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Two Into One – compiled by Jean D.Turvey


Published by Kaiapoi Co-operating Parish

53 Fuller Street

Kaiapoi

Email - [email protected]

ISBN 0-476-00222-2

©Copyright

Kaiapoi Co-operating Parish, February 2004

Printed by Wickliffe Print

482 Moorhouse Avenue

Christchurch

PREFACE

This is a story of three parishes - one Methodist, one Presbyterian, and one Co-

operating - worshiping and witnessing in Kaiapoi in three different centuries. It starts

with pioneer settlers in a small village half a world away from their homes. It ends - at

least this part of the story does - in a burgeoning satellite town. Letters and news

originally took months to arrive. Now they are as instant as emails and television.

However, through the dramatic changes of the last 150 years runs the common thread

of faith.

This is a story which needs to be read twice. The first time, read what Jean Turvey has

written. In any history there are those people who stand out because of their

leadership, strong personalities, or eccentricities. Ministers loom large, simply because

they are involved in most aspects of parish life. Buildings feature, because they

provide a focal point for congregational life.

The second reading of this history is more difficult. You need to read between the

lines, to focus on what is not written. The unrecorded history of these three parishes is

just as vital as the narration of obvious events and personalities. It consists of people

whose names are unknown, but who worshipped faithfully and gave life to these local

churches. They were members of women’s groups, singers in the choir, Sunday

School pupils or teachers, welcomers at the door. They lived out their faith with their

families, in the mills and businesses, and in the organisations of Kaiapoi.

This book offers just the first chapters of our history. We write the next chapters as we

worship and serve God in the future.

Barry Harkness


CONTENTS

Introduction

Kaiapoi Co-operating Parish

• Chronology

• Parish history

• Ministers

Methodist Parish

• Chronology

• Parish history

• Ministers

St. Paul’s Presbyterian Parish

• Chronology

• Parish history

• Ministers

Choirs

Christian Education

Girls’ and Boys’ Brigades

Groups

In Memoriam

Organs

Parish Craft Shop

People

Swannanoa, Ohoka, Eyreton and Clarkville Churches

This and that

Appendices

• Parish Councillors

• Circuit Stewards

• Elders

• Glossary

• Bibliography

Author’s note on the Earthquake Damage.


INTRODUCTION The history of the Methodist, Presbyterian and Co-operating Parishes in Kaiapoi, is

also a history of the Kaiapoi area itself. Although Canterbury was planned to be an

Anglican settlement, Methodists and Presbyterian settlers were also drawn to the

Kaiapoi area because of the river port and the fertile farm land. Some of the first class

meetings’ of Methodists outside of Christchurch, were held in Kaiapoi. Later Kaiapoi

became the base for a much wider Circuit to the north and west. Likewise, Kaiapoi

was the base for Presbyterians living in North Canterbury.

After the Woollen Mill was established in the 1870s a recruitment drive for skilled

workers resulted in many Methodists and Presbyterians coming to Kaiapoi. Mr.

George Blackwell, one of the founding directors of the mill, was proud that the

immigrants provided the district with not only excellent workers, but folk who went

on to become community leaders. Pauline Wood in her history of Kaiapoi noted that

“these people gave the town an atmosphere unlike any other settlement in Canterbury.

The enthusiasm for rowing, the affection for brass band music and the non-conformist

beliefs already present in the town were strengthened by the north of England origins

of these new inhabitants.”

Kaiapoi, once a small industrial centre has become a bedroom community of 10,000

people who work mainly in Christchurch. The Parish has had to change to reflect this.

We have moved from minutes kept in copperplate handwriting to word processed

copies, and newsletters compiled using desktop publishing. E-mail is the means of

communication.

The tracing of a parish history is relatively easy for its buildings, the coming and

goings of clergy, and the names of its office bearers, but it is the people in the past,

and at the present time, who make up the parish. What cannot be adequately conveyed

in this history is the vitality of life and fellowship, a life that is best experienced,

rather than read about.

There are many worthy and dedicated people who have contributed to the life and

mission of these parishes who I have not mentioned. Some minute books are missing,

and the time to research everything was not possible. My apologies to them or their

descendants for any omissions.

Acknowledgements

I wish to acknowledge the help of Elaine Bolitho, David Blackwell, Gavin Gray,

Barry Harkness, Rita Hewson, Bill Inglis, Nola Johnstone, John McKenzie,

Fred and Sheila Pinkham, Betty Tindall, Betty Williams, Marcia Baker of

Methodist Archives, the staff of the New Zealand room at Christchurch City

Library, Pam Mackintosh at Rangiora Museum, the Kaiapoi District Historical

Society, and Zane Purdom of Business Resources Ltd, Rangiora.

Thanks also to the PAC Media Fund and other subscribers for their assistance.

Jean D. Turvey


KAIAPOI CO-OPERATING PARISH -

CHRONOLOGY

1979 Inauguration service of the combined parish held on Sunday 4th

February, 1979. The Rev. Tony Bell, appointed by the Methodist

Conference, was inducted.

Parish Craft Centre opened in September.

The weekly newsletter ‘Korero’ commenced.

1980 On 3rd February, the first anniversary of the Co-operating Parish was

celebrated. The Rev. R. Rogers, the parish’s liaison officer from the Joint

Regional Committee was the preacher.

The first edition of the newsletter ‘The Messenger’ was distributed, with

the aim of communicating in particular with those in the parish who did

not attend services regularly.

1982 The stained glass window was dedicated at a service on 7th March.

The Rev. Roger Herft conducted a programme designed to help parishes

find a fresh understanding to Evangelism.

1984 In October, a service was held to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the

laying of the foundation stone of the Wesley Centre Church.

1985 The 50th Anniversary of the opening of the church was held on Sunday

10 February.

New Church House in Otaki Street purchased. The Manse in Sewell

Street, the Ohoka Church and the section in Fuller Street sold.

A Stewardship programme ‘Vision ‘85’, led by Stewart Collis was held.

1989 A farewell service for Tony, Colleen, Jennifer and Cohn Bell, followed

by lunch was held on 5th January.

The Rev. Errol Hildreth, a Presbyterian minister, inducted on 16th

November.

1990 The Parish joined with the other Kaiapoi Churches to hold a Community

Service in the Kaiapoi High School Auditorium to celebrate New

Zealand’s 150th Anniversary.

1994 The Rev. Hildreth retired early for health reasons.

1995 The Rev. Brian Metherell, also a Presbyterian minister, conducted his

first service in March. He was at first ‘Stated Supply’ but was inducted

later in the year.

1996 St. Paul’s Centre sold to the Waimakariri District Council for use as a

community facility. In November a final service was held there attended

by a large congregation and visitors.


1997 The Rev. Metherell retired at the end of the year.

1998 Rev. Barry Harkness inducted in February.

The Parish Craft Centre closed in March.

1999 The 20th year of the Co-operating Parish was celebrated.

2000 A monthly evening service commenced.

2001 A committee was formed under the leadership of Margaret Topp, to plan

the extensions to the Wesley Lounge.

2002 The extensions were opened on Saturday the 9th March. Several speakers

spoke on the theme of “The church as people”

2003 Monthly evening service discontinued.

2004 The 25th year of the Co-operating Parish celebrated, together with about

150 years of the parent churches, Methodist and Presbyterian, in the town

of Kaiapoi.


