Until the late 1850s, Collingwood was ministered by travelling missionaries. In 1857 gold was discovered in the Aorere Valley and the town of Collingwood swelled with an influx of miners. Concerned that the crowded area was without permanent religious ministration, the first Bishop of Nelson, Edmund Hobhouse (1817-1904), appointed his former curate, the Reverend R. H. Codrington, to the Golden Bay goldfields. Codrington, who later became a prominent scholar in Melanesian languages, advocated for the erection of a permanent church and acquired the land on which St Cuthbert's Church now stands. Despite the establishment of a building fund by Codrington's successor Reverend Halcombe, the gold rush was short lived and little progress was made on the church. Halcombe learned Te Reo Maori and held services in the whare and schoolhouse. The next vicar Reverend Richard Gaskin, considered a new church to be essential. His death by drowning in 1872 inspired the community to complete the church out of respect for his memory.
Thomas Brunner, who had trained in Oxford, England as an architect and surveyor, designed St Cuthbert's Church shortly before his death in 1874. It was the second church Brunner had designed. However, Brunner is best remembered for his epic explorations into the Nelson region and the West Coast in the 1840s, for which he was awarded a medal from the Royal Geographical Society in 1850.
Built of pit-sawn timber in the English Gothic style that has inspired the design of churches throughout New Zealand, St Cuthbert's Church is a simple, lean-to structure with a small turret bell tower that holds the first bell to be cast in Nelson. The church is based on a simple rectangular plan, although two small bays project from each side of the nave and add interest to the building. The lancet windows at the west end of the church and trefoils on the side walls were donated by the then Bishop of Nelson, Andrew Suter. The steeply pitched roof was covered with shingles that remain underneath their modern, corrugated iron covering. The interior features exposed timber framing.
Constructed by a Mr Grange for £140, St Cuthbert's was described as 'one of the best-built churches in the diocese' upon its completion in 1873. The opening of the church was delayed by the discovery that Bishop Suter had inaccurately surveyed the land on which the church stood and the congregation's desire to reduce the £90 debt on the building. Although no records of the dedication have been found, it is believed that St Cuthbert's was opened before the end of 1873. The church remains close to its original condition and, despite the removal of the vicar to the larger settlement of Takaka in 1973, St Cuthbert's continues to be the focal point of the Anglican community in Collingwood.
St Cuthbert's Church has national significance as a rare example of the architectural skill of Thomas Brunner and the building stands as a memorial to this important surveyor. It is of historical interest for its intimate association with people responsible for the widespread development and strengthening of the Anglican Church in New Zealand and is a reflection of the progress made in the Golden Bay area. St Cuthbert's has technological importance as an example of early timber construction. As the custodian of the first bell cast in Nelson, it reflects the development of industry in the region. It has strong spiritual significance as an enduring place of worship and is a continuing symbol of the Anglican Church in Collingwood. The church is also related to the gold rushes that were a phenomenon of late nineteenth century New Zealand and, as such, provides insight into the ancillary activities that accompanied gold mining. It dates from early period of New Zealand history and, as the oldest building remaining in Collingwood, is of considerable local value.
List Entry Information
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
1626
Date Entered
14th February 1991
Date of Effect
14th February 1991
City/District Council
Tasman District
Region
Tasman Region
Legal description
Lot 1 DP 18207 (RT NL12A/928), Nelson Land District
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
1626
Date Entered
14th February 1991
Date of Effect
14th February 1991
City/District Council
Tasman District
Region
Tasman Region
Legal description
Lot 1 DP 18207 (RT NL12A/928), Nelson Land District
Why is this place significant?
Historic Significance
Historical Significance or Value This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. The following text is from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration: St Cuthbert's Church has served the Anglican community of Collingwood and the surrounding area for 117 years (1873-1990). It was designed by Thomas Brunner, architect and surveyor, who is one of New Zealand's most famous nineteenth century explorers.
