St Patrick’s Catholic Church (Former), in the gold-rich Macraes Flat settlement on the barren inland hills of North Otago, was opened in 1883 and stands as a testament to the hardworking perseverance of settler Catholics. The discovery of gold in 1862 prompted the development of a settlement at Macraes Flat. By 1871, however, both gold and the population were in decline. The remaining miners now became settlers. Roman Catholic settlers of Macraes proved themselves active in their faith from the early days of the fledgling settlement. In 1879 the noted architect Francis Petre was selected to design plans for a church. Due to financial constraints, much of the labour and materials were provided by the congregation. On Sunday 11 March 1883 the Bishop, Dr Patrick Moran opened the new Church. The building materials were all supplied by the enthusiastic laity. The stone for the walls was quarried from a local site. Oamaru stone was purchased from fundraising monies but carted free of charge. Designed to seat around 100, the church was single storied, with walls of thick solid schist stone. The roof was timber framed covered with corrugated iron. The walls and entrance way, belfry and Cross featured Oamaru stone. Lancet windows faced north and south; the east and west elevations were windowless. The nave was simply designed with floors and ceilings of rimu tongue and groove. The church underwent significant repairs in 1890 and again in 1899 at which time the exterior was cement plastered. A Vestry was added to the north elevation probably in the 1920s and covered with a rough cast stucco render, possibly in the 1970s. In 1999 the church and land was bought by Macraes Mining Limited, now Oceana Gold (New Zealand) Ltd. St Patrick’s Catholic Church (Former) has aesthetic, architectural, historical, social and spiritual significance. Designed by noted architect Francis Petre, the simple building represents the consolidation of rural settlements following the gold rushes. The church demonstrates the importance of Christianity in small townships and is a testament to committed Catholics and the support of the wider community. The church was a gathering place for spiritual replenishment, and for social and cultural expressions of the Irish community. Simple, elegant building lines combine with a tree embowered, peaceful rural setting to frame one of the few remaining buildings in Macraes Flat which tell the intrepid stories of rural townsfolk.
Location
List Entry Information
Overview
Detailed List Entry
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 2
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
2397
Date Entered
8th August 2011
Date of Effect
8th August 2011
City/District Council
Waitaki District
Region
Otago Region
Extent of List Entry
Extent includes the land described as Secs 43-44, 61-62 Blk I Town of Macraes (RT 255938), Otago Land District and the building known as St Patrick's Catholic Church (Former) thereon, and its fittings and fixtures. (Refer to map in Appendix 1 of the registration report for further information).
Legal description
Secs 43-44, 61-62 Blk I Town of Macraes (RT 255938), Otago Land District.
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 2
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
2397
Date Entered
8th August 2011
Date of Effect
8th August 2011
City/District Council
Waitaki District
Region
Otago Region
Extent of List Entry
Extent includes the land described as Secs 43-44, 61-62 Blk I Town of Macraes (RT 255938), Otago Land District and the building known as St Patrick's Catholic Church (Former) thereon, and its fittings and fixtures. (Refer to map in Appendix 1 of the registration report for further information).
Legal description
Secs 43-44, 61-62 Blk I Town of Macraes (RT 255938), Otago Land District.
Cultural Significance
Social Significance or Value St Patrick’s Catholic Church (Former) has social significance. Its existence demonstrates the importance of Christianity in emerging colonial townships. The construction of the building, for example, was at the hands of committed Catholics in the community. Ongoing fundraising work of the congregation and community towards building costs, as well as for later maintenance projects, illustrate the importance of the relationship between community support and the Church. The church also represents the social and cultural milieu of a nineteenth century rural settlement. It provided Catholics not only with a gathering place for spiritual replenishment, but also a place for the social and cultural expressions of Irish nationalism. The building served as a focus not only for religious services, but also served as a community meeting place for social entertainments and life events such as baptisms, marriages and deaths. The church’s inclusion in the Macraes Heritage and Art Park is further evidence of its ongoing importance as a structure to the Macraes community. It will continue to be cared for as an integral feature of the park. The community aims to develop this as a 'must see' tourist attraction, which will continue to add value to their historic township. Spiritual Significance or Value St Patrick’s Catholic Church (Former) has spiritual significance. It was the focus of religious contemplation and spiritual refreshment for Catholics of Macraes Flat and surrounding areas for approximately 100 years.