KAIAPOI CO-OPERATING PARISH

Background

The first union parish in New Zealand was at Raglan in 1943. Since then there have

been many changes, both in name and direction, but the concept is spreading

throughout New Zealand.

The Church Union movement in New Zealand has had a long and tortuous history

commencing with the first Presbyterian proposal to the Methodist and Congregational

Churches in 1902. It was raised intermittently over the years. A Church Union

Committee was appointed in 1930 ‘to ascertain the mind of the Church on this matter’,

and the first tentative possibility of including Anglicans raised. Following a ballot by

the Presbyterians in 1933, 147 sessions were in favour of negotiations with Methodists

and Congregationalists, and 48 against. It was agreed that the opposition and

indifference to union was too great. Faced with the uncertainty of war, the Methodist

Conference of 1939 called ‘for an emphatic assertion of Brotherhood in Christ which

transcends all difference of Race and Nation’ and indicated that it was open to

negotiations with Congregational and Presbyterian Churches.

In 1971 a plan for union to form the Church of Christ in New Zealand involving the

Associated Churches of Christ, the Anglican Church, the Congregational Union, the

Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church, was put to the vote but was not

endorsed strongly enough to proceed. However, co-operative ventures continue to be

formed. The Forum of Co-operating Ventures (now the United Congregations of

Aotearoa New Zealand) and Joint Regional Committees provide the umbrella under

which the vision of the earlier years remain.

The Kaiapoi Circuit Quarterly Meeting and the Session of St. Paul’s discussed the

question of forming a joint parish several times over the next few years. A co-

operating venture becoming a reality, commenced when a representative committee

comprising seven Methodists and seven Presbyterians began meeting in September

1977. A brochure was produced outlining a plan to pool resources, people power,

buildings and finances. Voting by a large majority was in favour of forming a co-

operative venture.

Settling in of new venture

The culmination of the efforts by the combined committee, and their parent churches,

resulted in the Inauguration Service being held on Sunday 4th February, 1979. The

Rev. R. H. Allen, Chairman of the North Canterbury Methodist District, and Mr. L. G.

Parke, Moderator of the Presbytery of Christchurch were present. The preacher was

the Rev. W. I. Bacon. The Rev. Tony Bell, appointed by the Methodist Conference,

was inducted.


The first Parish Council was formed with ten representatives from each denomination.

They were: Alan Baines, Evelyn Bannan, Catherine Blackburn, Lloyd Cleland, Hugh

Diver, Garven Eggleston, Marion Eggleston, John Farquhar, Rita Hewson, David

Johnson, Jillian Johnson, Evan McGregor, Audrie McKenzie, John McKenzie, Serv.

Moore, Fred Pinkham, Betty Poultney, S. L. Stephens, Linda Stone, and Betty Tindall.

Lloyd Cleland was appointed the first Secretary. Rita Hewson (Methodist) and Evan

McGregor (Presbyterian) were Joint Treasurers while their respective parish finances

were incorporated into the Co-operating Parish account. Rita took over as sole

Treasurer at a later date and is still in the position. In the wider sphere of the Church,

the Parish was represented on the North Canterbury Methodist Synod by John

Mckenzie, and the Presbytery of Christchurch by Lloyd Cleland.

All concerned were involved in developing the new Parish in a spirit of true Christian

unity. During that first year substantial progress was made towards that goal.

Services of worship were held at 10 a. m. and 7 p. m. each Sunday, the latter being

held in the lounge during the winter months. At Swannanoa a service was held at 11

a.m. on the second Sunday of the month, the service at the Wesley Centre being

concluded by a lay preacher to allow Rev. Bell to attend.

It was decided that Communion Services be held monthly. A good deal of time was

spent exploring alternative forms and practices for this important aspect of Christian

Worship.

The Manse in Sewell Street remained the residence of the minister, while a flat at the

back of the Parsonage was occupied by tenants. The rest of the Parsonage was used

for Christian Education classes and a creche, while Wesley Lounge was for Christian

Education and meetings for both church and public groups. At St. Paul’s Centre two

rooms were used for a minister’s study and Church Office. The office was supervised

in the mornings by a group of ladies who supplied clerical and other assistance. As

well as use by the Bible Class on Friday evenings, the Centre was used by other

church groups and a number of public and private organisations.

In the report by the Visitation Committee at the end of 1980 on the matter of the

mission of the Parish, ‘the congregation saw as its main task that of nurturing the

fellowship of the worshipping community and reaching out to the fringe people

beyond. It inherited what was described as “a slow sinking situation’ but they had in

their brief history, achieved a greater stability”.

Finances

In these early years with ever present inflation, the Finance Committee had the

continuing task of ensuring that income was sufficient to meet the expenses of running

the Parish. It became evident to the Property and Development Committee, that the

burden of maintenance of so much property was very considerable, especially when

the funds required were limited.


The task was considerably lessened with the improvement in finances consequent

upon the Planned Giving Programme conducted in March 1982 with Rev. Bill Vinten

as Director.

Evangelism

Also in 1982, Rev. Roger Herft of Sri Lanka visited to conduct a programme designed

to help find a fresh understanding to evangelism within the Parish. As part of this

work Rev. Bell attended a School for Evangelism and a House Group began meeting.

Community Social Workers

Early in 1982 Miss Marilyn Mehrtens and Mrs Daphne van der Meys came to the

Parish as Community Social Workers. Miss Mehrtens was concerned mainly with low

income people and grief support. The work with the low income people involved craft

and job skills training and support, and in addition, activities to encourage

communication with others, and personal growth. A small Grief Support group was

formed to assist the bereaved in their adjustment to their changed circumstances.

Mrs. van der Meys main involvement was working in the community to assist

individuals and groups with particular problems. Both workers were involved with the

Friday Fun evenings with youth groups and they organised the school holiday

programmes.

As they were employed for just one year the aim was to set up the groups and

programmes to operate independently on the termination of their employment.

Community Youth Advisor

In 1983 the idea was mooted that the Parsonage be let at a nominal rent to a family

who would devote specified time to the youth of the parish. Mike Gilligan’s

involvement with youth developed on many levels and his wife Karen was involved

within the Sunday School. During Mr. Gilligan’s tenure of this position the Parish

Council heard very favourable reports of his work in the community. Young people in

youth groups, in the schools, and on the streets came under his care and influence. His

brand of caring was witnessed by parents, teachers and police officers.

S.T.E.P.S. Programme

At the end of 1984 the Parish was approached by the Labour Department to set up a

S.T.E.P.S. (School Leavers Training and Employment Preparation Scheme) in

Kaiapoi. The six week courses were spent on life skills, communication, self esteem,

cooking, personal care, and outdoor recreation programmes. Marilyn Mehrtens was

Supervisor with Mike Gilligan leading the recreation training. The project was 100%

funded by the Labour Department and had a benefit to the Parish as well as the

trainees.


These programmes, after a trial basis, were such a success with many of the trainees

finding employment or going on to specific job skills training, that they continued for

several years. The name of the programmes changed but the aim was the same.

The Parish gave personal and financial support. Linsey Burgess was involved assisting

the leaders with the finances of the programme. Mavis McKenzie was a listening ear

at the Church Office, while Jill Bell-Neal dealt with the clerical work. Tony Bell

worked hard, with often outspoken, but obvious support, to provide the leadership for

such a programme to be successful.

