Historic Significance

Historical Significance or Value St Andrews has had a long association with Epsom. An earlier much smaller church (1846) was built on land purchased by Bishop Selwyn in 1844. Selwyn anticipated Epsom would quickly grow into a suburban settlement but until the early 20th century it remained predominantly rural. The church is most closely connected with Rev Dr John Kinder. As the vicar and architect, a contributor and fund raiser he was the principal force in the establishment of his church. He was also responsible for embellishing the interior, at his own expense, and setting a standard of design and decoration that has been followed to this day. As one of Auckland's earliest established churches and a parish in its own right since 1910 St Andrews is rightly considered one of Auckland's most historic churches.

Physical Significance

ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: St Andrew's is one of Auckland's best known examples of the Selwyn style, the form of architecture introduced by New Zealand's most famous early prelate. Selwyn's requirements for church design followed that of the Cambridge Camden (later Ecclesiological) Society which outlined precepts of architectural design and championed the use of the Gothic style. Kinder was a founding committee member of the society and through his extensive study of English church architecture was more than capable of designing St Andrews. Although little remains of Kinder's original design the present structure displays the unusual level of sensitivity and skill that has maintained the original character of the church. It is an interesting contrast with the near original Selwyn churches of St John's College Chapel (1846) and All Saints, Howick (1847) and in the attractive continuity of its design an obvious parallel with Old St Pauls, Wellington (1866). TOWNSCAPE/LANDMARK SIGNIFICANCE: Today the much enlarged church has mature trees in its grounds so that its street impact is pleasant but limited in its extent.