Historic Significance
Historical Significance or Value St Patrick’s Catholic Church (Former) has historical significance. The building with its simple design illustrates the period of consolidation of settlement in a small rural township following the gold rush heyday. St Patrick’s is also a physical representation of the importance of religion to the Catholic community in Macraes Flat and their determination to build a place of worship.
Physical Significance
Aesthetic Significance or Value St Patrick’s Catholic Church (Former) has aesthetic significance. The church sits in a stone walled field, encircled by large trees, within which the elegant lines of the building emerge. A curved white pebble path leads up to the simple entrance way. The Oamaru stone quoins are a pleasingly aesthetic feature in the simply designed building. Architectural Significance or Value St Patrick’s Catholic Church (Former) has architectural significance as an example of the work of prominent architect Francis Petre who is renowned particularly for his designed Roman Catholic architecture. His expertise was not only sought out for imposing city cathedrals, but also for smaller local churches. St Patrick’s Catholic Church serves as a visible reminder of Petre’s substantial contribution to the Roman Catholic ecclesiastical architecture in this country.
Detail Of Assessed Criteria
(a) The extent to which the place reflects important or representative aspects of New Zealand history St Patrick’s Catholic Church (Former) represents the history of Catholicism in small rural Otago townships. The history of the church in Macraes Flat speaks to the importance of Christianity during the early years of European settlement. It also speaks to the story of Irish participation in the gold rush and eventual settlement in New Zealand. b) The association of the place with events, persons, or ideas of importance in New Zealand history St Patrick’s Catholic Church (Former) is associated with Francis Petre, pre-eminent nineteenth century New Zealand architect, whose work for the Catholic Church is particularly noteworthy. (e) The community association with, or public esteem for the place St Patrick’s Catholic Church (Former) was held in high public esteem. The necessity of a church in the township was so important to the local Catholic community that it appears they built much of the structure with their own hands. The history of community support is evident not only in the construction of the church but in its ongoing maintenance. Fundraising was well supported by the local community which enabled repair work and modifications to take place. (g) The technical accomplishment or value, or design of the place St Patrick’s Catholic Church (Former) has significance as an example of nineteenth century church design, particularly Petre’s style of Gothic revivalism. It is a fine example of Petre’s simple church designs for small rural townships. (k) The extent to which the place forms part of a wider historical and cultural complex or historical and cultural landscape St Patrick’s Catholic Church (Former) is a significant element in the historical landscape of Macraes Flat. The building represents the fruition of the efforts of the Catholic community, who were active in their faith from around 1865. It was the enthusiasm of these first Catholics which promoted the early establishment of the Catholic Diocese in the Presbyterian stronghold of Otago. More than fulfilling the religious needs of the local community, St Patrick’s also represents the religious and social requirements of the influx of Irish immigrants drawn by the gold rush. Finally, this building reflects the period of consolidation of settlement following the gold rush heyday. Indeed, the church stands as one of the few remaining historical buildings in Macraes Flat which speak to the valiant efforts of rural townsfolk. Summary of Significance or Values This place was assessed against, and found it to qualify under the following criteria: a, b, e, g, k. Conclusion It is considered that this place qualifies as a Category II historic place.
