From 1864 worship in Hampden was led by Reverend W. Johnston from Port Chalmers who travelled on horseback every three months to minister to the flock at Otepopo and Hampden. When St Paul’s in Oamaru became a separate charge, Hampden became an out-station and Reverend Charles Connor conducted services in the schoolroom. In 1869 Hampden was declared a separate charge and separated from the Otepopo parish and a church was built.
The parish engaged Dunedin architect Robert Arthur Lawson to design the church and instructed him to build a church to seat 150 worshippers at a cost of not more than £500. Lawson advertised for tenders in January 1869. The parish accepted the £640 tender of Hunter and Goodfellow to complete the church and also agreed to cart the 114 tons of building materials to the site. A manse was built on an adjoining glebe. The church is built from local stone – Limestone from Hampden and Kakanui on foundations of Moeraki blue stone, and has a slate roof. The nave end windows have stone tracery. The stone for the main body of the church was of contrasting colours – the honey-coloured Hampden freestone was a darker contrast to the white Kakanui stone. The opening service was held on 27 March 1870. The first minister was Reverend James Baird. For many years the church served its community and was also committed to overseas mission work. Youth work was also prominent with Bible Classes and Sunday School.
The parish stood alone until 1930 when it was temporarily amalgamated with the Otepopo-Kakanui parish. It separated again in 1965. By 1970 these parishes had been amalgamated. Some alterations have been completed to the interior over the years funded by bequests from parish members. The bequests also permitted the church to have new furnishings. A hall was moved to the grounds in 1955 when the church bought the old Borough Council Chambers and moved them to the grounds. In later years these facilities were extended.
By 2010, the church was no longer used for weekly worship, but instead used for services at Christmas and Easter as well as weddings and funerals. The parish’s board of management considered that the church was no longer needed for regular worship and talked with the community about the future of the building. In 2011 a steering group was formed to seek new uses for the church and hall. In 2016, the Hampden Presbyterian Church is still owned by the church and is used for occasional services and community events.
List Entry Information
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 2
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
3249
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 Secs 1-2 Blk XXVIII Town of Hampden (RT OT215/130), Otago Land District and the building known as Hampden Presbyterian Church thereon. The List entry does not include the hall.
Legal description
Secs 1-2 Blk XXVIII Town of Hampden (RT OT215/130), Otago Land District
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 2
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
3249
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 Secs 1-2 Blk XXVIII Town of Hampden (RT OT215/130), Otago Land District and the building known as Hampden Presbyterian Church thereon. The List entry does not include the hall.
Legal description
Secs 1-2 Blk XXVIII Town of Hampden (RT OT215/130), Otago Land District
Construction Professional
Name
Lawson, Robert Arthur
Type
Architect
Biography
Born in Scotland, Lawson (1833-1902) began his professional career in Perth. At the age of 25 he moved to Melbourne and was engaged in goldmining and journalism before resuming architectural practice. In 1862 Lawson sailed for Dunedin, where his sketch plans had won the competition for the design of First Church. This was built 1867-73. Lawson went on to become one of the most important architects in New Zealand. First Church is regarded as his masterpiece and one of the finest nineteenth century churches in New Zealand. He was also responsible for the design of the Trinity Church (now Fortune Theatre), Dunedin (1869-70), the East Taieri Presbyterian Church (1870), and Knox Church, Dunedin (1874). He designed Park's School (1864) and the ANZ Bank (originally Union Bank, 1874). In Oamaru he designed the Bank of Otago (later National Bank building, 1870) and the adjoining Bank of New South Wales (now Forrester Gallery, 1881). See also: Ledgerwood, Norman, 2013. 'R.A. Lawson: Victorian Architect of Dunedin'. Historic Cemeteries Conservation NZ.
Construction Details
Start Year
1869
Finish Year
1870
Type
Original Construction
Start Year
1955
Type
Additional building added to site
Description
Borough Council Chambers moved on site as a hall
Construction Professional
Name
Lawson, Robert Arthur
Type
Architect
Biography
Born in Scotland, Lawson (1833-1902) began his professional career in Perth. At the age of 25 he moved to Melbourne and was engaged in goldmining and journalism before resuming architectural practice. In 1862 Lawson sailed for Dunedin, where his sketch plans had won the competition for the design of First Church. This was built 1867-73. Lawson went on to become one of the most important architects in New Zealand. First Church is regarded as his masterpiece and one of the finest nineteenth century churches in New Zealand. He was also responsible for the design of the Trinity Church (now Fortune Theatre), Dunedin (1869-70), the East Taieri Presbyterian Church (1870), and Knox Church, Dunedin (1874). He designed Park's School (1864) and the ANZ Bank (originally Union Bank, 1874). In Oamaru he designed the Bank of Otago (later National Bank building, 1870) and the adjoining Bank of New South Wales (now Forrester Gallery, 1881). See also: Ledgerwood, Norman, 2013. 'R.A. Lawson: Victorian Architect of Dunedin'. Historic Cemeteries Conservation NZ.
Construction Details
Start Year
1869
Finish Year
1870
Type
Original Construction
Start Year
1955
Type
Additional building added to site
Description
Borough Council Chambers moved on site as a hall
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Completion Date
17th January 2017
Report Written By
Heather Bauchop
Information Sources
Oamaru Mail
22 Mar 1882, p. 2.
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 Otago/Southland 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. A fully referenced upgrade report is available on request from the Otago/Soutland Area Office of Heritage New Zealand.
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Completion Date
17th January 2017
Report Written By
Heather Bauchop
Information Sources
Oamaru Mail
22 Mar 1882, p. 2.
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 Otago/Southland 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. A fully referenced upgrade report is available on request from the Otago/Soutland Area Office of Heritage New Zealand.
Current Usages
Uses: Religion
Specific Usage: Church
Current Usages
Uses: Religion
Specific Usage: Church
Location
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