In February 1989 the decision was made to stop these programmes because of changes

to Government Policy. The involvement of the Parish in this outreach work showed to

the wider community the practical Christian love and concern of parishioners for other

people in society.

Stewardship Campaign - Vision ‘85

Under the able directorship of Mr. Stewart Collis, an intensive campaign was

organised. The programme was extensive and far outreaching, the general quality was

good, especially the house meetings, which proved excellent forums at which all

manner of concerns were raised. Participants were able to take a good look at what it

costs to do the work of the Church, think about priorities, enjoy some fellowship, and

even air some frustrations.

Results of the campaign were gratifying - not only in terms of increased giving. The

Parish and the team of workers were congratulated by Rev. Bell and Mr. Collis on

their efforts.

New Church House

Prior to the Co-operating Parish being formed, St. Paul’s Parish purchased the house

at 17 Sewell Street as a temporary Manse leading to upgrading the minister’s housing.

This upgrade did not occur. Also the Methodist Parish had problems with the

Parsonage as it was a cold house and the roof needed attention.

In 1980 the Visitation Committee drew attention to the shortcomings of the Manse and

this was again raised in 1984 by another Visitation. It was made clear then that

Presbytery would not let the Parish move to call another minister until the housing

was up to standard.

Plans had begun to alter the Manse. Even at the early planning stage it was apparent

that the required alteration would be expensive, so costing was done to see if building

new would be a better alternative.

In July 1985, the house at 72 Otaki Street was offered to the Parish by the owners who

were moving. After checking a valuation report it was realised that the purchase price

of $128,000 was less that the cost to build new. All relevant committees of both


Presbyterian and Methodist Churches fully approved the purchase and actively helped

and encouraged the Parish.

To provide the finance for the purchase, the Ohoka Church property, the section in

Fuller Street (previously the Sunday School Hall site) and the Sewell Street Manse

were sold.

A dedication of the new residence was held on 17 November 1985. Rev. Ian McBride

(Moderator of Presbytery) and Rev. Albert Grundy (District Superintendent) attended.

Farewell to Rev. Bell

January 5th 1989 a farewell service for Tony. Colleen, Jennifer and Cohn Bell was

held, followed by lunch. His 10 year term had ended. The Parish was well served by

Tony who had the daunting responsibility of getting the cooperating venture off to a

good start His contribution to the wider community, especially his efforts in obtaining

a permanent Community Worker appointed for Kaiapoi was much appreciated.

Vacancy year 1989

Being without a minister for most of 1989 was made easier by having the Rev. Cohn

Hay as Interim Moderator. Rev. Hay reported that “it has been gratifying to see how

the pastoral work has continued and has been exercised in a most faithful and

proficient manner by your team of dedicated members. Numbers attending worship

have remained constant and the Parish has obviously continued in its work with

enthusiasm and purpose.”

Margaret Cleland, Bessie Stewart and Diane Murray carried out hospital and other

visiting. The Parish Council were most appreciative of the encouragement and the

message brought to the Parish by the visiting Preachers both Lay and Ministerial. John

McKenzie undertook the task of arranging the Preachers Sunday by Sunday.

Parsonage Roof

A big item of maintenance to church property was the re-roofing of the Parsonage at a

cost of $13,000. With the building now more weatherproof, the decision was made to

relocate the Parish Craft Shop to the Parsonage.

Rev. Errol Hildreth

Following Presbyterian procedure, a call was made and accepted by Errol Hildreth. He

was inducted at a service on 16th November 1989. The Christmas Social in December

doubled as a welcome to Errol and Barbara. The Parish Council was delighted with his

approach and his ideas for the Parish and its future.

In his report to the Annual Meeting of 1990, Rev. Hildreth noted that “the Parish

sustained the vacancy in the Pastorate very well, in fact benefited from it. A strong

spirit of unity and expectation was obvious on his arrival.”


The following years of Errol’s ministry were challenging as well as rewarding. The

Kaiapoi Community experienced a number of changes, as well as population growth

and housing development. Increasing demands were made to answer crisis requests

from the Parish Food Bank and Emergency Relief Fund. Pastoral need and counselling

demands increased. Against this backdrop, continuing loyalty and personal

involvement within the life of the Church brought encouragement.

In 1991 the official Visitation by members of J.R.C., gave a sympathetic and

supportive report. A Giving Review, led by Robert Fenwick, brought the Parish some

way toward financial viability, always a continuing concern. The following year,

finances were maintained at the expense of not meeting the wider work commitments

of the parent churches.

Sadly, Rev. Hildreth retired for health reasons before his term had expired. A farewell

for Errol and Barbara was held at the morning service of 13 November 1994, followed

by morning tea. The Parish Council expressed its sincere thanks to both Errol and

Barbara for their faithful and caring work during their five years of ministry within the

Parish.

Rev. Brian Metherell

At the time of Errol’s retirement Mr. Ross Lawn of the JRC presided over a meeting

of Parish Council to outline the possibilities open to the Parish in respect of the

vacancy. Option one was to continue under the Presbyterian Church for the remaining

2 years of Errol’s term. Presbytery would assume responsibility for the appointment of

‘stated supply.’ The other option was to opt to change back to Methodist oversight,

even though the Presbyterian term had not been fully used. However because a

Methodist appointment required action by March of one year to ensure an

appointment for the following February, the Parish would be without a resident

Minister for over a year. It was resolved to recommend to a Parish Meeting “That we

ask for stated supply for one year with the option to continue the same for a further

year.”

Rev. D. R. (Bob) Reid of the Rangiora Presbyterian Parish was appointed temporary

Moderator.

The outcome was that Rev. Brian Metherell was invited as stated supply for initially

one year. He started at a Service on 19 March 1995 followed by a pot-luck lunch to

meet parishioners. Later in the year a formal Call was extended to Rev. Metherell for a

term ending in December 1997, coinciding with Brian’s previous intention of retiring

from the Ministry at that time.

Brian instituted the practice of having the Bible carried in prior to the Minister at

services, to emphasis that the Minister is a Servant of the Word, and under its

authority.


He also enjoyed being back in a congregation that had a choir willing to tackle hymns

other than those sung for the previous 50 years.

Sale of St. Paul’s Centre

One of Brian’s concerns on coming to the Parish was that of having two centres in

Kaiapoi - Wesley and St. Paul’s. The site of the two properties on opposite sides of the

river caused a divided witness. Parish officers could be seen as poor stewards of

resources. Thus the Parish Council asked the congregation at the 1995 Annual

Meeting for permission to investigate the possible sale of St. Paul’s Centre.

Permission was received from the parent churches and congregation to sell. Tenders

were called and that of the Waimakariri District Council for $215,000 was accepted.

Everyone expressed relief and pleasure that St. Paul’s would remain as a Community

facility.

Before the District Council took possession at the end of November 1996, a final

service was held there, attended by a large congregation and visitors. Guests spoke on

their reminiscences of the fund raising undertaken to have St. Paul’s built, and all the

subsequent activities held in the building.

The Moderator of Presbytery, Hamish Galloway wrote expressing good wishes.

Presbytery realised that the building had been a significant part of the Parish for many

years and that those in the Parish of a long standing Presbyterian background would

find the sale tinged with sadness. Clearly the sale also looked to the future, and the

best use of resources for God’s Mission in Kaiapoi.

