St Augustine's was designed in a Gothic style and is a well-resolved and striking design. Its dominate feature is the central tower, which once formed the base for a spire. When built St Augustine's had the tallest spire in New Zealand, the result of a donation by parishioner Thomas Price. (Price, an owner of a large mill in the Wairarapa and timber yards in Petone, also donated the timber for the church at cost.) The spire was a landmark in the Petone landscape, but it had to be removed in 1954, after being damaged in a storm. Apart from the removal of the spire, the only major alteration to the church was the addition of a Lady Chapel in 1936.
St Augustine's is historically significant as the first church of the Anglican parish of Petone, and has served that community for nearly 100 years. It is associated with the partnership of two notable Wellington architects, Frederick de Jersey Clere and John Swan. Architecturally it is a fine example of a relatively simple Gothic style church. The interior in particular is a very fine space, highlighted by the unpainted timber panelling and joinery. The square is a dominant local landmark, even without its spire.
List Entry Information
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 2
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
1323
Date Entered
23rd June 1983
Date of Effect
23rd June 1983
City/District Council
Hutt City
Region
Wellington Region
Legal description
Lot 2 DP 383386 (RT 332789), Wellington Land District
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 2
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
1323
Date Entered
23rd June 1983
Date of Effect
23rd June 1983
City/District Council
Hutt City
Region
Wellington Region
Legal description
Lot 2 DP 383386 (RT 332789), Wellington Land District
Construction Professional
Name
Clere, Frederick De Jersey
Type
Architect
Biography
Clere (1856-1952) was born in Lancashire, the son of an Anglican clergyman, and was articled to Edmund Scott, an ecclesiastical architect of Brighton. He then became chief assistant to R J Withers, a London architect. Clere came to New Zealand in 1877, practising first in Feilding and then in Wanganui. He later came to Wellington and practised there for 58 years. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1886 and held office for 50 years as one of four honorary secretaries in the Empire. In 1883 he was appointed Diocesan Architect of the Anglican Church; he designed more than 100 churches while he held this position. Clere was a pioneer in reinforced concrete construction; the outstanding example of his work with this material is the Church of St Mary of the Angels (1922), Wellington. As well as being pre-eminent in church design, Clere was responsible for many domestic and commercial buildings including Wellington's Harbour Board Offices and Bond Store (1891) and Overton in Marton. Clere was also involved in the design of large woolsheds in Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa. He was active in the formation of the New Zealand Institute of Architects and served on their council for many years. He was a member of the Wellington City Council until 1895, and from 1900 a member of the Wellington Diocesan Synod and the General Synod. He was also a member of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts.
Construction Details
Start Year
1902
Finish Year
1903
Type
Original Construction
Start Year
1936
Type
Addition
Description
Lady Chapel built
Start Year
1954
Type
Modification
Description
Spire removed
Construction Professional
Name
Clere, Frederick De Jersey
Type
Architect
Biography
Clere (1856-1952) was born in Lancashire, the son of an Anglican clergyman, and was articled to Edmund Scott, an ecclesiastical architect of Brighton. He then became chief assistant to R J Withers, a London architect. Clere came to New Zealand in 1877, practising first in Feilding and then in Wanganui. He later came to Wellington and practised there for 58 years. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1886 and held office for 50 years as one of four honorary secretaries in the Empire. In 1883 he was appointed Diocesan Architect of the Anglican Church; he designed more than 100 churches while he held this position. Clere was a pioneer in reinforced concrete construction; the outstanding example of his work with this material is the Church of St Mary of the Angels (1922), Wellington. As well as being pre-eminent in church design, Clere was responsible for many domestic and commercial buildings including Wellington's Harbour Board Offices and Bond Store (1891) and Overton in Marton. Clere was also involved in the design of large woolsheds in Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa. He was active in the formation of the New Zealand Institute of Architects and served on their council for many years. He was a member of the Wellington City Council until 1895, and from 1900 a member of the Wellington Diocesan Synod and the General Synod. He was also a member of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts.
Construction Details
Start Year
1902
Finish Year
1903
Type
Original Construction
Start Year
1936
Type
Addition
Description
Lady Chapel built
Start Year
1954
Type
Modification
Description
Spire removed
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Completion Date
4th February 2002
Report Written By
Helen McCracken
Information Sources
Bowman, 1996
Ian Bowman, 'St Augustine's Petone, Lower Hutt. A plan for its conservation', February 1996, Held at NZHPT, Wellington.
Butterworth, 1988
Susan Butterworth, 'Petone, A history', Auckland, 1988
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 Central 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.
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Completion Date
4th February 2002
Report Written By
Helen McCracken
Information Sources
Bowman, 1996
Ian Bowman, 'St Augustine's Petone, Lower Hutt. A plan for its conservation', February 1996, Held at NZHPT, Wellington.
Butterworth, 1988
Susan Butterworth, 'Petone, A history', Auckland, 1988
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 Central 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.
Current Usages
Uses: Religion
Specific Usage: Church
Current Usages
Uses: Religion
Specific Usage: Church
