Reverend William Johnstone preached the first Presbyterian sermon in Oamaru to the faithful seated on wool sacks and bales in Hassell’s woolshed on Thames Street in February 1860. Architects Mason and Clayton designed the first St Paul’s Presbyterian Church, consecrated by the Reverend Thomas Burns on 9 April 1865, the building known as the ‘Scotch Church’. By 1869, the second minister, Reverend Alexander Todd, was struggling with an overcrowded church.
The congregation formed a building committee and engaged Oamaru architect Thomas Forrester to design a new church building, reusing and incorporating, as much as possible, the structure and materials from the old church. Stone masons D. Miller and Company built Forrester’s ‘Early English’ style church. The new church was consecrated on 20 February 1876. Architectural historian Conal McCarthy writes that while following the English Gothic Revival style, the plan and form of St Paul’s copy R.A. Lawson’s First Church, Dunedin. The cruciform plan was ‘adapted to the requirements of congregational worship’, stressing preaching, with the 600-700 worshippers facing the pulpit. The North Otago Times described the new church as ‘one of the handsomest, if not the most handsome, building in Oamaru.’ The exterior was ‘exceptionally fine’ with its decorative stone work and belfry with an octagonal tower. The interior, with its nave, two transepts, a vestry and session room, was noted for the use of kauri, the fine kauri pulpit, the decorative stone tracery and the traceried and stained glass windows.
A two-manual pipe organ was installed in 1892. In 1909, the spire was taken down and rebuilt. In 1913, in anticipation of the jubilee, the church was renovated and repairs made to the stone work.
Over the years, memorial stained glass windows have been added. The Ladies’ Guild contributed largely to the cost of a memorial window to those who lost their lives in World War One. Later memorial windows are dedicated to the Reverend Dr Paterson, minister from 1939 to 1944, who died unexpectedly, and to those who died in World War Two. The stained glass windows of St Paul’s are impressive. They span one hundred years of church life, the first dedicated in 1876, and the latest in 1976. The windows are traditional in design, depicting stories of the life of Jesus. The memorial windows are dedicated to people and outstanding events in the life of the congregation. The beautiful imagery and the play of light and colour contrast with the white stone.
The centenary of the parish saw alterations to and cleaning of the interior, the rebuilding of the organ, and the addition of further stained glass windows. The church was rededicated on 16 September 1962. The centennial of the church itself saw the installation and dedication of the Gilchrist Memorial window.
In 2007, the exterior of the church was restored, with a grant from the Otago/Southland synod. The decorative stonework, some of which was eroding, needed restored.
In 2015, St Paul’s Presbyterian Church remains the spiritual centre for Presbyterian worship and a landmark building in Oamaru.
List Entry Information
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
2300
Date Entered
7th April 1983
Date of Effect
7th April 1983
City/District Council
Waitaki District
Region
Otago Region
Extent of List Entry
Extent includes the land described as Sec 7 Blk V Town of Oamaru (RT OT241/202), Otago Land District, and the building known as St Paul’s Presbyterian Church thereon.
Legal description
Sec 7 Blk V Town of Oamaru (RT OT241/202), Otago Land District
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
2300
Date Entered
7th April 1983
Date of Effect
7th April 1983
City/District Council
Waitaki District
Region
Otago Region
Extent of List Entry
Extent includes the land described as Sec 7 Blk V Town of Oamaru (RT OT241/202), Otago Land District, and the building known as St Paul’s Presbyterian Church thereon.
Legal description
Sec 7 Blk V Town of Oamaru (RT OT241/202), Otago Land District
Why is this place significant?
Cultural Significance
Cultural: Presbyterian worship Social: The church replaced an earlier (1864-65) church which had become too small within only eight years of its completion, reflecting the growth in population Spiritual: Presbyterian faith.
Historic Significance
Historical Significance or Value Historical: The church is the mother church of Presbyterianism in North Otago
Physical Significance
Aesthetic: The church has a coherent and well resolved design which makes a contribution to the streetscape Archaeological: The church is built on the site of an earlier (1864-65) church Architectural: It is an outstanding example of the Gothic Revival style adapted to suit the requirements of the Presbyterian church and constructed of Oamaru limestone
Why is this place Category 1 / Category 2?