Construction Professional
Biography
Petre (1847-1918) was born in Lower Hutt. He was the son of the Hon. Henry William Petre and grandson of the eleventh Baron Petre, Chairman of the second New Zealand Company. Petre trained in London as a naval architect, engineer, and architect, returning to New Zealand in 1872. During the next three years he was employed by Brogden and Sons, English railway contractors, superintending the construction of the Dunedin-Clutha and the Blenheim-Picton railways. He set up office in Dunedin in 1875 as an architect and civil engineer. He designed a house for Judge Chapman (1875), followed by 'Cargill's Castle' (1876) for E B Cargill and then St Dominic's Priory (1877), all in mass concrete. It is for his church designs and for his pioneering use of concrete that Petre is most recognised. His church buildings include St Joseph's Cathedral, Dunedin (1878-86), Sacred Heart Basilica (now Cathedral of the Sacred Heart), Wellington (1901), St Patrick's Basilica, Oamaru, (1894 and 1903) and the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Christchurch, (1904-05), which is the outstanding achievement of his career. Petre's commercial buildings include the Guardian Royal Exchange Assurance Building (1881-82) and Pheonix House (now Airport House, c.1885), both in Dunedin.
Name
Petre, Francis William
Type
Architect
Construction Details
Description
Plans drawn by Francis Petre
Start Year
1879
Type
Designed
Description
Church opened
Start Year
1883
Type
Other
Description
Vestry added
Start Year
1920
Type
Addition
Construction Materials
Local schist stone, Oamaru stone, cement, rimu timber, iron roof.
Maori Traditionally, the Waitaha people had authority over Murihiku, the southern part of the South Island. Around 1750 the Ngati Mamoe, originally from the North Island’s East Coast, established themselves in Murihiku. They in turn fell under the control of another tribe from the North Island’s East Coast, Ngai Tahu. Archaeology suggests moa became extinct around 1500. The climate was too cold to grow kumara, so no horticulture was established. Settlement focused on the coast, where ocean fish, seabirds and seals were plentiful. People journeyed inland to harvest eels, forest birds such as weka and kereru, and cabbage trees. They also travelled to sources of highly-valued pounamu in the headwaters of rivers draining into Lakes Wakatipu and Wanaka. It would seem one of the main roads from the east coast to the Lakes district passed through the Strath Taieri. The remains of Maori ovens and numerous implements, weapons and utensils attest to this presence and help define traditional routes. While Maori travelled considerable distances seasonally to gather food sources, permanent villages were usually on the coast. In 1848 with the arrival of 344 emigrants at Dunedin, the European and Maori population were almost equal. With increasing European settlement, the next few decades saw the loss of major inland mahika kai resources. Inland areas were still visited but the gold rushes in the 1860s lead to closer land settlement by Europeans which often shut out Maori. Kati Huirapa ki Puketariki traditionally had manawhenua for the land on which Macraes Flat township, and now the mine, is located. The takiwa of Kati Huirapa ki Puketeraki centres on Karitane and extends from Waihemo to Purehurehu, including an interest in Otepoti and the greater harbour of Otakou. The takiwa extends inland to the Main Divide, sharing an interest in the lakes and mountains to Whakatipu-Waitai with Runanga to the south. There are no recorded Maori archaeological sites on the land on which St Patrick’s Catholic Church is built. Macraes Flat Charles Kettles first surveyed Macraes Flat in about 1847 as part of his work on the Otago Block. The first European settler of the area was Swedish-born Charles Hopkinson. His application for Run109 was accepted on 14 May 1857. He was described as ‘a genial Swede who left his mark on the, who land It is generally agreed that Macraes Flat was named after his Scottish shepherd, John Macrae. It was to be the discovery of gold in the area which prompted the development of a settlement at Macraes Flat, or McCraes Flat as it was spelled in early records. Gold was first found in Macraes in the winter of 1862 around Highlay Hill by prospectors following the Waikouaiti River upstream from the coast. The gold was worked mainly by sluicing and elevating, which required large amounts of water. By 1865 the township was thriving. One observer wrote ‘I am afraid this place is being overrushed by business people, and I inline to think that many will regret they came. There are now about 25 business places, to a population of about 500 miners, none of whom are making extraordinary wages; but, generally from £3 to £5 per week. Certainly the place will be lively through winter, as people must work hard to keep themselves warm...’ The famous Johnny Jones had established a restaurant in the township which also boasted Stanley’s Hotel, a dance saloon, Bank of New Zealand, baker, stores and post office. Macraes Flat’s population peaked around 1868-1869 when an upper and lower township came into existence. By 1871, however, the population was estimated at only 130. With the decline of gold, interest grew in acquiring land. In 1871 Francis Dillon Bell, politician and owner of Shag Valley Station, allocated 1500 acres to bona fide residents of Macraes Flat. In 1873 the Crown set aside 2500 acres of land, and licences and leases were granted from April 1874. Macraes Flat, however, was now an unsightly township with large holes in old worked ground and piles of debris and tailings. The miners, who had become settlers, had cultivated paddocks, gardens and substantial houses but ‘the gay, busy mining town...was slowly and surely slipping into its decline.’ The Catholic Church The reminiscences of an old Macraes Flat pioneer included memories of an aged priest, Father Petitjean, who came once a year to the Macraes district and endeavoured to visit every Catholic. The discovery of gold and the subsequent inrush of miners, many of who were Catholic, led to the official appointment of Father Delphin Victor Moreau to the province of Otago. Born in the south of France, Moreau arrived in New Zealand in 1843. For 18 years he worked with the Catholic mission to North Island Maori until the discovery of gold saw his mission diverted. The Roman Catholic community at Macraes Flat were active in their faith and in 1865 they secured themselves a clergyman and built a neat iron cottage as his Presbytery. A new era began with the formation of a Catholic Diocese of Dunedin in 1869. It was not until January 1871, however, that Bishop Patrick Moran arrived to take charge of the new Diocese. Moran arrived with the intention of building churches in every district. At the time Macraes Flat was attached to the Naseby Parish District where Father Norris, a priest lent from Auckland, was in charge. In 1874 Father Royer, previously of St Bathans, took charge of the Parish. When Bishop Moran visited Macraes in 1877, Mass was held in a private house. In 1886 the district was attached to the Port Chalmers parish. St Patrick’s Catholic Church Under the 1877 Land Act, the Crown granted The Right Reverend Patrick Moran, Roman Catholic Bishop of Dunedin, land in Macraes Flat on 15 August 1881. The land consisted of Block I, sections 60-64 and the adjoining sections 40-43. Previously sections 43, 44, and 45 land were held as a Police Reserve, although survey maps do not indicate any buildings on the site. There were a number of Catholic families in the district - Phelans, Sheehys, Lavertys, Claffeys, Hatstonges, Hanlons, Flynns, O’Connells, Hurleys, Leahys, Gallaghers, Keatings, Nolans, Heffernans, Hayes, Fennesseys, Spains, and the local policeman, Jim Kennedy. It is small wonder that the impetus to build a church in the district was strong. In March 1879 the New Zealand Tablet, a Dunedin-published Catholic periodical, reported that the 'Catholic congregation in Macraes, although limited in number, have spiritually undertaken to build a church in their district. Their efforts are most praiseworthy, and no doubt will meet with sympathy generally throughout the province, and obtain acknowledgement in substantial aid’. On 14 November 1879 tenders were invited for the building of a church at Macraes Flat. Plans and specifications were available from Francis W. Petre, engineer and architect. The advertisement noted the Church Committee were able to supply sufficient stone free of charge and required tenders for masonry work only, lime and sand to be provided by the contractor. Tenders closed on 3 December. The noted architect, Francis William Petre (1847-1918), was selected to draw a design for the church. Petre was born at Petone in 1847, into one of England’s oldest and most influential Catholic families. This religious faith was to play an important role in Petre’s career. Educated in England, he worked for architects and engineers. This experience afforded a thorough understanding of the latest engineering techniques including the use of concrete. In 1872 Petre returned to New Zealand to work as an engineer for a contracting company, building railway lines. By 1875 he was based in Dunedin, and had returned to architecture. His career went from strength to strength; the first New Zealand-born architect to rise to national importance. It was Gothic Revival architecture, however, which was his first enthusiasm. One of New Zealand’s most able practitioners in the style, he praised it for ‘the great richness and delicacy of detail, and the closer application of geometrical rules to architecture....’ This ‘delicacy of detail’ is the common denominator in his buildings. It was said that his drawings of stones, window traceries, arches and ornamentation were so precise that stonemasons could execute his intentions from one single drawing. His passion for sculpture also showed itself in his best work, which had a strong sculptural quality. Despite Petre’s emphasis on detailed, sculptural Gothic Revival architecture, he also believed that an architectural style should be ‘treated liberally’. His designs, therefore, remained individual creations, lighter and more delicate than many who designed in the Gothic style. It has been said that ‘he can now be seen as one of our great creative artists: the man, perhaps shy and modest, but the architect, one of daring and intelligence’. Petre’s other strong passion, Roman Catholicism, equally directed his career. As a Catholic, he was often the architect of choice for Catholic dioceses. He designed St Joseph’s Cathedral and the Dominican Convent in Dunedin, Sacred Heart Basilica in Wellington (NZHPT Category I, Record no. 214) and, perhaps his most imposing design, the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Christchurch (NZHPT Category I, Record no. 47). His expertise was not only sought out for imposing cathedrals, but also for smaller local churches. It is unclear who won the tender to erect the church. Perhaps the long delay between the calling for tenders and the opening of the church indicate no tender was successful. It does appear that the erection of the church owed much to an enthusiastic laity. One such example was Patrick Phelan, a goldminer and ‘a devoted and practical Catholic’. It was said that ‘his hand was always open to church building’ and it is not too much to say that among the laity he did for the erection of St Patrick’s Church in Macraes the lion’s share. Another parishioner, Richard Lockwood, carted free of charge from Oamaru to Macraes Flat the Oamaru stone used for the Cross and the facings. The stone for the walls was quarried within a few kilometres of the church site. A building committee had been formed although its efforts to raise money appeared intermittent at best. It appears that as the committee raised more money the building of the church was moved on a stage. Impetus came in 1881 when Macraes Flat joined the Port Chalmers Parish and Father W.J. Newport took charge of the area. On 26 December 1882 a ‘grand concert’, under the patronage of Rev. Newport, was held in Macraes Flat in aid of the Catholic Chapel. Another evening of entertainment was held on St Stephen’s Day in 1883 to aid the building of the local chapel, which was not yet completed. Reportedly a ‘large number of ladies and gentlemen from the surrounding district, together with Miss Hill from Dunedin, contributed various kinds of vocal and instrumental music. The affair was a great success, and the residents of the town regarded it as one of the most enjoyable in the district.’ Another fundraising event was held in November 1884 with a concert and ball in aid of the church. These events were attended by people from as far afield as Palmerston and Dunedin. The reporter noted that ‘dancing was kept up’ until six in the morning. Due to the enthusiastic efforts of local Catholics and a supportive community, the church was finished in 1883. The total expenditure was £300. The Opening On Sunday 11 March 1883 his Lordship the Bishop, Right Rev. Dr Patrick Moran, assisted by Rev. Father Newport, opened the new church at Macraes Flat. Mass was held after the opening ceremonies at 11 a.m. and 17 children were confirmed. There was a large attendance and the congregation filled the church which was described as ‘spacious and handsome’. The name given to the church was apparently St Brigid’s. It is unclear when the name changed to St Patrick’s. In the congregation’s return speech to the Bishop, local Catholics showed themselves to be a community within a community. They spoke not so much of their joy at the opening of the new church but instead addressed the current nation-wide discussion about Catholic schools. They railed against the ‘hostile Government’ and the need to ‘obtain justice at the hands of Government for our schools’. The Catholics of Macraes Flat promised ‘like our forefathers, faithful under persecutions of every kind, we will remain devoted children of the one true Church, and aid by heart and hand its progress in the small portion of your Lordship’s diocese.’ Contemporaries described it as ‘pretty little chapel’. A Catholic missionary congratulated the congregation on having such a ‘beautiful, well-appointed and devotional church..it was the best and most neatly-finished country church he had seen in all his travels..’ Designed to seat around 100, the church was single storied, approximately 14 metres long by 7 metres wide. The walls were 600mm thick solid masonry. The roof was timber framed with a corrugated iron roof with a gable at each end, featuring scalloped bargeboards. The foundations were stone, approximately 1200mm wide. The schist stone walls feature long and short Oamaru stone quoins. The simple belfry and cross atop the east elevation were carved from Oamaru stone. The Gibbs doorway, over the one single wooden door, was framed with projecting Oamaru stone working, echoing the long and short quoins. There were three lancet windows on the south elevation and probably three windows on the north elevation. Through the door in the east elevation was a small foyer and beyond this, the nave. The floor and ceiling were rimu tongue and groove. The interior walls were rimu tongue and groove panelling to about one third the height of the windows and then plaster. The window sills of the window were wide, almost forming window seats. A few steps defined the simple sanctuary area. Alterations In March 1890 the Bishop created a new mission district within the Diocese of Dunedin consisting of the Macraes and Nenthorn areas. Rev. Father Edward Donnelly was appointed to the new Parish from Oamaru. By 1890, the church required some repairs and Rev. Father Donnelly wasted no time in meeting the need. He organised a concert in August 1890 to help pay off debts remaining on the building and for repairs to the Church. The repairs, it was said, would make the church ‘an ornament to the town, when finished’. Fundraising concerts proved a staple for the church finances. Indeed the community was very supportive of their efforts. At one concert held in August 1891, the event was so well attended that the church was ‘crowded in every part of the house, and many were unable to gain admittance’. These repairs to the church, however, did not go as smoothly as Father Donnelly might have hoped. Indeed the result was a lengthy day in court. In October 1890, Father Donnelly testified that a member of the congregation, James Hartstonge, had done some repairs on the church building. When Father Donnelly spoke to him about the nature of the repairs, the defendant told the priest he would ‘smash his face in’. On Sunday 28 September Donnelly was on his way to church when ‘Hartstonge rushed out to me on the road at Macraes and asked me to pay him some money he alleged to be due him for timber. I said I owed him nothing for timber, when he replied, ‘You b---- villain, I’ll smash your b--- face if you don’t pay me.’ ..After a time we went to see the repairs to the church, and on returning went to my rooms at Claffy’s. While there the defendant attacked me again about some accounts, when I replied I would not have anything to say to him. I then turned to go in at the door, when defendant made a rush at me and struck me in the face.... I gave defendant no provocation whatever. I am in bodily fear of defendant. He has frequently threatened me with violence, and even to take my life.’ A further complication arose during the Sunday Mass.when Hartstonge called the Father ‘a scoundrel, liar, rogue and sweep’.’ Donnelly concluded his testimony by noting that the defendant ‘incurred excommunication ipso facto by striking a minister of God. I did not invoke the curse of Almighty God upon him in chapel, but quoted portions of Scripture showing the penalties of the Almighty upon those who committed the sin of slander.’ The judge commented that the case had been ‘a very painful one from its commencement, and unprecedented, I think, in Colonial records’. For the assault, James Hartstonge was fined £10 and costs, two months imprisonment and bound over to keep the peace for twelve months. He was further fined 20 shillings and costs, or fourteen days imprisonment, for disturbing the congregation. In 1899 the stone church went through a ‘thorough restoration’. The correspondent wrote that it was ‘painted a light blue inside and tastefully stencilled with the cross and the shamrock entwined. The outside has been cement plastered, lined and jointed to imitate stone. On the whole it is now one of the nicest little country churches in the Colony, and entirely free from debt’. A Vestry was added to the north elevation, probably in the 1920s. It had an exterior door and an interior door connecting to the church’s sanctuary area. The exterior was covered with a rough cast stucco render, possibly in the 1970s. It is unclear when the church was deconsecrated although a new certificate of title was produced in February 1967, perhaps indicating the church and land were now in the hands of the Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Dunedin rather than the congregation. In 1999 the church and land was bought by Macraes Mining Limited, now Oceana Gold (New Zealand) Ltd. In 2005 Luise Fong installed art work on the west elevation. The art works consists of three large light panels, mimicking the shape of the lancet windows, displaying stormy cloud scenes. Macraes Flat forms part of the Macraes Heritage and Art Park. The park includes not only the church but artworks, walkways, and interpreted historic mining and farm relics. The goal is to see the park become a vibrant tourist attraction, which will continue to add value to the local district.
