The Churches of Waimate, South Canterbury

The St Marys on State Highway 1 at Makikihi was made of Quinn bricks which came from the factory nearby.

Evening Post, 9 June 1903, Page 5
WAIMATE, 8th June. Bishop Grimes opened the new Catholic Church at Makikihi on Sunday. The day was beautifully fine, and the ceremony was largely attended, representatives from every port of this portion of the county being present. The collection amounted to £156, made up of small donations. The new building is of brick and stone, and is commodious for a country church. The Bishop is being entertained at a "social" this evening by the Waimate parishioners, who will present him with a donation towards the Cathedral fund.

Evening Post, 7 October 1902, Page 5
WAIMATE, 6th October. The foundation stone of the new Catholic Church at Makikihi was laid on Sunday afternoon by Bishop Grimes. Mr. Nicholas Quinn gave the site and £200 towards the cost of erection. The collection of the ceremony amounted to £184.

Our New Zealand Cousins - by James Inglis- 1887 - 311 pages
At Makikiki  I find a snug village. A steam threshing-machine is at work in a field close to the railway station, and as far as the eye can reach, it follows farm after farm, and takes in cottages, corn-ricks, trim plantations, hedge-rows, and busy ploughing teams. When I was last here [20years ago], Makikiki was purely a flax swamp and its only famous as being a grand shooting ground for ducks. Waimate too! I remember when there was but the home station her, one "bush pub," and forge, and a few sawyers' huts. Now the dense bush has all been cut away. Waimate is the terminus of a branch railway, and can boast stores, hotels, and buildings.

St Andrews church celebrates century

12 November 2003, Timaru Herald by Claire Allison
A church thought to be the only one in "the colony" to have the same name as
its parish celebrates its centenary this weekend. The Roman Catholic Church of St Andrew (the Apostle), in St Andrews, was opened in May 1903, by his Lordship Right Rev Dr Grimes, Bishop of Christchurch, and newspaper reports of the day said the church was packed to the doors both morning and afternoon - despite the miserable weather. Members of the centennial committee planning Sunday's events are hoping for better weather but similarly good-sized crowds.

Events will kick off with a 10.30am Mass, taken by Fr Earl Crotty from the  Sacred Heart parish in Timaru. A plaque marking the centenary will be unveiled and there will be photographs of members of the parish. Events at the church will be followed by a pot luck finger food meal in the hall, and it is also planned to have a surprise for some of the older parish members. In preparation for the weekend celebrations, the exterior of the church has been painted and sealed, and new carpet is being laid. A significant amount of the money spent renovating the church has come from the St Andrews community - both Catholic and non-Catholic. The community support mirrors that of 100 years ago when the church was being built, and in recognition of it, a large number of invitations to the weekend's events have been sent to non-Catholics in St Andrews.

The church originally stood on nine acres of land, bought in 1895 for £8 an acre. Father Hurlin SM and a parishioner were responsible for buying the land, but sadly both were dead before the foundation stone was laid in December 1902. Underneath the cube of bluestone was placed a bottle containing copies of the New Zealand Tablet (the Catholic newspaper), a local newspaper, coins of the realm and a dedicatory document in Latin. The large amount of land allowed for future plans to build a school, presbytery and convent, but over the years, the excess was sold off. The church has always been part of the Sacred Heart Parish in Timaru, served by priests from that parish. The driving force behind the construction of the church was Fr Dean Tubman (died 23 Dec. 1923), who is also credited with building the Sacred Heart Basilica in Timaru and other South Canterbury churches. J S Turnbull was the architect, and the builder was Mr E Hall. Mr F Foster was responsible for the timber work. The church cost £1300, at a time when an average three to four-bedroom wooden family home cost no more than £300. Detailed reports of the time describe the building as having walls of Makikihi brick - 16ft high and 16.5 inches thick. The main building measures 50ft by 30ft inside, and the exterior walls were cemented, to create a striking white building. Inside, there are 14 stations of the cross, which are considered rare in New Zealand. Their history is unclear, but it's believed they were imported to New Zealand for another church which was never built. And, while the church was the first in the diocese to be named after St Andrew, and the only one in the colony to have the same name as its parish, many still refer to it by another name - Star of the Sea.

