Built in 1864 St Patrick's Church is attractively site below L'Aube Hill near sites of two earlier Catholic churches.
The original clay and timber church built on L'Abue Hill in 1840 was the first church in the South Island. It was destroyed by fire in 1842 and the replacement weatherboard church built the following year was blown down in 1849.
Father Chataigner supervised the building of St Patrick's using a design by B W Mountfort, a leading church architect and his partner Maxwell Bury. It was clad in Totara with locally hewn Matai used for framing. In 1883 the interior was lined and painted and three years later a porch was added. In 1893 the sloping sided tower was built and an Italian bell installed.
The interior of the church has a fine wooden altar and a 1930's Munich crafted window depicting The Crucifixion.
St Patrick's Church is beautifully proportioned with stepped bargeboards and an offset spire which contributes to the Gallic feeling. It is a unique building which makes a significant contribution to Akaroa's townscape.
List Entry Information
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
266
Date Entered
2nd April 1985
Date of Effect
2nd April 1985
City/District Council
Christchurch City
Region
Canterbury Region
Extent of List Entry
Extent includes part of the land described as Lot 2 DP 41800 (RT 526642), Canterbury Land District and the building known as St Patrick's Church (Catholic) thereon. Refer to the extent map tabled at the Heritage New Zealand Board meeting on 11 December 2014.
Legal description
Lot 2 DP 41800 (RT 526642), Canterbury Land District
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
266
Date Entered
2nd April 1985
Date of Effect
2nd April 1985
City/District Council
Christchurch City
Region
Canterbury Region
Extent of List Entry
Extent includes part of the land described as Lot 2 DP 41800 (RT 526642), Canterbury Land District and the building known as St Patrick's Church (Catholic) thereon. Refer to the extent map tabled at the Heritage New Zealand Board meeting on 11 December 2014.
Legal description
Lot 2 DP 41800 (RT 526642), Canterbury Land District
Construction Details
Start Year
1864
Type
Original Construction
Construction Details
Start Year
1864
Type
Original Construction
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Other Information
This place was identified as significant under previous legislation with different information requirements. It remains significant under the current legislation. There is opportunity under our legislation and policies to add to this information. Further information about this place may be available from the Southern Regional Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. 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. This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. The following text is the original citation considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Information in square brackets indicate modifications made after the paper was considered by the NZHPT Board.
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Other Information
This place was identified as significant under previous legislation with different information requirements. It remains significant under the current legislation. There is opportunity under our legislation and policies to add to this information. Further information about this place may be available from the Southern Regional Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. 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. This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. The following text is the original citation considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Information in square brackets indicate modifications made after the paper was considered by the NZHPT Board.
Current Usages
Uses: Religion
Specific Usage: Church
Former Usages
General Usage: Religion
Specific Usage: Church
Current Usages
Uses: Religion
Specific Usage: Church
Former Usages
General Usage: Religion
Specific Usage: Church
Location
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