The transfer of everything to the Wesley Centre was a mammoth task. Fred Pinkham,

Peter Nicholas, Dennis Fraser, Evan McGregor, Kathleen Campbell and many others

put in hours beyond counting. There was cleaning to be done and a garage to shift. As

Rev. Metherell said in his report to the Annual Meeting that it would be foolish to

suggest that there was no tension on the way. Fitting everything in the space available

was not easily resolved. The Parish Council spent many hours debating this.

The foundation stone of St. Paul’s was replanted on the Wesley site. Jack and Diane

Murray unveiled an appropriately inscribed plaque at a special ceremony. In 1967

Jack had placed the stone in its original position at St. Paul’s.

End of Rev. Metherell’s Ministry

At the end of 1997 Brian ended 40 years of what was for him, hard, intensive, but

deeply satisfying work - 7 years as a student and 33 years in Parish Ministry. A Choral

Service and pot luck lunch was held on the 21st December 1977 to farewell Brian and

Christine and to wish them well in retirement.


Parish profile

At the time of preparing the Parish profile in 1997, the Roll stood at 82 members, 350

families on the Pastoral Roll, 15 children (Pre-school - Form II) enrolled at Sunday

School, no Youth Group functioning, and one Study Group. Average size of

congregations was 56. The approximate percentage age of parishioners was - under 50

years, 22% and over 50 years, 78%.

Rev. Barry Harkness

The Stationing Committee of the Methodist Church suggested Rev. Barry Harkness as

Minister from 1998. He met with the Parish Council, representatives of parent

churches and others, with the outcome that Barry became Minister, working five-

sixth’s time.

His induction service was held on Wednesday the 4th February, 1998. After a service

in the Church, people met in the Lounge. Barry was welcomed by Arthur Taylor,

Chairman of the J.R.C., and Rev. Peter Axcell on behalf of the Kaiapoi Ministers.

Supper and a time of fellowship was then enjoyed by everyone.

As Barry did not require accommodation, the Church House was let. It was decided

about this time to close the Craft Shop in the Parsonage. The Parish Council regretted

this, but space was needed for the Parish Office.

Repairs and Maintenance

A major work in 1999 was the re-roofing of the Church and Wesley Centre. This was

done not too soon, as water was getting in, but no real damage had occurred. The

original wooden shingles were replaced by a modern product. A generous bequest

from Nancy Hills enabled this work to be done.

Building Extensions to Wesley Lounge

From the beginning of the Co-operating Parish, the size of the Wesley Lounge limited

the functions that could be held there. St. Paul’s was used for many gatherings, but its

situation on the other side of town precluded it from being used for funerals and other

after church meetings. After St. Paul’s was sold, the position was exacerbated. The

decision was made to proceed with what had originally been planned when the Wesley

Lounge was built. That the extension was needed reflected the fact that the parish was

enjoying a slow but steady growth in numbers.

Margaret Topp headed the Building Committee. After consultation with building

experts and the congregation, plans were drawn up. The architect was Tim Goodwin.

Progress was slow with planning permission required from the parent churches and

the District Council, but eventually tenders were called. In conjunction with building

the extension, the tower at the front of the church was repaired. Water had been


seeping in for a number of years causing the reinforcing to rust and expand, thus

breaking off chunks of concrete.

Finance for the project was from a Community Trust grant of $40,000, the Statham

Trust, some of the proceeds from the sale of St. Paul’s, the sale of the section at

Eyreton where the church had been, and the realisation of some legacy investments.

The total, including fees, building, and floor coverings was about $225,000.

The opening was held on Saturday, March 9 2002. After a short service in the Church,

the congregation moved to encircle the whole complex. In recognition of her efforts as

Convenor of the Building Committee, Margaret Topp cut the ribbon. The theme of the

opening was that “the Church is not buildings, it is people”. Invited guests each spoke

on an aspect of people and the Church.

Parish Secretaries

Special mention must be made of the outstanding work of the first Secretary of the

Co-operating Parish, Mr. A. Lloyd Cleland. Through his meticulous attention to detail

.and record keeping, the new venture got off to a good start.

Mr. Cleland was followed by the late Linda Stone until her resignation in 1985. For

the next eight or so years John and Mavis McKenzie were Joint Secretaries until their

resignation after John’s illness while away on Synod business in the North Island. The

Parish Council recorded “special thanks for work well done and the best wishes and

prayers for John’s future health.”

Mr Gavin Gray, previously a Session Clerk at St. Paul’s for many years, agreed to

take on the position as an interim measure. During his year in office he re-organised

the committees to facilitate Parish Council work, with the aim of having smaller more

active committees.

After Mr. Gray, Marion Eggleston continued in the position for about six years until

her retirement from Parish Council. Nola Johnstone was appointed in 2000 and

continues in the position.

Parish Office

Several people have given their time at the parish office, situated at first at St. Paul’s

Centre, where Mavis McKenzie gave valuable assistance. In recent years Rita Hewson

has assisted at the office in the Parsonage. Paula Capstick has helped produce the

weekly ‘Korero’ for a number of years.

J.R.C. and Negotiating Churches Unity Council.

The Joint Regional Committee - Rev. Ro Rogers was the liaison person at the

beginning of the co-operating venture. The Parish Council recorded their gratitude to

Ro for all the help that he had provided during those first years. The other liaison


persons since Ro have been: - Rev. Helen Wallis, Ross Lawn, and to the present, Ada

Smith.

We have been represented on the N.C.U.C. Mavis McKenzie was appointed as one of

two representatives of co-operating ventures in the top of the South Island. Fred

Pinkham is at present on the local J.R.C.

The Congregation 14/12/2003

The Choir 14/12/2003


The Parish Council 2003-2004

Back Row: Rev B. Harkness, F. Pinkham, R. Lambert, A Thomson (partially obscured), J.Cole, R.

Hewson

Front: M.Groocock, J.Mawson, N.Johnstone, C Blackburn, C.Steere, A.Hulston.

Junior Church Service 14/12/2003


2004

The forming of the co-operating venture may have been from a ‘slow sinking

situation’ of the Presbyterian and Methodist Parishes, but the coming together of

resources and people has resulted in a parish of strength.

The present Parish Council members are Catherine Blackburn, John Cole, Mike

Groocock, Rita Hewson, Ann Huiston, Nola Johnstone, Dick Lambert, Joan Mawson,

Fred Pinkham, Cynthia Steere, and Andrew Thomson.

The roll at present stands at approximately 70 members, with 119 families under

pastoral care. 24 children are on the roll of the Children’s Church, under the

enthusiastic leadership of Kathleen Campbell. An average of around 16 young people

attend youth activities ably led by a creative young couple - Stephen and Melanie Ede.

Groups continue to play a worthwhile part in parish activities. Women’s Fellowship

continues as it has for over 100 years, a Women’s group meets for friendship and

outings, likewise a Senior Men’s Group. As part of the parish’s outreach to the

community, Kathleen Campbell co-ordinates a craft group, and a holiday programme

for children. A monthly coffee morning is held for older women who are in rest homes

or live alone. They are brought to the Wesley Lounge for a get-together and a laugh.

As Tony Bell reported after the first ten years of the Co-operating Parish, the task at

the start was to ensure the co-operating venture became a viable Parish. This has been

well and truly achieved with the help, skills and gifts of many people. Our Parish has

also made a significant contribution in our community. Sometimes too, it has been

easy to get slightly depressed or frustrated about things, especially those not able to be

achieved.”