In the 1920s and 1930s there was a renewed interest in the marist orders and societies, and through that, many churches were renamed with a name dedicated to Mary. However, despite that being the wish of a settler who had worked hard to obtain a church at St Andrews, the church was, and still is the Church of St Andrew. It has changed little over the past 100 years. Vatican II saw the altar rails removed, and the carved wooden altar appears to have made way for a marble structure. However, much that goes on inside has changed considerably in that time. Confession is now reconciliation, and no longer conducted through a wooden grill. Women are no longer required to sit on Our Lady's side of the church, and men on the other. Women no longer need to wear hats and gloves to church, and heating means men no longer feel the need to keep their coats on for winter morning services. Services are in English, not Latin, and the priest faces the congregation, which is more involved in the running of the church and taking services. And the congregation has changed - when the Pareora estate was broken up, there was a big influx of Irish families - and they were big families of 12 or 13 children. The fortnightly mass now sees about 40 people attend.
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The church has a pair of stained glass windows that have been extensively vandalised and repaired. St. John the Evangelist and The Sacred heart of Christ executed by F.X. Zettler, Munich in the 1920s.

New Zealand Tablet, 23 April 1903, Page 5
~ April 19.
In the quiet little township of St. Andrews, situated 12 miles south of Timaru, the public at large and travel! era by train for some time back have noticed the erection of a church not more than a hundred yards from the railway station. The foundation stone was laid by his Lordship Bishop Grimes six months ago. It is now complete, and certainly 'a thing of beauty.' The style is purely Gothic, with its pointed arches. The walls are of brick, cemented, which gives it the appearance of stone. Considering the locality, its dimensions and seating capacity are everything to be desired. It is capable of accommodating twice the number of the present congregation. Three hundred, at least, could find seating room within it. It contains a porch, beltry, and sacristy. The walls being 18ft. high give it a commanding appearance from a distance, beyond that of its compeers. It is very handsomely finished, and reflects the greatest credit on all who had a share in its erection, especially the architect and builders. The congregation have been hearing Mass for the past 10 years in the public schoolroom, waiting patiently, contributing generously, and looking forward anxiously to the day when they could offer better accommodation to The Master. At first a mere handful, they are now a fair-sized congregation, owing to the local operation of the Land Settlement Act. And they are justly proud of their united efforts in raising to God a monument which, if not the best of its kind, is, to say the least, very creditable. His Lordship Bishop Grimes has kindly consented bless and solemnly open the sacred edifice on the first Sunday of May (the 3rd prox.). This happy event has been long and lovingly looked forward to by the little congregation — pinched and crushed in a small schoolroom surrounded by wall-pictures of all the animal life that flourished at the time of the flood, and of many creatures of the present day. which may be helpful to learning, but certainly not to devotion and contemplation. I need not add then that the 3rd of May is going to be a red-letter day for the Catholic of St. Andrews, and their feelings are growing stronger as the noise and bustle of the workmen grows weaker.

New Zealand Tablet, 16 July 1903, Page 15
On Thursday evening last a most enjoyable entertainment was held at St. Andrews in aid of the local church funds. The Rev. Father Tubman and several Timaru friends were present. The room was filled to overcrowding, and the various singers were warmly received. The concert was opened by an overture (piano) by Misses McGuinness and Egan, followed by Miss E McGuinness rendering 'Called back,' with violin obligato by Mr. Coombs, this item being heartily encored. Miss Egan was very successful in 'Close those dreamy eyes' while Mr. D. McDonald in 'The deathless army' had to respond to an enthusiastic recall. Mr. J. Coombs was, as usual, warmly received on rendering a violin solo, and Mr. Barrie Mareschal in his dialect stories had ample room to show his power of mimicry. Miss Mara and Mr. F. McDonald contributed a short sketch entitled 'A pair of lunatics.' The Barrie Mareschal Company wound up the entertainment with the comedy, O'Callaghan on his last legs.' The comedy was admirably played, the audience thoroughly appreciating the hearty humor of the play.

New Zealand Tablet, 26 March 1903, Page 5 Waimate.
March 23. On St. Patrick's Day Mass was celebrated at seven o'clock and 11. At the 11 o'clock Mass the Rev. Father Le Petit, of Fairlie, preached the panegyric of St. Patrick. Considering the late harvest there was a large congregation. In the evening a national concert was held in the Oddfellows' Hall. As usual the hall was crowded to the doors, many being unable to obtain admission. A capital programme was presented, which was opened by the school girls with a well-rendered song and chorus. Mr. N. O'Shea followed with 'O'Donnell Abu,' which he sang in a very spirited manner, receiving a vociferous encore. The school boys gave a very fine exhibition of club swinging, which was greatly appreciated by the audience. Mr. Jeffries sang 'The deathless army. Miss Rattary was heard to advantage in ' Come back to Erin,' and was encored. An action song by the boys, dressed as sailors, was well received. Mr. Hintz happily struck the taste of the audience in his comic selection, for which he received a well-merited encore, and Mr. Barrie Marschell recited 'Shamus O'Brien' with considerable success, he also receiving an encore. The first part concluded with a hornpipe, given by Mr. M. Sullivan. The second part opened with a song and chorus by the school girls. Mr. O'Shea followed with Barry's song, 'The sword.' Master Twomey won the applause of the audience for his rendering of 'Tommy Topweight.' Miss Cameron was recalled for her fine rendering of 'Killarney. Mr. Jeffries gave 'Off to Philadelphia, and Mrs. Hamilton gave "Thady, O'Flynn' in a first-rate style. Mr. Hintz fairly brought down the house with the comic contributions, being recalled twice. Mr. Barrie Marschell gave a humorous recitation, entitled 'Glimpses from my life,' being a series of studies in dialects, in which he was very successful. Mr. Sullivan concluded with an Irish jig. All the items were well given and well received, a recall being demanded and responded to in every instance. Miss Jones accompanied the school children, and Miss Smart, Miss V Wall, and Mrs. Hamilton the soloists. The programme concluded with 'God save the King.' On Sunday, the 21st, the Rev. Father Regnault thanked all those who had assisted to make the concert a success.