Detail Of Assessed Criteria
The following comments are made in relation to the criteria identified under section 23(2) of the Historic Places Act 1993: (g) The technical accomplishment or value, or design of the place: St Paul's is an outstanding example of the Gothic Revival style adapted to suit the requirements of the Presbyterian church and constructed of Oamaru limestone. It was designed by Thomas Forrester and built in 1874-76. It can be considered within the sphere of Forrester's extensive portfolio and alongside other Gothic Revival churches dating from a similar period. A Scotsman himself, Forrester worked under Mason and Clayton and then R. A. Lawson in Dunedin before entering partnership with John Lemon in Oamaru in 1872. Forrester was responsible for most of the design work. The partnership made an enormous contribution to Oamaru's nineteenth century character. They were particularly known for their commercial and public buildings and designed only three churches. In his thesis on the architecture of Forrester and Lemon, P.A. McCarthy states their "major achievement was the virtual creation of the Oamaru townscape during the key period of the town's growth and prosperity" (p.vii), and of their commercial work "references from Renaissance, Baroque, Venetian and Palladian sources, were generally referred to by contemporaries as 'Italianate'" (p.42) Thomas Forrester is largely known for his Italian Renaissance Palazzo style buildings, and is not so well known for his designs in other historical styles such as, eg: Jacobethan Collegiate, as found at Waitaki Boys High or Gothic Revival, as found at St Paul's and at St Luke's, Oamaru, where he was associated with the design. Examples of Forrester and Lemon's commercial and public work includes Oamaru's Custom House (1883-84, Category I), Criterion Hotel (1877, Category I), Courthouse (1882, Category I), the former AMP Society building (1871-86, Category I), Harbour Board Office (1876, Category I), the Union Bank of Australia (1878, Category I) and Waitaki Boys' High School Main Block (1881-83, Category I). Of his other two churches, a "Corinthian Grecian" building for the Emmanuel Congregational Church (1882) was demolished in 1912 and Columba's Church (1881-83) is of a conservative Classical design which follows Glaswegian Presbyterian precedents. St Paul's is a very finely executed essay in Ecclesiological Gothic. On these grounds alone, there is no doubt that the place increases our understanding and appreciation of Forrester's work. The quality of the tracery and handling of Gothic detail is particularly impressive. Perhaps more importantly, given the serious purpose of Ecclesiological Gothic the feature that stands out at St Paul's is its Romantic and even light hearted quality. It is interesting to note that the original design of St Paul's proposed a tower on the main facade, and had the tower been built the appearance of the church would have been much more sober and infinitely more conventional and solemn than it is now. By virtue of circumstance, however, the tower was not built and instead a tourelle, or little tower, was built in place of the proposed tower projecting out from the angle of the nave and front gable. In hindsight it can be argued that this was a happy circumstance for the design of the church, since Forrester has given the tourelle a very Romantic touch by placing on it a tall slated polygonal roof with a little lancet gallery beneath in which to hang a bell. It is the sort of tower found more often on Gothic Revival buildings in Germany and France, and in a literary context the appearance of tourelles and bartizans like the one on St Paul's, found favour with Romantics like the brothers Grimm, or King Ludwig II of Bavaria who commissioned Neuschwanstein to be built as a Gothic Wagnerian fantasy. The latter building is well known for its characteristic towers, tourelles and bartizans. Of sizeable ecclesiastical buildings currently classified in Oamaru, the Classical St Patrick's (Catholic) Basilica (1894, 1903 and 1918) and Gothic Revival St Luke's (Anglican) Church (1865-66, 1875-76, 1913 and 1922) are both Category I. Like St Paul's both are constructed of Oamaru limestone. St Luke's has been described as "an accurate translation of Ecclesiologists principles to colonial conditions, and ... contrast(ing) ... Thomas Forrester's much freer interpretation of the Gothic style (at St Paul's)" (McCarthy, p.78). This "freer interpretation" is appropriate for a Presbyterian church as