As emphasised at the opening of the extensions to the Wesley Centre: - the Church is

people who meet God; the Church is people of faith; the Church is people who follow

Jesus; the Church is people who are thankful to God. the Church is people who work;

the Church is people who care for those in crisis; the Church is people who reach

overseas; the Church is people who journey together.


MINISTERS OF THE CO-OPERATING

PARISH

Bell, A. N.

Rev. Tony Bell had the daunting task of getting the new co-operating venture off the

ground as well as establishing his own ministry in the parish.

Born 1944 in Lower Hutt, he trained as a telephone technician, starting at Hawera. He

transferred to Wellington and went into installations and later maintenance of PABXs.

When the manufacturing of PABXs began in New Zealand, he became the production

supervisor and chief test technician. He contended that the supervision of a large

number of female employees served him in good stead when he later took up pastoral

duties.

After training, his first appointment was at the Cambridge Union Parish, followed by

the Ashburton Methodist Circuit. Next was the Kaiapoi appointment. He left Kaiapoi

after ten years for the Matamata Union Patish (Methodist/Church of Christ), then

Avondale Union Parish where he was responsible for the English Speaking

Fellowships. While at Avondale, Waterview Methodist Church was added to his list.

His next appointment was to Gisborne as a Parish Superintendent and Joint

Presidential Commissioner with his wife Deaconess Shirley-Joy Barrow, working in

transitional ministry.

Tony is remembered for his involvement in the wider community of Kaiapoi. The

work he put in to have a much needed Community Development worker in Kaiapoi

took five years from the first discussions, to the appointment. He led the way in many

other community programmes, served on committees, and with his son Cohn was a

strong supporter of the BMX Club, helping to set it up.

Hildreth, E. A.

Errol Athol Hildreth was ordained in 1957 in the Baptist Church. During his ministry

he served with the Leprosy Mission and the Bible Society. In 1982 he was received by

the Presbyterian Assembly, serving as Stated Supply at Heriot. In 1983 he was

inducted in the parish of Waikouaiti. Errol was called to Kaiapoi and inducted on 16

November, 1989. Retired due to ill-health in 1994. Appointed a Minister Emeritus

30.11.1994.

Metherell, B.

Brian Metherell was born at Rangiora in 1934. Worked as a farmhand and freezing

worker in Southland prior to training for the ministry at Otago University and Knox

Theological Hall. He was ordained at Murupara-Galatea Parish 3.12.1964. Other

charges were at Pio Pio, Knox-St. Mark’s Wanganui, Eveline Oamaru, and Mackenzie

Co-op Parish at Fairhie.


Rev. Metherell began in Kaiapoi in 1995 as Stated Supply following Rev. Hihdreth’s

retirement. Accepted a call to the parish and remained until his retirement at the end of

1997. Minister Emeritus January 1998.

Harkness, B.

Barry was born in Dunedin in 1943. After attending university he was an importing

clerk before training for the ministry. His first appointment was at the Wanganui

North Methodist Parish in 1969. From 1971 to 1976 he was at the St. Albans

Methodist (Edgeware Road/Aldred), Parish. During 1977 he had time out from parish

work and became a labourer/driver.

South East Christchurch Union Parish (Linwood Avenue) was his next appointment

from 1978 to 1987, followed by Halswell Union 1988 to 1997. He commenced his

time at Kaiapoi in February 1998. In March 2002 the Joint Regional Committee and

the Parish Council agreed that he should have a further five year’s ministry in Kaiapoi.

The Parish Council and congregation feel extremely fortunate and grateful that Barry

chose to come to us, and appreciates all the good work that he continues to carry out.

Barry has contributed at different times to the wider work of the church, namely

serving as a Methodist representative on the Executive of the Conference of Churches,

a member of the Justice, Peace and Service Programme committee, Ministry

candidates convenor for the Methodist Synod and chairing the Journey’s End

Campsite committee.


METHODIST CHRONOLOGY 1853 Rev. John Aldred formally appointed to Canterbury, arriving in March 1854.

1855 Rev. Aldred reported “that there are now several church members at Kaiapoi

and that that village needed more attention.”

1856 The first Methodist service was held during a snowstorm on 12 August 1856,

in James Baker’s house. Kaiapoi became part of the High Street Christchurch

Circuit.

1858 The building of a chapel was commenced using timber cut by James Baker.

Until 1868 Kaiapoi was served by preachers who came out from

Christchurch.

Rev. Aldred was followed as Superintendent of the Christchurch Circuit by

the Rev. James Buller. He was succeeded by Rev. T. Buddle, followed by the

Rev. William Cannell in the years 1864 to 1866. Cannell was followed by the

ministry of the Rev. G. S. Harper from 1866 to 1868.

1860 The first Wesleyan Chapel on a site in Fuller Street to the west of the present

building, was opened on Easter Day 1860.

1864 The first marriage ceremony recorded was that of Richard Allen and Emily

Martha Ellen, at the residence of Mr. G. Ellen, on 26 December 1864.

1868 Kaiapoi became a separate Circuit, the same year Kaiapoi became a

Borough. It was also the year of a major flood which covered most of the

area between the Ashley and Waimakariri Rivers.

The Circuit was a large one, comprising Kaiapoi, Rangiora, Woodend,

Waikuku, Southbrook, West Eyreton, Cust, Coutts Island, Leithfield,

Raithby (Loburn), Ashley Downs, Mandeville Plains and Rangiora

Bush (Southbrook). Of note is that the first candidate nominated for

the Wesleyan ministry from the Kaiapoi Circuit, was William Keall.

A Parsonage was erected for the Rev. Richardson.

An interesting Marriage Registry entry for 1868 was for George Henry

Blackwell and Anne Shearsby.

1869 Rev. W. Beck appointed to assist in the Circuit.

1870 Rev. R. S. Bunn came and he worked the outlying areas. A new church was

erected on the site of the present Wesley Centre, with the original used as a

Sunday School.

1871 At a meeting in October, a move was made by Kaiapoi laymen to separate the

New Zealand Methodist Church from the Australian Conference. Conference

had selected a minister for Kaiapoi whose appointment was felt to be

“prejudicial to the interest of the church.” Later when the Rev. W. Beck left

Kaiapoi, the Circuit officials got their way and their preferred man, the Rev.

R. Bavin became the new minister.


A proposal was made to establish a Methodist Cemetery in Kaiapoi, but this

never eventuated.

1872 Rev. T. F. Reeve replaced the Rev. Bunn.

1873 At a meeting in September, presided over by the Chairman of the District,

the Rev. James Buller, it was resolved to divide the Circuit in two, creating a

new Circuit at Rangiora. Kaiapoi Circuit now included Coutts Island,

Mandeville and East Eyreton.

A church was opened at Swannanoa debt free.

The Rev. Bavin was now the Superintendent of the Circuit with the Rev. H.

Bull as second minister.

1874 The reduced Circuit saw the budget balanced. There were 84 members.

1875 The Rev. Bavin relinquished his Superintendency and was followed by the

Rev. W. H. Beck who remained until 1878.

A church was opened at East Eyreton, also debt free.

1876 This was the year that Mr. G. H. Blackwell was elected as lay representative

to Conference.