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St Augustine's Church 

St. Augustine's Church is located in John Street, Waimate. The original church was built in 1872 and designed by Benjamin Mountfort and built by J. W. Gaitt  and G. Dickison. The foundation stone was laid on 28^th August 1872 by Rev G. Foster. Construction was of locally sawn timber - matai and totara and the land was given by an original settler Michael Studholme.  Michael arrived in Lyttelton in 1851. Before this church was built the vicar of Timaru held services at the Studholme homestead. The original St Augustine's has not been altered much.  Recent views

 

"Waimate St Augustine's Parish of the Anglican Church extends from the Hook River on the north of the Waitaki river on the south and from the seaboard to the hills. In 1903 the southern portion of the district, from the Waihao to the Waitaki, was created a new parish. Services are held at Hunter, Makikihi, Waihao Downs, Morven and Glenavy, as well as at the parish church at Waimate. The contract for the construction of St Augustine's church was signed in 1872 and the building was opened in May 1873 and enlarged in 1883, by the addition of a lantern-tower. A handsome lych gate has been recently added, and there are some very fine stained glass windows in the church. The land occupied by the church and parsonage was presented by the late Mr. Michael Studholme, of Waimate. There is room in the church for 200 worshipers. A convenient Sunday school building, close by, was erected in 1897. It has accommodation for 200 children and there are 130 names on the roll and eleven teachers. The parsonage stands in St Augustine Street, and was erected in 1874. It has a glebe of 5 acres of land." Cyclopedia of New Zealand, Canterbury edition. 1903

The Augustine Church and Troopers Memorial.

Additions:
1880 - Lantern Tower - built of Kahikatea by Mr. S. Collett and desecrated by Rev. Charles Coates
1902 - Lych Gate - made of native timber and given by Mrs. Michael Studholme in memory of her husband and two sons
1903 - Bell Tower   
1923- A new chancel built of concrete to replace the wooden original

The Church has two beautiful stained glass windows. Both windows were designed by Sir Edward Bourne-Jones and made by the English firm Morris & Co.Mereton, Surrey:
1^st was installed in 1926 in memory of Lieutenant Clifford C. Barclay who was killed on 1^st Anzac at Gillipoli and depicts Sir Galahad's vision of the Holy Grail. The donar was his mother, Ruth A. Barclay who died 26 Nov. 1938. Unveiled Anzac Day 1926.
2^nd was installed in 1931 in memory of Mrs Fanny Gebb (?Genn) and depicts Christ in the house of Martha. Donor by bequest.

Evening Post, 7 October 1902, Page 5
WAIMATE, 6th October. A lych gate was dedicated at St. Augustine's Church on Sunday by the vicar, the Rev. M'Kenzie Gibson. The gate, which is a handsome and substantial structure, was erected by Mrs. Studholme in memory of her late husband, Mr. Michael Studholme, and her eldest and youngest sons, Michael Cuthbert and Geoffrey. Mr. Hurst Seager, of Christchurch, was the architect.

Organ Recital  Waimate Advertiser Jan 14, 1899
The organ recital at St Augustine's Church on Tuesday evening was a pronounced success in every way. There was a large congregation in spite of several counter attractions, the church begin quite full. Mr. Well's (from St Michael's. Christchurch) playing was a treat to listen to and must have given satisfaction to all those present, while the programme of music selected for the occasion was well adapted to bring out the power and range of the organ as reconstructed. During the evening the Rev. McKenzie Gibson rendered with fine effect the solos "Thou wilt not leave," and "if with all your hearts," The Rev. C. Coates, formerly Incumbent at Waimate, was present and gave an address on the place of instrumental music in religious worship. It was owing to the efforts of Mr. Coates that the first pipe organ was obtained for St Augustine's Church some years ago and he congratulated the congregation on the forward step they had made in improving the instrument and placing it in a better position where it would be seen and heard to much better advantage.