opposed to the Anglican denomination with which High Victorian Early English Gothic is often associated. The cruciform plan is adapted to the requirements of congregational worship and has a front porch. By Gothic standards the pitch of the roof is somewhat splayed and gives a feeling of airiness which is contrasted by the steep gable of the front porch. Due to financial constrains there is no tower. Carvings by stonemason Gustav Deihl contrast the simplicity encouraged by the Ecclesiologists. Internally, the arched bracing of the rafters alludes to a vault. Stained glass windows are in fourteen groups dating from 1876 to 1976 and allow a play of coloured natural light on the pale limestone walls. The building is well crafted and the use of lancet arches, trefoils, quatrefoils and sexfoils is consistent. Two outstanding (Category I) Gothic Revival Presbyterian churches are First Church (1865-73), Dunedin, and Knox Church (completed 1876), Dunedin. Both were designed by R. A. Lawson and are considerably more uplifting than St Paul's with soaring towers and the repeated use of pinnacles. Of other denominations, Holy Trinity (Anglican) Church, Avonside, Christchurch (1874077, 1905, Category I), St Matthew's (Anglican) Church, Dunedin (1874, Category I), and the Fortune Theatre (former Methodist Church), Dunedin (1869-70, Category I), can also be considered in assessing St Paul's, Oamaru. CONCLUSION: As a result of its technological value as seen in its architectural design, St Paul's is deserving of Category I registration. Designed by Thomas Forrester and built in 1874-76, it is an outstanding example of the Gothic Revival style adapted to suit the requirements of the Presbyterian church and constructed of Oamaru limestone. Other criteria contribute to its overall significance but are not considered to be outstanding individually.
Why is this place significant?
Cultural Significance
Cultural: Presbyterian worship Social: The church replaced an earlier (1864-65) church which had become too small within only eight years of its completion, reflecting the growth in population Spiritual: Presbyterian faith.
Historic Significance
Historical Significance or Value Historical: The church is the mother church of Presbyterianism in North Otago
Physical Significance
Aesthetic: The church has a coherent and well resolved design which makes a contribution to the streetscape Archaeological: The church is built on the site of an earlier (1864-65) church Architectural: It is an outstanding example of the Gothic Revival style adapted to suit the requirements of the Presbyterian church and constructed of Oamaru limestone
Why is this place Category 1 / Category 2?
Detail Of Assessed Criteria
The following comments are made in relation to the criteria identified under section 23(2) of the Historic Places Act 1993: (g) The technical accomplishment or value, or design of the place: St Paul's is an outstanding example of the Gothic Revival style adapted to suit the requirements of the Presbyterian church and constructed of Oamaru limestone. It was designed by Thomas Forrester and built in 1874-76. It can be considered within the sphere of Forrester's extensive portfolio and alongside other Gothic Revival churches dating from a similar period. A Scotsman himself, Forrester worked under Mason and Clayton and then R. A. Lawson in Dunedin before entering partnership with John Lemon in Oamaru in 1872. Forrester was responsible for most of the design work. The partnership made an enormous contribution to Oamaru's nineteenth century character. They were particularly known for their commercial and public buildings and designed only three churches. In his thesis on the architecture of Forrester and Lemon, P.A. McCarthy states their "major achievement was the virtual creation of the Oamaru townscape during the key period of the town's growth and prosperity" (p.vii), and of their commercial work "references from Renaissance, Baroque, Venetian and Palladian sources, were generally referred to by contemporaries as 'Italianate'" (p.42) Thomas Forrester is largely known for his Italian Renaissance Palazzo style buildings, and is not so well known for his designs in other historical styles such as, eg: Jacobethan Collegiate, as found at Waitaki Boys High or Gothic Revival, as found at St Paul's and at St Luke's, Oamaru, where he was associated with the design. Examples of Forrester and Lemon's commercial and public work includes Oamaru's Custom House (1883-84, Category I), Criterion Hotel (1877, Category