1877 Kaiapoi Church extended.

Mandeville was handed over to the care of the Rangiora Circuit, and a move

made to also annex the Ohoka Society to Rangiora but Kaiapoi did not agree.

The membership had declined to 53.

1878 Rev. J. Armitage appointed to Kaiapoi.

1879 Pipe organ built by Edgar Jenkins was installed.

1881 Rev. J. H. Simmonds came to the Circuit.

1882 Sunday School Hall built on the site of the first church building in Fuller

Street.

1884 Rev. J. H. Luxford succeeded the Rev. Simmonds. The membership was now

129 members, 237 Sunday School pupils and 23 teachers.

1886 An enlarged Circuit now comprised Kaiapoi, Clarkville, Coutts Island,

Woodend, Sefton, Waikuku, Leithfield, Amberley, East Eyreton, Swan nanoa

and Mandeville. The Rev. J. T. Pinfold was the minister based at Woodend.

1887 Rev. P. W. Fairclough became the Superintendent Minister.

1889 The Circuit was reduced to Kaiapoi, Clarkville, Coutts Island and East

Eyreton. Woodend and all places north formed the new Woodend Circuit.

1890 Rev. George Bond came to the Circuit.

1891 The Bible Christians joined with the Wesleyans. Their building, known as

the North Kaiapoi Church was shifted to Clarkville. Mr. R. Coup resigned

after 15 years as Secretary of the Trust.


1893 Rev. J. Smalley began his term.

1895 At the Conference of 1895, the Wesleyan Methodist Church of New

Zealand, the United Methodist Free Church, and the Bible Christians united,

becoming the Wesleyan Methodist Church.

Rev. Fairclough appointed for a second term.

1897 The Circuit was again enlarged, with the addition of Swannanoa, Ohoka,

Belfast and Marshlands.

1899 Rev. John Orchard appointed.

1901 An earthquake caused the Parsonage chimneys to come down.

1902 Rev. John Dukes appointed.

1905 Rev. H. E. Bellhouse. The Circuit was reduced, with Marshlands and Belfast

added to the City Circuit.

1906 The first fifty years celebrated with a Jubilee Anniversary Tea and Concert

sponsored by the Sunday School. G. H. Blackwell, R. Coup and W. Weston

gave short reminiscences.

1907 Rev. T. Trestrail.

1909 Rev. C. Roberts joined the Circuit, stationed at Ohoka.

1910 Rev. A. Mitchell.

1911 Rev. H. Orchard replaced Rev. Roberts at Ohoka.

1913 Circuit divided to only Kaiapoi, Coutts Island and Clarkville.

The death recorded of Joseph Stanton, who was a Trustee for over 40 years.

1914 Rev. P. W. Fairclough returned for a third term.

1915 At the January Quarterly Meeting, the death of Mr. G. H. Blackwell was

recorded.

1917 Rev. Fairciough died after an operation. The Circuit was supervised while

without a resident minister by the Chairman of the District, the Rev. A. C.

Lawry. Deaconess Sister Constance was the interim appointment until the

Rev. W. Ready was invited.

1920 Rev. W. B. Scott succeeded the Rev. Ready.

The first move to erect a new church was made. A telephone was installed in

the Parsonage, with the Minister paying half the rental.

1921 The death of Mr. Richard Evans was recorded.

1925 Rev. W. G. Slade.

Two long standing church officers resigned in this year. Mr. Fred

Thorne, Secretary of the Trust since 1904, and Mr. W. E. Bate.

Treasurer for seventeen years.


1928 Further progress was made for a new church when Miss S. E. Evans was

appointed Treasurer of the ‘New Church Fund.’

1929 Rev. O. Burnet. It was during his ministry that through “his gracious

personality and winsome ways” that the new church became an accomplished

fact.

1931 Mr. J. W. A. McDougall was elected Secretary of the Trust, and the ‘New

Church Building Fund.’

1934 The stone laying ceremony of the new church was held on the 1st September.

1935 Official opening of the new church took place on Saturday February

9th, 1935.

Rev. Burnet left to be followed by the Rev. L. C. Horwood.

1939 Rev. H. L. Richards. His ministry was during the first years of the Second

World War.

1943 Rev. G. Parker. During his term a MenIs Fellowship began.

1944 Rev. G. B. Hinton.

1945 Mr. A. J. Kennett resigned as Superintendent of the Sunday School, after 20

years service.

1948 The first combined services with the Presbyterians during the holiday period

commenced, and continued thereafter almost every January.

1949 The Rev. O. Burnet began a second term.

1952 The death of Abraham Blakeley marked the passing of another outstanding

personality in the life of Kaiapoi Methodism.

1954 Rev. B. H. Riseley.

1955 An enlarged Circuit now comprised Kaiapoi, Clarkville, Ohoka, East

Eyreton and Swannanoa.

Finances of the Circuit were healthy, the membership stood at 170 adult

members, while the Sunday Schools and Bible Classes were in good heart.

1956 Centennial of 100 years of work, witness and worship in Kaiapoi and

District.

1957 Membership recorded as Kaiapoi 125, Ohoka 34, Eyreton 4 and Swannanoa

2.

1960 Rev. H. V. Utting.

1961 Eyreton Church removed to the Methodist Leigh Camp at Loburn.

1964 Rev. J. H. Thompson.


1966 A memorial window ‘The Last Supperl was dedicated. Ohoka Church

celebrated its centenary in March.

1967 A modern ‘Beat Service’ for young people was attended by a large audience.

1969 Rev. H. A. Cochrane.

1972 Rita Hewson was appointed Circuit Treasurer.

1973 The Centenary of the Swannanoa Church was celebrated on the 12th

October.

1974 Approval given for the building of a Christian Education Centre at the rear of

the church.

1975 Rev. S. C. Grant’s ministry at Kaiapoi began. The 93 year old Sunday

School building in Fuller Street was demolished.

Demolishing Sunday School Hall, Fuller Street, 1975.

1977 Plans were completed for the Christian Education Centre.

Letter received from the Session Clerk of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church

regarding union. The Quarterly Meeting moved “that we give further

consideration and that a committee from each church should meet and

discuss the matter.”

1978 The Christian Education Centre was officially opened on 19 February, 1978

by Mr. Ron Hide.


The Methodist representatives on the combined committee to discuss aspects

of a co-operative parish were:- Evelyn Bannan, Betty Tindall, Margaret Read

(Topp), Serv. Moore, Ron Hide, John McKenzie and the Rev. Stuart Grant.

Methodist Communion Card


METHODIST PARISH Early days

Methodism’s roots in Canterbury go beyond the first days of Kaiapoi European

history. Wesleyan Missionaries had laboured in New Zealand from the 1820s. A

Methodist minister, the Rev. James Watkin recorded in his diary that in 1851 he

baptised 18 Maoris at Kaiapoi. By the 1850s however, the Maori Mission in

Canterbury was declining and it soon became apparent that the Maori work would

wane and the European work grow as the Canterbury settlement became established.

Although Canterbury was intended to be an Anglican settlement, Methodists were

among the tradesmen, servants and farm workers who accompanied the first settlers. It

has been recorded by W. H. Doubleday that “meetings peculiar to Wesleyanism were

held regularly upon one of the four ships on the voyage out to Canterbury. Their

prayer meetings were continued after arrival and were held chiefly at the various

homes of those settlers”.

Of all the religious faiths, Methodism made the most determined effort to reach the

small farming settlements of North Canterbury. The first Methodist pastor, the Rev.