Mr. G.M. Sandford, of Christchurch, has just completed the re-construction and enlargement of the organ. The old action has been discarded, and replaced by a new and enlarged one, with the exception of the four rows of pipes, has resulted in quite a new instrument. The new work comprises a new swell sound board of three stops; two new stops of pipes, one of 8ft pitch and one of 4ft, called Hohl flute and flute; new bellows, with usual weights and counter balances; a complete pedal organ and pipes of 16ft tone, with action to the present pedal board; a swell-box with the usual shutters and foot lever; also a coupler to couple the manuals to the pedals. The organ has been erected on a platform over the vestry-room, in the north-east transept of the church, and placed there lends a new grace and dignity to the building. At the collection, which was in aid of the organ building fund, the amount contributed was £24 12s 3d.

References:
Te Waimatemate by William Greenwood
Waimate Centennial booklet issued in 1954
Photographs from the collection held at Waimate Museum

Suggested reading: Dream of Spires A book by Ian Lochhead. Benjamin Woolfield Mountfort (1825-98) and the Gothic Revival. Study of influential Christchurch architect. He designed the beautiful Christchurch Cathedral in 1864. The belfry at Saint Michael and All Angels in  Christchurch 1861. St Mary's in Esk Valley. The Napier Cathedral which collapsed in the 1931 earthquake. Mountfort is, however, best known as a designer of churches and his achievements are worth noting because it was he who did most to shape the architectural character of nineteenth- century Christchurch. When the Canterbury Pilgrims arrived on the "Charlotte Jane" 16 December 1850 Mountfort was one of the first settlers ashore and he lived and worked in Canterbury, first in Lyttleton, then from 1857, in Christchurch, for the rest of his life. As an architect he designed most of the public buildings which give Christchurch its distinctive Gothic Revival character.

St Patrick's Church 

Timaru Road, Waimate. Built in 1908-09 it replaced the original wooden church that had been built in 1876. The old church was transported to Washdyke in 1934. The new Church was designed by F W Petrie and constructed of brick and stone. Its two main doors were constructed of stamped copper and on both sides of the doors stood two large South Sea Island shells for Holy Water. Rose windows at the front measures 14ft in diameter and three bells in the tower were cast in Belgium, with the largest bell weighing 3/4 of ton and the other two weighing 1/2 ton each. The impressive tower at the top was built in 1912 and is 45ft high.  Their pipe organ was built by Arthur Hobday & Son in 1916-20. view

Waimate's first Catholic priest in 1881 was Father John Goutenoire and was followed in 1889 by Father Regnault. As with most Catholic Church's a school was also built. Waimate was no exception and the first one was constructed in 1880. Originally lay teachers staffed this but in 1891 sisters of St Josephs of Sacred Heart took over and in 1891 a Convent was opened with a Presbytery following in 1895.  The old Convent was replaced in 1965 and a new school replaced the old one in 1983. .Reference: St Patricks Parish Waimate 1865-1965

St Patrick's Catholic Church at Waimate dates from 1877 and the convent at the back of the church was erected in 1890. The church is a wooden building with seating accommodation for 200 worshipers, and the convent is under the care of six Sisters of St Joseph, who conduct a school adjoining it. About 150 children attend this school and there is room for 200. Music is taught and a good elementary education is given, and those who desire it are prepared for higher examinations. The present presbytery, which was erected to replace the old building in 1894, is a handsome two-story brick and plaster building, and stands in front of the school, facing the main road. The church owns 23 acres of land, part of which is within the boundary of the borough. Reference: Cyclopedia of New Zealand, Canterbury edition. 1903

