Early History

 It is hard to believe that the original Anglican parish of Avonside, fixed in 1859, once covered the whole of north east Christchurch as far as the River Styx and included within its boundaries the future parishes and churches of Aranui, Burwood, Linwood, Marshlands, New Brighton, North New Brighton, Parklands and part of Phillipstown. So, this parish started as a largely country one situated in the middle of swampy ground which was somewhat treacherous to travel over in wintry wet conditions. Now the parish boundaries are a great deal smaller and the church is situated in an inner city area of Christchurch.

 In 1857 a church was consecrated here on this site; it was the first church consecrated in Canterbury by Bishop Harper (the first Bishop of Christchurch). However, Church Services were being held in this area from as early as 1855. The Modern Building

 Through the generosity of parishioners and friends, the original cob church building gave way to the present stone structure, which was constructed in stages between 1874 and 1954.

 The foundation of the present structure was laid in 1874. The architect, Benjamin Woolfield Mountfort, was an active member of the parish and had been responsible for additions and alterations to the original building, as well as designing the brick parsonage built in 1864.

 By 1876 a new chancel, organ chamber and transepts had replaced the original ones. These used basalt from Halswell Quarry, with limestone for the dressings, red and black glazed tiles and slate for the roof.

 Although Mountfort produced designs for a complete church with an aisled nave and west tower these were never executed. The nave was completed to a modified design by the architect's son, Cyril, in 1907, but the tower was never built. The principle architectural interest of the church lies in the chancel, which, it is argued, is the finest High Victorian chancel to be found in the Southern Hemisphere.

 Other changes have taken place over the years, including removal of the screen, the addition of the area at the west end (designed by Paul Pascoe) and the re-ordering of the chancel in 1994. The church has been given a Category 1 listing by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.

 Some Things You Will Notice

 Much of the design and furnishing of the church follows tradition brought out to Canterbury by the first English settlers from the Church of England. However, over later years, this land and its people have influenced and shaped both the layout of the church and some of the decoration.

• Windows: Each tells a story. For example, on the south side you will find the sombre depiction of the Crucifixion and then in the Chapel area, the window dedicated in memory of those who lost their life in war. Notice the panels on the east wall, high above the altar. Then around to the north wall you will see a window which was donated in memory of the daughter of Sir Julius and Lady Von Haast. The panels on the west wall are of more modern design and were added when the extension was built.
• Organ: This fine pipe organ was built by the renowned Christchurch Organ Builder E. H. Jenkins in the late 1880s. It is one of his very few surviving instruments, and is valued in excess of $1,000,000. A major overhaul has recently been completed.
• Icon: This Icon follows the Stroganov Tradition, and is based on an incident recorded in Luke's Gospel of Jesus meeting two disciples on the road to Emmaus. It was written in acrylic and presented to the Parish by the Reverend Philip Dyer in 2002. Incorporated within the traditional design are symbolic features which reflect distinctive aspects of Canterbury landscape, such as the Torlesse Range in the background, rivers threading over the Canterbury Plains and fern fronds.
  Some of the graves at the back of the church.
  Full Size Image
• Churchyard: The Lychgate at the northern entrance is the surviving one of a pair built in 1872 to Mountfort's design. The original churchyard included eight acres of trees, garden and buildings. A number of those trees are still standing. The Churchyard reflects pages of the history of Canterbury with crosses and memorial stones dedicated to many early settlers and families buried in the cemetery; these include well-known politicians and public figures of early Canterbury life.