Trinity Presbyterian Church, Timaru
The interior is quite on par with the exterior.
The Trinity Presbyterian Church which occupies a prominent position in Barnard Street, Timaru, is a handsome concrete building with gallery, having seating accommodation for 700 adults. Large congregations attend the services which are held morning and evening every Sunday. There are three Sunday schools in connection with the church; one held in the church itself, is attended by about 200 children and from 25 to 30 teachers. The other schools are held in the mission church, Sandytown, and at the Timaru South public school. A monthly service is held by the resident minister at Fairview public school, where there is also a small Sunday school. Reference: Cyclopedia of New Zealand, Canterbury edition. 1903. Designed by R.A. Lawson. Open on 15 Oct. 1876. Doors closed in December 1957. Demolished in the 1960s and was a serious loss to Timaru's heritage and church architecture. It was an imposing classical building.
Timaru Herald Friday Dec. 3rd 1875 page 3
New Presbyterian Church, Timaru
Will be ready for occupation next May or within six months. The design selected, is that furnished by Mr R.A. Lawson, of Dunedin, in the doric style of architecture, and to be carried out by Mr John Alves, contractor, in concrete throughout. Dimensions -110 feet in length, including relieved entablatum at front and vestry at back, by 55 feet in width. The interior dimensions of the church proper, being about 85 feet in length, by 45 feet in width. The height from floor to ceiling being about 33 feet, interior measurements. The height of the relieved doric columns of the entablatum including base and capital is 20 feet, the diameter at base being 2 feet 6 ins. On the projected entablatum of front elevation and projected transept breaks of side, the usual triglyphs of the order are carried out, but omitted on the intervening wall spaces of the pieze. The columns, four in number, which support the entablatum are to be fluted, and are placed on the pedestals of the order, the cornice, mouldings, and bases of which are continued round the whole of the building. At the front entrance three steps are carried round at the line of the portico, and there are four additional at the main entrance doorway. The building will be chiefly lighted from the sides by seven large window openings, four of which on each side will be projected from line of wall and surmounted by friezes and entablatums of the order, the reminder being in the transcept projections, will be semi arched and finished in receded with well relieved architraves and keystones over impost mouldings. At the front entrance a vestibule 27 feet by 10 feet, and a cloak room, 10 feet by 10 feet, also staircase and gallery storeroom will be placed. Over this gallery will be situated, which will accommodate about 70 people, and the reminder of the building will be arranged to accommodate at least 600 sitters. Considerable care has been given to secure thorough ventilation of the building, and at the same time to avoid drafts, as also to secure good acoustic properties throughout. The roof of the building in the interior it is untended to finish in colonial timbers, carefully selected, varnished in panelled work, principals being formed in an cliptic style, and spring from moulded corbels on the walls, a bold cornice finishing between each set of principals at junction of plastered walls and panelled ceiling. A panelled dais will be carried round the walls of the interior, corresponding in style with the panelled work of the roof. The platform will be slightly raised above the floor and is to be surrounded by a series of light, open pillars, with appropriate hand railing, and on the wall behind the platform, a handsome Doric canopy, supported by pilasters, will be placed, giving an importance and prominence to this portion of the interior. The committee rooms and library are situated in the rear of the present building now in occupation for Sabbath school purposes. The new building is being erected on the adjoining section recently acquired by the congregation.
Timaru Herald Monday 16th October.
Opening.
The seats are placed in four rows, the two centre ones being divided by moveable panel work. The woods used in their construction are red pine and kauri, the former being very heavily stained, and both varnished. The ventilation of the building was yesterday proved to be perfect and its acoustic properties are also excellent. It is lighted from inside by three sunlights in the ceiling, each of which contain a double rung of lights. Besides these there are two lights on the platform and two on the vestibule, &c. The building from the outside presents a most striking and commanding appearance, and is by far the most prominent structure in the town. The original contractor was Mr John Alves, also of Dunedin, but in consequence of his abandoning the work when it was about half completed, it was taken in hand by Messrs Gibbs and Clayton of Dunedin, who have carried it to a successful issue. The contract price was £3,394, but this has been slightly succeeded. The contract was signed on November 19th, 1875. The painting by Mr Craige, and the lighting by Mr J.T. Ford, both of Timaru, wee executed in a most satisfactory manner. The foundation stone was laid by the Hon. E. W. Stafford on Dec. 29th, 1876.
In the forenoon yesterday there must have bee about six hundred persons present, their Church being filled in every part. Dr. Stuart, of Dunedin, preached a stirring sermon on the necessity of grater spiritual earnestness on the part of both ministers and members of the Church in fulfilling the work of their Divine Master. His text was from Isaiah 1xii, - "For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake will I not rest until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth." The sermon was delivered with great force and fervor, and listened to by a most attentive audience. In the afternoon a short service was held for the children, who pretty well filled the centre of the building; a number of adults being at the sides. The Rev. Mr Will gave a short address on the word "Come," and Dr Stuart on the books of nature and the Bible as teaching us of God. The Reverend Mr Gillies followed with a few words on the text, "I write unto you little children because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. In the evening the church was again filed throughout, the services being conducted by the Rev. Wm. Will., of Taieri, who preached an excellent sermon. We understand that the collection in aid of the building fund yesterday amounted to £66 10s.
Wednesday 18 October 1876 page 3
The Soiree in connection with the opening of the Church. Total £4,200. The loan for £2000 from the National Insurance Company has been arranged on favourable terms for three years, the rate of interest being 8 per cent. The Rev. T.B. Hallows, of Christchurch, the Rev. Mr Burnett of Ashburton, Rev. Mr Elmslie, of Christchurch, Rev. Mr. Todd, of Oamaru, Rev. Geo. Barclay, delivered speeches.