John Aldred, arrived in Christchurch in 1854, and almost immediately visited Kaiapoi,

although the European population was small. The Rev. Aldred reported in 1855 “that

there are now several church members at Kaiapoi and that the village needed more

attention.” The first Methodist service was held during a disastrous snow-storm in the

home of James and Sarah Baker, on August 12th 1856.

James and Sarah Baker, with their family had arrived in the Cressy in 1850 and lived

for twelve months in a cave on the Lyttelton side of the Port Hills, In 1853 they came

by bullock dray to Kaiapoi, building a sod house somewhere near Otaki Street. This

house became the centre of religious worship for Kaiapoi and was used by other

denominations for services and celebrations until they were able to build their own

churches. The Anglicans had services at 6 p.m., the Roman Catholics at 7 p.m. and the

Wesleyans at 8 p.m.

Kaiapoi became part of the High Street Christchurch Circuit, and services were held in

the Baker’s house for the residents on the south side of the river and occasionally in

the home of Mr. J. Jones of Sidey Quay, for those north of the river. The Maori

population had its own special services conducted by the Rev. Aldred.

The branches of Methodism

Three branches of Methodism had meeting places in Kaiapoi in the early days; the

Wesleyans, the Primitive Methodists, and the Bible Christian Church. The Lyttelton

Times of 7.9.1882 reported the opening tea-meeting of the Primitive Methodists in

their newly purchased building in Raven Street. Mr. Miller was in the Chair, and

addresses were given by the Rev. J. Simmonds and Mr. Jones, representing the

Wesleyans.


The Bible Christian Church, known as the North Kaiapoi Church, was taken over by

the Wesleyans in 1891. Their building was shifted to Clarkville.

The Wesleyans, the United Free Methodists and the Bible Christian Church in New

Zealand united in 1896 to become the Wesleyan Methodist Church. By 1913 with the

Primitive Methodists, the four groups had joined to form the autonomous and

independent Methodist Church of New Zealand.

First church at Kaiapoi

The completion of the first Wesleyan Church in Kaiapoi and its opening on Easter

Day, 1860, was a red letter day in the lives of those early Methodist people. This

church was erected on a section in Fuller Street just west of the present church and

cost 700 pounds. The builders were Mority and Fraser. The clergy at the opening were

Rev. J. Aldred and Rev. T. R. Fisher. Dr. W. Morley in his history of Methodism in

New Zealand reported that “With its ecclesiastical windows, numerous spirates and

buttresses, it was esteemed a triumph of architecture.” It was an ambitious enterprise

considering the small number of church members, and the difficulty in obtaining

materials. It was an outstanding example of the spirit of those early Methodists. At the

time of its opening only 148 pounds was owing.

Ist Kaiapoi Methodist Church 1860, sited about 41 Fuller Street.


Unfortunately, the building rocked badly during north-westerly gales and had to be

stabilised by numerous buttresses to counteract the steep and heavy roofing. The first

Trustees were Charles Fairweather, Matthew Hall, William Hills, William Morgan,

William T. Newnham, Edwin Parnham, William Wake, Alfred Weston, William

Weston, Isaac Wilson, Thomas Wilson and Henry Wyatt.

Local preachers came out from Christchurch. Messrs Broughton, Connal and others

walked there and back on the same day for that purpose. Mr. Garrick was frequently

appointed and was always welcome. Mr. Matthew Hall, the first Mayor of Kaiapoi,

was also an able preacher and often supplied when the stated preacher failed to attend.

Kaiapoi Circuit

1868 was the year Kaiapoi, and the area north as far as Leithfield, and west to West

Eyreton formed a circuit separate from Christchurch. The boundaries of the Circuit

were adjusted many times over the years, but the area around Kaiapoi, namely

Clarkville, East Eyreton, Swannanoa and Ohoka were the main circuit parishes. A

strong area of early Methodism in the Kaiapoi Circuit was at Woodend. The settlers

who arrived in 1857-8, were soon walking weekly to Kaiapoi to attend class meetings

before their church was erected. Woodend Brethren served the Circuit in many

capacities until 1889, when their own Circuit was formed.

Present at the first Quarterly Meeting were Rev. Thomas Buddle, Chairman of the

District, the Rev. J. B. Richardson, the first resident minister, and Messrs Atkinson,

Graham, Keall, Little, Newnham, Patrick, Wake, Weston, Isaac Wilson, and Veysey.

The first Circuit Stewards appointed were T. Wilson and Matthew Hall. There were

156 adult members. Income at the end of the first quarter was 68 pounds, 5 shillings

and 2 pence. Expenditure was 70 pounds, 1 shilling and 9 pence. The minister’s

stipend was to be 220 pounds per annum with 10 pounds travelling allowance. A

resolution of this first meeting was “to thank the Christchurch Quarterly Meeting for

the liberal vote of 60 pounds to the Kaiapoi Circuit, and to the local preachers for their

efficient aid.”

A Parsonage was erected for the Rev. Richardson. It was a plain and unadorned

structure, costing 300 pounds.

At the second Quarterly Meeting a resolution was passed to appoint a second

preacher, with the Rev. R. Bavin to be the minister based at Rangiora at a stipend of

160 pounds. However, he did not take up the position until later. Eventually William

Keall was appointed to the position.

New Church

In 1871 a new church costing 650 pounds was opened with a debt of 200 owing on it.

The Parsonage had just been built, and after paying all liabilities there was a balance

in hand of 51 pounds and it was resolved that this amount should form the nucleus of

the new church fund. The fact that the building was decided upon when there was so

little money actually in hand affords a demonstration of the great faith of the people.


The plans were drawn by a Mr. Rutland of Christchurch, the builder Mr. Robert

Wright. Captain William Morgan laid the foundation stone in 1870, and the building

was opened in January 1871. The preachers for the day being the Revs. J. Aldred and

W. Beck.

2nd Methodist Church at corner of Peraki and Fuller Streets.

The old church survived another twelve years and was used as a Sunday School. All

this development took place within fourteen years of the initial start at Kaiapoi. It

shows the energy and enterprise of the pioneer Methodists in Canterbury.

The Parsonage was added to in 1874, the cost being nearly as much as the outlay for

the original. Extensions to the church costing 370 pounds, were undertaken in 1877,

but ten years later the Trustees were becoming concerned about the weakness in the

roof of the church.

Disagreement with Conference

At the Quarterly Meeting of 2 April, 1884, attended by Rev. J. H. Simmonds in the

chair, and Messrs Blackwell, Coup, Heap, Ward, Burnet, Ellen, Brighting, Pashby,

Martin and Burrows. Mr. Blackwell moved a hearty vote of thanks to the Rev.

Simmonds for the manner in which he had filled the position of pastor to their church


and expressed regret at his removal necessitated by the rule of the Australasian

Conference.

The Rev. Simmons replied, expressing the pleasure he had had in ministering to the

congregation. Messrs Blackwell and Pashby then handed in their resignations as

Circuit Stewards, as did Messrs Ward and Sutherland the Society Stewards, because

of the way in which the Conference had disregarded the wishes of the congregation on

the ministerial appointments. The appointment of new office bearers in their place was

allowed to stand until the next meeting. At the request of the Chairman Mr. Burnet

promised to attend to the finances until new officers were elected.