Physical Significance
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. The following text is from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration: ARCHITECTURAL QUALITY: St Cuthbert's Church is a fine example of the small wooden Gothic Revival churches built throughout New Zealand in the second half of last century. Well maintained and largely original, it is the oldest building in Collingwood. TOWNSCAPE/LANDMARK VALUE: Although sited on a rise above Collingwood, St Cuthbert's visual prominence is masked by surrounding trees.
Why is this place significant?
Historic Significance
Historical Significance or Value This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. The following text is from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration: St Cuthbert's Church has served the Anglican community of Collingwood and the surrounding area for 117 years (1873-1990). It was designed by Thomas Brunner, architect and surveyor, who is one of New Zealand's most famous nineteenth century explorers.
Physical Significance
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. The following text is from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration: ARCHITECTURAL QUALITY: St Cuthbert's Church is a fine example of the small wooden Gothic Revival churches built throughout New Zealand in the second half of last century. Well maintained and largely original, it is the oldest building in Collingwood. TOWNSCAPE/LANDMARK VALUE: Although sited on a rise above Collingwood, St Cuthbert's visual prominence is masked by surrounding trees.
Construction Professional
Name
P. Graham and Son
Type
Builder
Biography
P. Graham and Son of Christchurch.
Name
Brunner, Thomas
Type
Architect
Biography
Brunner (1821-74) was born at Oxford and on leaving school at the age of fifteen worked for an Oxford architect and surveyor. Arriving in New Zealand in 1841 he was employed by the New Zealand Company, Nelson, initially as a surveying "improver" (apprentice) and then as Assistant Surveyor. He undertook major exploration of the Nelson and West Coast regions, with his epic journey of the West Coast lasting 550 days from 1846-48. The publication of his account of this journey earned him the award of a medal of the Royal Geographical Society. In 1849, unable to find employment in Nelson, Brunner took up the post of Clerk of Works to the Canterbury Association. He returned to Nelson, and in 1851 became Surveyor of Crown Lands. By 1856 he was Chief Surveyor and Commissioner of Public Works and Commissioner of Native Reserves. He retired from this employment in 1869. In retirement he was responsible for the design of St Cuthbert's Church, Collingwood.
Construction Details
Start Year
1982
Type
Restoration
Description
Restoration and repairs
Start Year
1873
Type
Original Construction
Start Year
1890
Type
Modification
Description
Re-roofed with corrugated iron
Type
Modification
Description
Front steps replaced in concrete
Start Year
1978
Type
Modification
Description
Church doors replaced
Start Year
1993
Type
Modification
Description
re-piled
Start Year
2002
Type
Modification
Description
Corrugated iron replaced
Construction Materials
Lean-to structure of pit-sawn timber with a small turret bell tower and a corrugated iron roof. Vertical board and battern cladding used on the nave. The interior features exposed wood framing, rafters and scissor bracing. The walls and ceilings are lined with tongue and groove sarking.
Notable Features
The church bell, which was the first to be cast in Nelson The original shingles, extant over the entire roof and visible under the corrugated iron above the sanctuary Windows gifted by Bishop Suter Interior woodwork.
Construction Professional
Name
P. Graham and Son
Type
Builder
Biography
P. Graham and Son of Christchurch.
Name
Brunner, Thomas
Type
Architect
Biography
Brunner (1821-74) was born at Oxford and on leaving school at the age of fifteen worked for an Oxford architect and surveyor. Arriving in New Zealand in 1841 he was employed by the New Zealand Company, Nelson, initially as a surveying "improver" (apprentice) and then as Assistant Surveyor. He undertook major exploration of the Nelson and West Coast regions, with his epic journey of the West Coast lasting 550 days from 1846-48. The publication of his account of this journey earned him the award of a medal of the Royal Geographical Society. In 1849, unable to find employment in Nelson, Brunner took up the post of Clerk of Works to the Canterbury Association. He returned to Nelson, and in 1851 became Surveyor of Crown Lands. By 1856 he was Chief Surveyor and Commissioner of Public Works and Commissioner of Native Reserves. He retired from this employment in 1869. In retirement he was responsible for the design of St Cuthbert's Church, Collingwood.