Set in large grounds and encircled by large trees, St Patrick’s Catholic Church is reached by a curving white pebbled pathway. The path leads to a gabled end of the church, the east elevation. It boasts no windows, simply a single door. The original door was replaced after vandalism to the church and created from wood recycled from another Macraes Flat building. A simple belfry and cross sit atop the gabled corrugated iron roof, which has a 45 degree pitch. The belfry and cross are original and carved from Oamaru stone. Scalloped bargeboards frame the roof. The south elevation contains three lancet windows with clear glass panes held in place in wooden frames. The west elevation is a simple wall with no windows. The north elevation boasts a roughcast vestry with one window, now boarded up, and one external door. There are two other windows set into the nave. The exterior walls appear to be concrete which has had lines drawn onto it to mimic stone masonry. A structural engineer’s report conducted in 2005 noted that the foundations are stone, approximately 1200mm wide. At the north end of the building the footings are on a thin layer of quite solid fill which bears on the original ground. The original ground consists of hard silty clay. Cracks are evident indicating settlement of the exterior corners of the building, particularly around the quoins connecting the south and east elevations. Settlement is minor though as the walls are still effectively plumb. Through the entrance door is a small foyer. The original doors through to the nave have been replaced by carpeted panels. Entrance to the nave is restricted by a wire cage which allows only a narrow corridor of a couple of metres length. This cage is designed to protect the art work which is displayed on the interior wall of the west elevation. Returning outside and then to the exterior door on the north elevation, access is gained to the small Vestry. Access to the nave beyond the cave is accessible via the vestry interior door. The interior is simple and bare. The only feature of note is the very deep wooden window sills which almost form window seats. The simplicity of the church is a fine example of a small rural church, reliant on the congregation and the small local community for its very existence and ongoing survival.
Completion Date
9th September 2010
Report Written By
Susan Irvine
Information Sources
Cyclopedia of New Zealand, 1905
Cyclopedia Company, Industrial, descriptive, historical, biographical facts, figures, illustrations, Wellington, N.Z, 1897-1908, Vol. 4 Otago and Southland, Cyclopedia Company, Christchurch, 1905
Thompson, 1949
Helen Thompson, East of the Rock and Pillar: A History of the Strath Taieri and Macraes District, Otago Centennial Historical Publications, Dunedin, 1949
Dacker, 1994
Bill Dacker, The pain and the love = Te mamae me te aroha : a history of Kai Tahu Whanui in Otago, 1844-1994, Dunedin, University of Otago Press in association with the Dunedin City Council, 1994.
Porter, 1983
Frances Porter (ed), Historic Buildings of Dunedin, South Island, Methuen, Auckland, 1983.
Report Written By
A fully referenced registration report is available from the NZHPT Otago/Southland Area office Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.
Current Usages
Uses: Civic Facilities
Specific Usage: Art Gallery
Uses: Cultural Landscape
Specific Usage: Historic Landscape
Former Usages
General Usage:: Religion
Specific Usage: Church