BUILDING ON A PROUD HISTORY
5 March 2005 Timaru Herald
Waimate has a fine Catholic church, but one that needs urgent attention.  On driving into Waimate, via the main northern entrance, one of the first sights to catch the eye is the local Catholic church. St Patrick's Basilica is an imposing feature of the Waimate landscape, sedately perched on a rise that overlooks the township and farming hinterland. Perhaps not quite in the realms of "a pinnacle of beauty", this architecturally impressive spiritual home for the local Catholic community, "St Pats", has provided an attractive landmark to all and sundry associated with Waimate for the past 95 years. The Lombard-Romanesque structure is classified Category 1 by the NZ Historic Places Trust and carries a Category A Heritage Building classification in the Waimate District Council Plan. Recognition of the church's national architectural importance has added impetus to the restoration project now being organised by parishioners. The architect responsible, Francis William Petre, has been described as New Zealand's most significant neo- classical architect. The first Catholic Mass in Waimate, said by the visiting Marist priest Fr Jean Baptiste Chataigner, was celebrated in 1867 in the home of Larry and Sarah Tooher. The growing number of Irish settling in the Waimate district generated a desire for a permanent place of worship and the first Catholic church was built in 1876. This, a wooden structure made of timber harvested from the local Hunters Hills, could accommodate up to 200. By 1907 the local Catholic community was confidently established and construction of the Basilica began. At a cost of 6000 the concrete, brick and Oamaru stone church was completed in 1909 and in 1912 the imposing copper dome bell tower was added at a further cost of 1000.  Waimate's St Patricks Basilica is one of a number of significant works designed by Petre. But it was the only one of his later designs to be completed to his specifications and Petre (pronounced `Peter') maintained close supervision of the construction. His interest in neo-classicism is reflected in its architecture. Petre combined classical designs with permanent and local materials to create a somewhat grand Italianate edifice on what was once a very unassuming colonial landscape. This architect was known to have a penchant for dramatic silhouettes. St Patricks is simple in design, solid in structure and incorporates frequent use of the arch. Although it does not have the aisles, in other respects it follows the form of the Roman basilica, oblong in shape with a semi-circular apse at the end. Basilicas were large buildings originally designed by the ancient Romans as a public hall for the administration of justice or other business. With the advent of Christianity they were often converted into churches and the ground plan for these ancient structures provided the model for the construction of new churches. The revival of classical Greek and Roman architecture became a feature of European design in the late18th and 19th centuries. Neo-classicism stood in contrast with the Gothic revival that was also influential in the design of buildings during this period. Churches provided the perfect structures for architectural expression. Basilicas had become popular for Catholic churches in the second half of the 19th century as a means of emphasising the Roman connection and distinguishing the buildings from Anglican churches built predominantly in the Gothic style. The oblong shape of the basilica meant that a congregation could be seated as closely as possible to the altar. Basilicas could also be made of concrete. Liturgically, and financially, they were ideal for Catholic congregations in a newly developing colony still heavily influenced by the culture of their Irish, British and European origins. And so it was that Francis William Petre, a very shy and modest man, came to be responsible for some of the most dignified and beautiful churches on our South Island landscape. Petre was born in Lower Hutt in August 1847. The Petres were an old and notable English Catholic family once in residence at Thorndon Hall where Petre's grandfather was the eleventh Baron of Essex. His father, Henry, first came out to New Zealand with the main body of company settlers, landing in Wellington in 1840. At the time of his son's birth he was farming in the Hutt Valley, deciding to return to England in 1855 for his family's education. Francis Petre was educated at a Jesuit College in Derbyshire before spending two years as a naval cadet at Portsmouth. He had time at school in France and on return attended Ushaw College in Durham. Petre's initial ambition was to be a sculptor but instead he was articled, in 1864, to a London firm of engineers and naval architects. In 1872 he came out to New Zealand as a supervisory engineer for John Brogden and Sons, English railway contractors who had been commissioned to lay lines in the South Island.

In 1875, F. W. Petre established his own practice as Architect and Engineer, based in Dunedin. In certain circles he was to become known as "Lord Concrete", a reflection on his ancestry and his pioneering work in the use of reinforced concrete in early New Zealand architecture. Along with numerous other buildings, Petre was responsible for 70 churches in New Zealand. Included are a number of striking basilicas. Petre was the architect responsible for Wellington's Sacred Heart Cathedral (built in1901). His legacy in the South Island can be seen in a trail of magnificent churches that winds its way from Christchurch to Invercargill. Several of these have already undergone extensive and successful restoration. The Christchurch Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament (1904-1905) would have to be one of Petre's most inspiring and ambitious projects rivaling the Christchurch Anglican Cathedral in its dimensions.