I), Courthouse (1882, Category I), the former AMP Society building (1871-86, Category I), Harbour Board Office (1876, Category I), the Union Bank of Australia (1878, Category I) and Waitaki Boys' High School Main Block (1881-83, Category I). Of his other two churches, a "Corinthian Grecian" building for the Emmanuel Congregational Church (1882) was demolished in 1912 and Columba's Church (1881-83) is of a conservative Classical design which follows Glaswegian Presbyterian precedents. St Paul's is a very finely executed essay in Ecclesiological Gothic. On these grounds alone, there is no doubt that the place increases our understanding and appreciation of Forrester's work. The quality of the tracery and handling of Gothic detail is particularly impressive. Perhaps more importantly, given the serious purpose of Ecclesiological Gothic the feature that stands out at St Paul's is its Romantic and even light hearted quality. It is interesting to note that the original design of St Paul's proposed a tower on the main facade, and had the tower been built the appearance of the church would have been much more sober and infinitely more conventional and solemn than it is now. By virtue of circumstance, however, the tower was not built and instead a tourelle, or little tower, was built in place of the proposed tower projecting out from the angle of the nave and front gable. In hindsight it can be argued that this was a happy circumstance for the design of the church, since Forrester has given the tourelle a very Romantic touch by placing on it a tall slated polygonal roof with a little lancet gallery beneath in which to hang a bell. It is the sort of tower found more often on Gothic Revival buildings in Germany and France, and in a literary context the appearance of tourelles and bartizans like the one on St Paul's, found favour with Romantics like the brothers Grimm, or King Ludwig II of Bavaria who commissioned Neuschwanstein to be built as a Gothic Wagnerian fantasy. The latter building is well known for its characteristic towers, tourelles and bartizans. Of sizeable ecclesiastical buildings currently classified in Oamaru, the Classical St Patrick's (Catholic) Basilica (1894, 1903 and 1918) and Gothic Revival St Luke's (Anglican) Church (1865-66, 1875-76, 1913 and 1922) are both Category I. Like St Paul's both are constructed of Oamaru limestone. St Luke's has been described as "an accurate translation of Ecclesiologists principles to colonial conditions, and ... contrast(ing) ... Thomas Forrester's much freer interpretation of the Gothic style (at St Paul's)" (McCarthy, p.78). This "freer interpretation" is appropriate for a Presbyterian church as opposed to the Anglican denomination with which High Victorian Early English Gothic is often associated. The cruciform plan is adapted to the requirements of congregational worship and has a front porch. By Gothic standards the pitch of the roof is somewhat splayed and gives a feeling of airiness which is contrasted by the steep gable of the front porch. Due to financial constrains there is no tower. Carvings by stonemason Gustav Deihl contrast the simplicity encouraged by the Ecclesiologists. Internally, the arched bracing of the rafters alludes to a vault. Stained glass windows are in fourteen groups dating from 1876 to 1976 and allow a play of coloured natural light on the pale limestone walls. The building is well crafted and the use of lancet arches, trefoils, quatrefoils and sexfoils is consistent. Two outstanding (Category I) Gothic Revival Presbyterian churches are First Church (1865-73), Dunedin, and Knox Church (completed 1876), Dunedin. Both were designed by R. A. Lawson and are considerably more uplifting than St Paul's with soaring towers and the repeated use of pinnacles. Of other denominations, Holy Trinity (Anglican) Church, Avonside, Christchurch (1874077, 1905, Category I), St Matthew's (Anglican) Church, Dunedin (1874, Category I), and the Fortune Theatre (former Methodist Church), Dunedin (1869-70, Category I), can also be considered in assessing St Paul's, Oamaru. CONCLUSION: As a result of its technological value as seen in its architectural design, St Paul's is deserving of Category I registration. Designed by Thomas Forrester and built in 1874-76, it is an outstanding example of the Gothic Revival style adapted to suit the requirements of the Presbyterian church and constructed of Oamaru limestone. Other criteria contribute to its overall significance but are not considered to be outstanding individually.