Construction Details
Start Year
1982
Type
Restoration
Description
Restoration and repairs
Start Year
1873
Type
Original Construction
Start Year
1890
Type
Modification
Description
Re-roofed with corrugated iron
Type
Modification
Description
Front steps replaced in concrete
Start Year
1978
Type
Modification
Description
Church doors replaced
Start Year
1993
Type
Modification
Description
re-piled
Start Year
2002
Type
Modification
Description
Corrugated iron replaced
Construction Materials
Lean-to structure of pit-sawn timber with a small turret bell tower and a corrugated iron roof. Vertical board and battern cladding used on the nave. The interior features exposed wood framing, rafters and scissor bracing. The walls and ceilings are lined with tongue and groove sarking.
Notable Features
The church bell, which was the first to be cast in Nelson The original shingles, extant over the entire roof and visible under the corrugated iron above the sanctuary Windows gifted by Bishop Suter Interior woodwork.
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. The following text is from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration: DESCRIPTION: The first resident minister in the missionary district of Golden Bay, Reverend R H Codrington, was appointed in 1860. Land on which to build a church was secured that same year, but services were held at a large whare and later at the old Collingwood schoolhouse. Reverend C H J Halcombe was appointed to the parish in 1861 and by the time he left the district in 1871 a building fund had reached about £183. In 1872 Richard Gaskin, a 31 year old student from Bishopdale College, was then appointed to the parish but he was drowned nine months later, on 24 September 1872 and a replacement minister was not appointed for two years. Gaskin had worked towards the construction of the church and tenders had been called in the month of his death. Much timber was pitsawn, and the doors and windows were donated by Bishop Suter. When the building was completed it was discovered that it had been sited partly on church ground and partly on the adjoining section. The opening of the building was postponed until the church was able to purchase the strip of land on to which the building encroached. No records have been found concerning the dedication of the building but this apparently took place late in 1873. Thomas Brunner who trained as an architect and surveyor, designed St Cuthbert's in his retirement. Brunner is best known for his exploration of Nelson and the West Coast and particularly for his journey to the south of Hokitika in 1846.
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. The following text is from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration: DESCRIPTION: The first resident minister in the missionary district of Golden Bay, Reverend R H Codrington, was appointed in 1860. Land on which to build a church was secured that same year, but services were held at a large whare and later at the old Collingwood schoolhouse. Reverend C H J Halcombe was appointed to the parish in 1861 and by the time he left the district in 1871 a building fund had reached about £183. In 1872 Richard Gaskin, a 31 year old student from Bishopdale College, was then appointed to the parish but he was drowned nine months later, on 24 September 1872 and a replacement minister was not appointed for two years. Gaskin had worked towards the construction of the church and tenders had been called in the month of his death. Much timber was pitsawn, and the doors and windows were donated by Bishop Suter. When the building was completed it was discovered that it had been sited partly on church ground and partly on the adjoining section. The opening of the building was postponed until the church was able to purchase the strip of land on to which the building encroached. No records have been found concerning the dedication of the building but this apparently took place late in 1873. Thomas Brunner who trained as an architect and surveyor, designed St Cuthbert's in his retirement. Brunner is best known for his exploration of Nelson and the West Coast and particularly for his journey to the south of Hokitika in 1846.
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. The following text is from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration: ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION: This small wooden Gothic Revival church has an entry porch which is a lean-to structure, with a small square turret bell tower surmounted by a plain cross. The double doors have a single arched window above. The chancel is gabled and has three plain lancet windows at the west end with a lead-lighted trefoil window on each of the side walls. A gabled vestry on the south side of the nave has decorative detailing in the eaves. Its wall cladding differs from that of the main structure of the church. The nave is a simple gabled structure with vertical board and batten cladding. Two small bays project from each side of the nave, roofed by a continuous projection of the main roof. Each bay has a trefoil window. Elsewhere lancet windows, some leaded, are used. The interior has exposed wall framing, rafters and scissor bracing. Walls and ceiling are lined with tongue-and-groove sarking. A pointed archway and communion rail separates the chancel from the nave. MODIFICATIONS: 1890: Re-roofed with corrugated iron. Date Unknown: Front Steps replaced in concrete.