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Timaru, described as his most original work, was completed in 1910 under the parish priest's supervision after Petre sold him the plans. Just 45km south is the Waimate basilica, completed in 1909. Then there is St Patricks Basilica in Oamaru (1894 and 1903), St Patricks Basilica in South Dunedin (1879-1894), and the Southland Basilica of St Marys at Invercargill (1905). Another Petre basilica, built at Gore in 1914, was demolished in the mid 1980s. According to one of Petre's children, of all the churches his father designed, St Patricks Basilica in Waimate was the one of which he was most proud. As in his other basilicas, the Waimate church reflects early Latin architecture with its love of largeness, space and light. The exterior of the church is constructed of reinforced concrete and sheathed with brick. Arches and piers are faced with Oamaru stone, exploiting the colourful contrast between the red brick and cream stone. The roof is made of Marseille tiles, warm red clay tiles commonly associated with a Mediterranean landscape, and originally imported from France. An arcaded portico extends across the full width of the front of the church. Monumental Tuscan pillars separate the arcades. Above is the central rose window, a feature Petre sought to incorporate in the style of his basilica. The rose window, a characteristic of medieval architecture, has its origins in ancient Greek design where it was used to represent the eye of god, a window to the soul. The dominating feature of the Waimate church is the belfry tower that is crowned with an eight-sided copper-sheathed dome complete with a cross on top. Petre used the dome to dramatic effect. This eastern European influence became a characteristic of basilicas in the late 19th century. The belfry is home to three bells. These, donated by the Quinn family of Makikihi, were cast in Belgium and installed in 1913. On entering the church one is struck by its airiness and light. Large arched glass windows in the nave blend into very plain wall surfaces. Vestiges of classical detail can be seen in the decorated plaster, mainly at ceiling level. The ornate ceiling panels are of pressed zinc. One's eye is drawn to the southern end of the church where an arch opens into the sanctuary, terminating in the semi-circular end wall that contains seven beautiful stained glass windows set high to catch the morning sun. Six of the windows are attributed to Frederick Mash, an accomplished stained glass designer who emigrated from England in 1912 to work for Smith and Smith in Christchurch. The seventh, Our Lady of Fatima, was designed by John Brock, another Englishmen, who trained with the London based James Powell and Sons and emigrated to settle in Dunedin in 1914. The sacristy is sited to one side of the sanctuary to enable placement of the windows in such a way that light falls on the altar. Large concrete columns support the organ loft and choir gallery above the main entrance of the church. Access to the loft and gallery is by a cast iron spiral staircase. The church's Hobday organ was the last organ built by Arthur A. Hobday in 1922 and some experts consider it one of his finest works. Restoration of this at a cost of $70,000 was completed in 1996.

The organ is registered under the New Zealand Antiquities Act and was gifted to the church by the local Hanley family. With the organ restoration project successfully accomplished attention is now focused on preservation of the church itself. Conservation architect Chris Cochran has stated that the Waimate Basilica has architectural importance as a work of distinction and he describes Petre as one of New Zealand's most creative and competent architects. The St Patricks Church Restoration Trust has set itself an ambitious target, giving exterior maintenance and structural repairs priority. A total of approximately $530,000 is needed for the major maintenance and exterior restoration and fund raising is well under way. Trust chairperson John Foley anticipates work will be completed by March 2006 subject to NZ Lotteries and Grants Board approval. An envisaged third phase of the project will be restoration of the interior and sanctuary. A favourable recommendation from the Historic Places Trust is welcome. Their dictum, "to direct and enrich our future by using wisely the heritage of our past" seems appropriate somehow. St Patricks Basilica is one of the most impressive buildings on the Waimate landscape. Its history is closely interwoven with that of the whole of the Waimate district. But more than this it symbolises a heritage that reaches far beyond New Zealand shores to places and periods of time that ultimately connect us with all who have created something sacred in order to express that which defies expression.
 

Knox Presbyterian Church

   
  

 

 

The 1st church was built in 1874 and was of the traditional wooden style. Rev Robert Ewen had started services in 1871 in Waimate and after the construction of the new Church George Lindsay was appointed Resident minister in 1875.

The 2nd Church was built in 1934 on Shearman St. The stone for this building was taken from the local riverbed through the Waimate Gorge and both Hook and Waituna districts also supplied shingle from their areas. Timber from the 1st wooden church was used in the roof and beam construction as were memorial windows from the old church and three new stained glass windows were added in dedication of the Carter family. Recent
The Bell Tower and the four Flames of Remembrance were also removed from the old church and relocated to an area in Belt Street near where the Presbytery Manse was built in 1919. A new Manse was built opposite the Church in 1959/60, however the Bell Tower still stands as a local icon today. Reference: The Ever Open Door - The story of Knox Presbyterian Church, Waimate - A century of worship 1874-1974

Knox Presbyterian Church Waimate stands on a half-acre section at the corner of Sherman and Manse Streets. The building which is of Gothic form and constructed of wood, will hold 250 worshippers, and was erected in the year 1876. Close to the church there is a Sunday school room, in brick. The school is attended by about 100 children. The manse is at the head of Manse Street, and is a roomy two-story building, with a glebe of five acres. Regular services are held twice each Sunday at Knox Church and regular country services in a number of school rooms in the large surrounding district. Reference: Cyclopedia of New Zealand, Canterbury edition. 1903

