Designed by James Turnbull and built in 1903, Chalmers Church is an example of a sizeable Gothic Revival church constructed in plastered brick. It was Timaru's second Presbyterian church building, built by a breakaway group when the local congregation was divided over prohibition. Chalmers Church gradually became the centre for Presbyterian worship in Timaru. The earlier Trinity Church (1876) has been demolished.



List Entry Information
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 2
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
7107
Date Entered
17th December 1993
Date of Effect
17th December 1993
City/District Council
Timaru District
Region
Canterbury Region
Extent of List Entry
Extent includes the land described as Lot 313 DP 1 (RT CB10/21) and part of the land described as Lot 311 DP 1 (RT CB78/155), Canterbury Land District and the building known as Chalmers Church thereon. Refer to the extent map tabled at the Heritage New Zealand Board meeting on 11 September 2014.
Legal description
Lot 313 DP 1 (RT CB10/21), Lot 311 DP 1 (RT CB78/155), Canterbury Land District
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 2
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
7107
Date Entered
17th December 1993
Date of Effect
17th December 1993
City/District Council
Timaru District
Region
Canterbury Region
Extent of List Entry
Extent includes the land described as Lot 313 DP 1 (RT CB10/21) and part of the land described as Lot 311 DP 1 (RT CB78/155), Canterbury Land District and the building known as Chalmers Church thereon. Refer to the extent map tabled at the Heritage New Zealand Board meeting on 11 September 2014.
Legal description
Lot 313 DP 1 (RT CB10/21), Lot 311 DP 1 (RT CB78/155), Canterbury Land District
Construction Professional
Name
Turnbull, James S
Type
Architect
Biography
James S. Turnbull (1864-1947) worked in a Melbourne architect's office before returning to establish his own practice in Timaru in c.1895. In a career which spanned over forty years, Turnbull designed a wide range of building types in the South Canterbury town, including Chalmers Presbyterian Church (1903-04) and a considerable number of large town houses.
Construction Details
Start Year
1903
Type
Original Construction
Construction Professional
Name
Turnbull, James S
Type
Architect
Biography
James S. Turnbull (1864-1947) worked in a Melbourne architect's office before returning to establish his own practice in Timaru in c.1895. In a career which spanned over forty years, Turnbull designed a wide range of building types in the South Canterbury town, including Chalmers Presbyterian Church (1903-04) and a considerable number of large town houses.
Construction Details
Start Year
1903
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. A copy of the original report is available from the NZHPT Southern region office. 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
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. A copy of the original report is available from the NZHPT Southern region office. 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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