Construction Professional
Name
Forrester, Thomas
Type
Architect
Biography
Born in Glasgow and educated at the Glasgow School of Art, Thomas Forrester (1838-1907) emigrated to New Zealand in 1861 with some experience in building construction, particularly plasterwork. Settling in Dunedin he worked under William Mason (1810-97) and William Henry Clayton (1823-77) and later Robert Arthur Lawson (1833-1902). In 1865 he superintended the Dunedin Exhibition and in 1870 was employed by the Otago Provincial Government to supervise borings for the Waitaki road and rail bridge. In 1872 Forrester entered partnership with John Lemon (1828-90) in Oamaru. Forrester was responsible for most of the design work while Lemon administered the practice. Among their many designs were St Paul's Church (1875-76), the Harbour Board Offices (1876), Queen's (later Brydone) Hotel (1881), Waitaki Boys' High School (1883), The Courthouse (1883) and the Post Office (1883-84). They contributed greatly to Oamaru's nineteenth century character. On Lemon's death in 1890 the practice was taken over by Forrester's son, John Megget Forrester (1865-1965). From 1870 Forrester became involved with the supervision of harbour works and some time after 1885 he became Engineer to the Oamaru Harbour Board. In this capacity he designed the repairs to the breakwater following storm damage in 1886 and later the Holmes Wharf. On his death in 1907 he was still in the employ of the Harbour Board. Forrester is also believed to have prepared the first geological maps of New Zealand under the direction of Sir James Hector (1834-1907).
Name
West and Sinclair
Type
Builder
Biography
No biography is currently available for this construction professional
Name
Miller, White & Dunn (architects)
Type
Architect
Biography
No biography is currently available for this construction professional
Name
D. Miller & Co.
Type
Stonemason
Biography
No biography is currently available for this construction professional
Name
Gustave Diehl
Type
Stonemason
Biography
No biography is currently available for this construction professional
Name
Godfrey and Miller
Type
Stonemason
Biography
No biography is currently available for this construction professional
Name
John Brock
Type
Designer
Biography
No biography is currently available for this construction professional
Name
W.A. Raffills
Type
Designer
Biography
No biography is currently available for this construction professional
Name
Smith & Smith
Type
Designer
Biography
No biography is currently available for this construction professional
Construction Details
Start Year
1876
Type
Original Construction
Description
Current St Paul’s Church consecrated
Start Year
1892
Type
Other
Description
Pipe organ installed
Start Year
1909
Type
Structural upgrade
Description
Spire taken down and rebuilt
Start Year
1923
Type
Original Construction
Description
Heating system installed
Start Year
1924
Type
Other
Description
World War One memorial windows installed
Start Year
1949
Type
Other
Description
Memorial windows to Dr Paterson and to those who had lost their lives in World War Two installed
Start Year
1951
Finish Year
1952
Type
Structural upgrade
Description
Spire rebuilt with internal strengthening frame
Start Year
1954
Type
Restoration
Description
Extensive restoration programme for centenary
Start Year
1865
Type
Other
Description
First St Paul’s Church built
Construction Professional
Name
Forrester, Thomas
Type
Architect
Biography
Born in Glasgow and educated at the Glasgow School of Art, Thomas Forrester (1838-1907) emigrated to New Zealand in 1861 with some experience in building construction, particularly plasterwork. Settling in Dunedin he worked under William Mason (1810-97) and William Henry Clayton (1823-77) and later Robert Arthur Lawson (1833-1902). In 1865 he superintended the Dunedin Exhibition and in 1870 was employed by the Otago Provincial Government to supervise borings for the Waitaki road and rail bridge. In 1872 Forrester entered partnership with John Lemon (1828-90) in Oamaru. Forrester was responsible for most of the design work while Lemon administered the practice. Among their many designs were St Paul's Church (1875-76), the Harbour Board Offices (1876), Queen's (later Brydone) Hotel (1881), Waitaki Boys' High School (1883), The Courthouse (1883) and the Post Office (1883-84). They contributed greatly to Oamaru's nineteenth century character. On Lemon's death in 1890 the practice was taken over by Forrester's son, John Megget Forrester (1865-1965). From 1870 Forrester became involved with the supervision of harbour works and some time after 1885 he became Engineer to the Oamaru Harbour Board. In this capacity he designed the repairs to the breakwater following storm damage in 1886 and later the Holmes Wharf. On his death in 1907 he was still in the employ of the Harbour Board. Forrester is also believed to have prepared the first geological maps of New Zealand under the direction of Sir James Hector (1834-1907).