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. The following text is from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration: ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION: This small wooden Gothic Revival church has an entry porch which is a lean-to structure, with a small square turret bell tower surmounted by a plain cross. The double doors have a single arched window above. The chancel is gabled and has three plain lancet windows at the west end with a lead-lighted trefoil window on each of the side walls. A gabled vestry on the south side of the nave has decorative detailing in the eaves. Its wall cladding differs from that of the main structure of the church. The nave is a simple gabled structure with vertical board and batten cladding. Two small bays project from each side of the nave, roofed by a continuous projection of the main roof. Each bay has a trefoil window. Elsewhere lancet windows, some leaded, are used. The interior has exposed wall framing, rafters and scissor bracing. Walls and ceiling are lined with tongue-and-groove sarking. A pointed archway and communion rail separates the chancel from the nave. MODIFICATIONS: 1890: Re-roofed with corrugated iron. Date Unknown: Front Steps replaced in concrete.
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Completion Date
28th February 2003
Report Written By
Rebecca O'Brien
Information Sources
Ault, 1958
H. Ault, The Nelson Narrative; The Story of the Church of England in the Diocese of Nelson, New Zealand, Nelson, 1958
Bowman, 1999
Ian Bowman, 'St Cuthbert's Collingwood; A Cyclical Preventative Maintenance Plan', 1999, NZHPT Library, Wellington
Furkert, 1953
Frederick William Furkert, Early New Zealand Engineers, Wellington, 1953
Golden Bay Times and Argus
Golden Bay Times and Argus
Land Information New Zealand (LINZ)
Land Information New Zealand
McGill, 1997
David McGill and Grant Sheehan, Landmarks: Notable Historic Buildings of New Zealand, Auckland, 1997
Nelson Evening Mail
Nelson Evening Mail
Newport, 1971
J. Newport, Collingwood; A History of the Area from the Earliest Days to 1912, Christchurch, 1971
St Cuthbert's Parish, 1998
St Cuthbert's Parish, St Cuthbert's 125th Anniversary Celebration, 6 December 1998, NZHPT File 12004-115
Temple, 1985
P. Temple, New Zealand Explorers; Great Journeys of Discovery, Christchurch, 1985
Colonist
The Colonist
Porter, 1983
Frances Porter (ed), Historic Buildings of Dunedin, South Island, Methuen, Auckland, 1983.
Other Information
A fully referenced version of this report is available from the NZHPT Central Region office This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes the text from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. 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
28th February 2003
Report Written By
Rebecca O'Brien
Information Sources
Ault, 1958
H. Ault, The Nelson Narrative; The Story of the Church of England in the Diocese of Nelson, New Zealand, Nelson, 1958
Bowman, 1999
Ian Bowman, 'St Cuthbert's Collingwood; A Cyclical Preventative Maintenance Plan', 1999, NZHPT Library, Wellington
Furkert, 1953
Frederick William Furkert, Early New Zealand Engineers, Wellington, 1953
Golden Bay Times and Argus
Golden Bay Times and Argus
Land Information New Zealand (LINZ)
Land Information New Zealand
McGill, 1997
David McGill and Grant Sheehan, Landmarks: Notable Historic Buildings of New Zealand, Auckland, 1997
Nelson Evening Mail
Nelson Evening Mail
Newport, 1971
J. Newport, Collingwood; A History of the Area from the Earliest Days to 1912, Christchurch, 1971
St Cuthbert's Parish, 1998
St Cuthbert's Parish, St Cuthbert's 125th Anniversary Celebration, 6 December 1998, NZHPT File 12004-115
Temple, 1985
P. Temple, New Zealand Explorers; Great Journeys of Discovery, Christchurch, 1985
Colonist
The Colonist
Porter, 1983
Frances Porter (ed), Historic Buildings of Dunedin, South Island, Methuen, Auckland, 1983.
Other Information
A fully referenced version of this report is available from the NZHPT Central Region office This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes the text from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. 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
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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