9d;
Waituna, £199 4s 3d;
Waihao, £161 14s 3d;
Hannaton, £207 9s 3d;
Reclehffe, £141, 4s;
Glenavy, £150 11s 9d
Kapua, £122 7s 9d

 
You can see the sea from the grounds, barely visible. Stand hard up to the fence line to get a glimpse. Over the years hedges etc. have grown to obliterate the view somewhat.  The lone bare tree above is a silver birch.

Suggested Reading Material

Esk Valley War Memorial
Church Records

'Cyclopedia NZ' Esk Valley pg 1050 & 1051

A centennial history 1880-1980 : the Parochial District of Otaio and Blue Cliffs / [compiled by Gertrude Elworthy] pamphlet
St. Andrews : Otaio-Blue Cliffs Parochial District Centennial Committee, 1980 Timaru : Priest Printers. Central Library, Christchurch, ANZC, 33 pages.

The History of the Parish of Otaio and Blue Cliffs / 1930 [by A.E. Woodhouse and J. Hay.] Copy on shelf at Central Library, CHCH

In a Country Churchyard / drawings by Rodney Wells ; text by Tessa Ward. Christchurch, N.Z. : Caxton Press, c1987. The South Canterbury churches featured include: Church of the Holy Innocents, Mount Peel -- St Mary's Church, Esk Valley -- St Stephen's Church, Peel Forest -- St David's Church, Cave -- St Mark's Church, Otipua -- St Anne's Church, Pleasant Valley -- Holy Trinity Church, Arowhenua -- Church of The Good Shepherd, Tekapo -- St Thomas' Church, Woodbury -- St John's Church, Winchester -- St Augustine's Church, Waimate.

Blue Cliffs School and district activities, 1910-1960. [1960]. Woodhouse, A. E. (Airini Elizabeth), 1896-1989. Copy on shelf at Central Library, CHCH

South Canterbury NZSG Branch Library
- Esk Valley School, Otaio School & Hakataramea Valley School - [folder]
- Folder compiled of snippets of local school histories. Esk Valley included.

OTAIO PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

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