Name
West and Sinclair
Type
Builder
Biography
No biography is currently available for this construction professional
Name
Miller, White & Dunn (architects)
Type
Architect
Biography
No biography is currently available for this construction professional
Name
D. Miller & Co.
Type
Stonemason
Biography
No biography is currently available for this construction professional
Name
Gustave Diehl
Type
Stonemason
Biography
No biography is currently available for this construction professional
Name
Godfrey and Miller
Type
Stonemason
Biography
No biography is currently available for this construction professional
Name
John Brock
Type
Designer
Biography
No biography is currently available for this construction professional
Name
W.A. Raffills
Type
Designer
Biography
No biography is currently available for this construction professional
Name
Smith & Smith
Type
Designer
Biography
No biography is currently available for this construction professional
Construction Details
Start Year
1876
Type
Original Construction
Description
Current St Paul’s Church consecrated
Start Year
1892
Type
Other
Description
Pipe organ installed
Start Year
1909
Type
Structural upgrade
Description
Spire taken down and rebuilt
Start Year
1923
Type
Original Construction
Description
Heating system installed
Start Year
1924
Type
Other
Description
World War One memorial windows installed
Start Year
1949
Type
Other
Description
Memorial windows to Dr Paterson and to those who had lost their lives in World War Two installed
Start Year
1951
Finish Year
1952
Type
Structural upgrade
Description
Spire rebuilt with internal strengthening frame
Start Year
1954
Type
Restoration
Description
Extensive restoration programme for centenary
Start Year
1865
Type
Other
Description
First St Paul’s Church built
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Completion Date
23rd September 2015
Report Written By
Heather Bauchop
Information Sources
McCarthy, 2002
Conal McCarthy, Forrester and Lemon of Oamaru, architects, Oamaru, 2002
Ministry for Culture and Heritage
www.nzhistory.net.nz
New Zealand Historic Places
New Zealand Historic Places
North Otago Times
North Otago Times
McCarthy, 1986
P C McCarthy, Victorian Oamaru: The Architecture of Forrester and Lemon, Thesis, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, 1986
Muirhead, 1988
Syd Muirhead, St Paul’s 125th Anniversary, [Oamaru, 1988]
Muirhead and Coker, 2012
Syd Muirhead and Harold Coker, ‘Treasure trove Of Memories: As every picture Tells a story: A view of the beautiful windows at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church together with their description and history’ [Oamaru, 2012]
Other Information
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. This report includes text from the original Proposal for Registration 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. A fully referenced upgrade report is available on request from the Otago/Southland Office of Heritage New Zealand
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Completion Date
23rd September 2015
Report Written By
Heather Bauchop
Information Sources
McCarthy, 2002
Conal McCarthy, Forrester and Lemon of Oamaru, architects, Oamaru, 2002
Ministry for Culture and Heritage
www.nzhistory.net.nz
New Zealand Historic Places
New Zealand Historic Places
North Otago Times
North Otago Times
McCarthy, 1986
P C McCarthy, Victorian Oamaru: The Architecture of Forrester and Lemon, Thesis, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, 1986
Muirhead, 1988
Syd Muirhead, St Paul’s 125th Anniversary, [Oamaru, 1988]
Muirhead and Coker, 2012
Syd Muirhead and Harold Coker, ‘Treasure trove Of Memories: As every picture Tells a story: A view of the beautiful windows at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church together with their description and history’ [Oamaru, 2012]
Other Information
This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. This report includes text from the original Proposal for Registration 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. A fully referenced upgrade report is available on request from the Otago/Southland Office of Heritage New Zealand
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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