The induction of the Rev. A.S. Morrison to the pastorate of Knox Church took place on Tuesday afternoon. The church was profusely and beautifully decorated with flowers and greenery. There was a good congregation and Rev. J. Comrie, Moderator of the Presbytery, conducted the service. Rev. White of Pleasant Point addressed the congregation, and Rev. R. Mackie, St Andrews. spoke a few words. There were on the platform Revs. Gillies, White, Todd, Cromrie, Mackie, Stevens (of Papakaio), Geo. Barclay and J. Dukes (St. Paul's Wesleyan church), all of whom addressed the meeting, giving congratulation and words of advice to the minister and people, Mr Mackie remarked that all the ministerial members of the Timaru Presbytery except Rev. J. Dickson, who was otherwise engaged in church work, were present and Rev. W. Gilles called attention to the fact that in the Timaru Presbytery young colonials now predominate. Mr. W. Allan welcomed Mr. Morrison on behalf of the session and the congregation. Mr. Coltman moved a vote of thanks to the speakers. Waimate Advertiser Feb. 4, 1899

Muir & Moodie photo.

St Paul's Methodist Church 

In 1877 with Rev. William Cannell as minister the 1st Methodist church held services. The church site was a wooden building 25ft x 18ft. Shortly after they erected a Sunday school but both were destroyed in the great fire of 1886. In 1888 a new Oamaru stone building was erected with a gallery added in 1889. In 1914 the vestry & choir recess was enlarged and in 1953 the vestibule was also enlarged. However, a new Sunday school was not erected until 1928. Reference: The First Hundred Years - Waimate Methodist Church 1863-1963

St Paul's Wesleyan Church Waimate grew out of the Methodist services held in the district in the youthful days of the district. In the early sixties, Mr. George Manchester threw open his own house in High Street for services in connection with the church of his fathers. The first church in Waimate was erected in 1866, at a cost of £110, and was a small wooden building in Queen Street, on a site near Messrs Cameron Bros. butchery. The old building did duty for some years, and facilities were given to Presbyterians and Episcopalians alike, to hold services there before they had churches of their own. Later, it was used as a schoolroom and a larger church was erected alongside, but both buildings were burnt down in April, 1866.
    Services were then held in a wooden building, which was originally erected by the Temperance Society in Shearman Street, and served as a Temperance Hall; it was bought by the church when the other building was destroyed, and is still used as a Sunday school. St Paul's church was built in 1887, at a cost of £958, without the gallery, which has since been added. It has an acre and a half of land attached to it with frontages to Glasgow and Shearman Streets. The church is a brick building, with an iron roof, and has seating accommodation for about 400 worshipers. The parsonage is a convenient brick building, with a garden and paddock attached, in Parsonage Road. Services are held by the minister in charge at Nukuroa every Sunday and at Waihaorunga periodically. Reference: Cyclopedia of New Zealand, Canterbury edition. 1903


The Primative Methodist Church Rhodes Street, Waimate, was erected in 1877; services had been held for two years previously in the Temperance Hall. The building which is of brick, and has seating room for 200 persons, stands on a quarter acre of land. A Sunday school is held in the church, and the minister in charge preaches on alternate Sundays at Waimate and Oamaru, periodically at Morven and Nukuroa. The parsonage, a convenient seven-roomed house built on a section of half an acre of land in Parsonage road, was erected in 1898. Reference: Cyclopedia of New Zealand, Canterbury edition. 1903

North Otago Times,16 May 1877, Page 2
Waimate, May 15.
The Wesleyan Church in Queen street in now nearly finished, and a recent visit together with the courtesy of Mr N. Hillary, the architect, enables me to give a tolerably fair description of the building and its adjuncts. It is built on a section of land fronting on Queen street, having an area of 2 chains long by 50ft broad. The style of architecture is Gothic. It is lighted by 12 Gothic arch windows at the sides and west end, the centre lights working on pivots, as ventilators. Over the porch at the main entrance it a triple leaved cathedial window of colored and plain lights, formed of three roses at the head, two trefoil and one quinquefoil. The roof is supported by four Gothic principals and two end ones, and presents a very handsome appearance. The walls are plastered and dressed with cement within five feet from, the floor, where they join the dado pannelling of richly chased totara. Two Gothic vestry doors are placed on either side of the rostrum at the east end, while this indispensable portion of church furniture contests of a balustraded platform 13ft 6in by 7ft 6in, and supports a moveable reading desk. The seats are ordered from Dunedin at a cost of L7O, and it is contemplated to erect an organ left in room of the plain box-like inner porch presently erected. The carpenter work has been executed by Mr Hewit, of Dunedin, assisted by Mr George Dixon, of Waimate, the painters are Messrs Kennerd and Collins, of this place ; the plasterers Messrs Hook and Bant of Oamaru ; the contractor for the building being Mr A. Hayes, of Waimate, who is to be congratulated on the way in which the work has been carried on and accomplished. The whole cost of the building is L760, and finishes the fourth tasteful church for Waimate.

The Salvation Army Barracks at Waimate are situated in Queen Street and were built in 1901. The corps was established in 1885, but its first building was destroyed by fire. The present barracks are of brick, and have seating accommodation for 250 persons. The Sunday school is attended by 35 scholars, and there are five teachers. There are forty-three members in the Waimate corps, including officers. Reference: Cyclopedia of New Zealand, Canterbury edition. 1903

The Church of St Andrews at St Andrews was built in 1889. Records

Waimate Daily Advertiser Thursday 12 July 1900 Page 2
The opening services of the new Presbyterian Church at St. Andrews were held Sunday and were conducted by the Rev. Dr. Irwin of Christchurch. Three services were held. Their new church reflects great credit on the architect Mr. J. Turnbull and the contractor Mr W. Baird. It measures 52ft by 25ft including class and vestry. On entering the building the diagonal lining of the walls and the cathedral stained glass windows immediately attract attention. The thanks of the congregation are due to Mr. J.T. Read, St. Andrews, for the pulpit railing lamp hangers and brackets, Mr Read having made these free of charge, the Church Committee finding the material. The congregation are also indebted to the following ladies and gentlemen for their valuable gifts:- 
Mr Andrew Martin Senr. (Otaio) bell
Mr Martin Communion Service of heavy silver
Mr W. Smith, Springbank pulpit Bible
Mr S. McBride (Timaru) baptismal font
Mr G. Pearson (Timaru) collection plates
Mr D. Martin, floor matting and carpet platform
Mrs R. Stewart (Kingsdown) Bible cushion and pulpit
A hymn book was presented by Mrs D. Ogilve, but its purchase deferred as the congregation intend changing their hymn book and adopting the new church hymnal. The services of the day were much enjoyed and the collections towards the building fund were liberal, that of the morning service alone amounting to £24 5s 9d

Morley, William.  The History of Methodism in New Zealand - Page 456
Methodist Church in New Zealand - 1900 - 510 pages. South Canterbury section pages 447 - 457 online

The Waimate Circuit.
The three partners, Manchester Bros, and S.W. Goldsmith went to Timaru in June, 1863, to hear Mr. Buller. J. Manchester was appointed class leader. The original members were Messrs John, George and William Manchester, S.W. and Mrs Goldsmith, Messrs W. day, B. and M. Tregoning and J.W. Freeman. A church site was given and a building 18ft by 25ft for £110 was opened by the Rev. W. Cannell. Lengthened by 15ft for 60. In 1876 a site was purchased on Queen Street for £60. A church of wood was built the following year and opened by the Rev. W. Lee. It seated 300 persons. The cost was £1100.

The Circuit. In 1872 Mr Hewlitt, the second preacher, lived there as did Mr Dewsbury.In 1877 Waimate was made the center of a new circuit. A house and land was purchased in 1881 for a married minister. In May 1886, the church and school were destroyed by fire which had originated at a nearby hotel. There was insurance of £900 on the buildings. A two room building was purchased from the Good Templars. At the end of 1887 the foundation stone was laid by the Rev. W. Rowse for the new church (St. Paul's) The site given by Messrs Manchester Brothers. A neat and substantial brick building, with Oamaru stone facings, was built to seat 270. It cost £1120 and opened by the Rev. W.J. Williams in June 1888, there was only £100 debt. The same year the former parsonage was sold and a good brick house with nearly half an acre of land was purchased. The glebe now has three acres. In 1890 a gallery was erected across the end of the church and the Sunday School enlarged. Two years since a splendid American organ, costing £150 was placed in the church. Mr Smalley was appointed as Connexional Evangelist. Mr Lewis worked in 1882 and 1883. Prominent members: Messrs Nind, Graham, Douthwaite, Hunt, Skevington, Dailey and others. Rev. J. Blight, was a local preacher in South Australia, came to NZ in 1883.

St Michael's Church at Waihao Downs.

Timeframes

• St Patrick's Catholic Church in Waimate. Photographed by Frederick George Radcliffe in 1919
• St Patrick's Catholic Church in Waimate, newly completed. Photographed by W G Russell, circa 1910s
• The nearly completed new St Patrick's Catholic Church (on the left) beside the older church in Waimate. Taken  between 1900 and 1909

Churches
South Canterbury NZGenWeb Project