The next meeting was chaired by Rev. W. Morley, Chairman of the District, with the

new minister the Rev. J. Luxford, and Messrs R. Alexander, E. Butcher, J. T.

Burrows, R. Coup, R. Evans, G. A. Ellen, J. Heap, E. Hornby, T. Burnet and S.

Neville. Messrs R. Coup and G. Ellen were elected the new Circuit Stewards.

From a nil deficit in the balance sheet at the previous meeting, the amount had

climbed to 43 pounds. It was moved “that the Circuit plans be printed with the

Balance Sheet attached, and distributed gratis.” Mr. T. J. Burnet was thanked for his

valuable services during the last quarter.

The first twenty-five years.

The first twenty-five years of Methodist history in Kaiapoi was one of financial

struggle, and a small membership. The early pioneering days of the larger Circuit were

the most encouraging with the wider interest and fellowship, but it should be

remembered that those were the days of poor transport, and a lack of ready money.

Expenditure always seemed to be more than the income, but the deficit was often

made up by those present at the Quarterly Meeting. What devotion and loyalty to

Christ those early parishioners displayed.

New Sunday School building

The year 1882 marked a new era in the history of the Kaiapoi Church. In May a

special meeting was convened to consider plans for a new Sunday School. The

Trustees of church property at that time were Messrs. Anderson, Blackwell, Harper,

Kirk, Neville, Parnham, Stanton, Weston and Wyatt. However, the task of erecting the

new building was undertaken by a special Sunday School Building Committee they

called ‘Begging and Building.’ This committee knew that the Church Trustees had

borrowed 120 pounds belonging to the Sunday School and requested its return. It took

over a year to get it. However, the Sunday School contract was duly signed. The

builder was Mr. Weston and price 627 pounds. This building was considered “the

model of a modern Sunday School.” The roll numbered 225 pupils with 22 teachers.

Classes were held morning and afternoon.

In 1893 the roof of the Kaiapoi Church had become a problem, and was reshingled at

a cost of 60 pounds. (The current church had similar problems in the 1990s.) In 1896

when the Rev. Fairciough started his second term the Parsonage was again enlarged.


Debts and loans, with bazaars and lectures to raise funds seemed to follow each other

with monotonous regularity. The bazaar held in 1896 must have been a monster affair

because over 300 pounds was realised, liquidating all debts on the church properties.

Postcard picture of Methodist Church corner of Peraki and Fuller Streets.

Mission weeks were held. In 1913 gratitude was expressed for the gracious work in

connection with the recent mission. Everyone seemed to throw their heart and soul

into this mission and the choir, organist and organ blower received special comment

for they “turned out regularly night after night during the mission.”

In 1914 the Rev. Fairclough returned for a third term. During those sad war years,

many in the parish lost family members.

In June of 1913 a move was afoot to build a new Parsonage at Kaiapoi and in January

1914, it was reported that 400 pounds was available on loan for 8 years. The Quarterly


Meeting voted 50 pounds towards the project. The architect was Mr. Lovell-Smith.

This building has a Historic Places Trust classification.

Kaiapoi Methodist Church, H Blackwell’s Wedding. At rear Roman Catholic Church steeple.

War years

By January 1917 the full impact of the war was being felt, with reports of the death in

action of several parishioners. Sorrow followed sorrow, and in April 1917 the death

occurred of the minister, the Rev. Fairclough. Extracts from a resolution at the

Quarterly Meeting was “that this meeting expresses its profound grief at the loss of

our beloved Minister - we wish to record our sense of the profound loss that New

Zealand Methodism generally, and our Circuit in particular, suffers by his death.” His

last letter to the church officials was an offer to reduce his stipend and a donation to

reduce the Circuit debt.

The months that followed were difficult ones without a resident minister, but a

Deaconess, Sister Constance, served in the parish. The Chairman of the District the

Rev. A. C. Lawry took over the oversight of the Circuit until a new minister could be

appointed. By December 1917, the Circuit was able to invite the Rev. William Ready.

New Church building

The first move to erect a new church was made in 1920, but it was not until 1928 that

further progress was made when Miss S. E. Evans was appointed Treasurer of the

New Church Fund. By 1931 on the election of Mr. J. W. A. McDougall as Secretary

of the Trust, the Trustees had found a suitable and gifted man to lead the New Church

Building Committee. Although a good start had been made to collect the necessary

finance, these were the days of the depression, and ‘caution’ was the key word. The


minister of that time, the Rev. O. Burnet offered to take a cut in salary that was not

accepted that year, but was the following year.

Queen Carnival 1934.

The foundation stone of the new church with the wording ‘To the Glory of God’ was

laid by Miss S. E. Evans on September 1st 1934. The stone has the date 25 August,

1934 but the ceremony was postponed a week because of wet weather.

The Church was built in reinforced concrete with the outside walls covered in a textile

finish, with the roof of dark stained shingles. The weather vane which had been on the

old church nearly sixty years previously, was installed on the tower. The architect was

Mr. R. Lovell-Smith and the builder Mr. W. C. Tourell of Kaiapoi. This building also

has a Historic Places classification.

On Saturday 9 February, 1935 a great crowd gathered in beautiful weather for the

eagerly awaited opening. The Rev. O. Burnet requested Mr. Fred Thorne, the oldest

Trustee and Society Steward, to open the door. Mr. Thorne was presented with a

miniature gold key.

A Dedication Service was conducted by the Rev. C. Eaton, President of Conference,

assisted by the Revs. E. Drake, R. Pratt and Burnet. The organist was Mrs. J. H.

Blackwell. The choir under the leadership of Mr. A. Blakeley, sang a Consecration

Hymn, with Miss E. Thorne singing the first solo in the church.


Four people who attended the opening, Mrs.T. Hassall, Mrs. R. Baker, Mrs. S.

Brighting, and Mr H. Keetley were present in 1860 when the first church was opened.

Others present remembered the opening of the second church in 1870.

The font was donated by Mrs. H. H. Blackwell. On the 17 February, Helen Poole nee

Blackwell, and Graham McDougall were the first babies to be baptised in the new

church. The Christening was performed by the Rev. W. Bramwell Scott, with Rev.

Burnet officiating at the service.

Standing: Julie McDougall, Lois Archer, Brenda Johnstone, Sally Evans, Jeanette Mealings, Melva

Vickery

Seated: Joan Hopkins, Cynthia McEwen.

The Second World War

The Rev. H. L. Richards was the minister during the early years of the Second World

War. At the Quarterly Meeting of October 1942 the matter of an invitation for him to

remain for another year came up for discussion. The Rev. Richards intimated “that as

there appeared to be some feeling in the Circuit concerning his holding pacifist views,

some people feeling that they could neither attend, nor support the church under those

circumstances, that he did not feel justified in remaining another year.” A protracted

discussion followed, the meeting being of no one mind as to whether there should be a

change of minister or not. It was eventually decided to adjourn the meeting in order

that the Chairman of the District might come out for consultation and advice, but later

it was disclosed that some members were so opposed to this that they would not be


prepared to attend such a meeting. The minister then stated definitely that he would

not be remaining in the Circuit for another year. A motion, leaving the appointment to

Conference was carried.

It was recorded “that no accusation was made against the Rev. H. L. Richards that he

advocated Pacifism from the pulpit, or ever in any way violated the Conference pact

of 1940 on the subject.”

Building plans

For the next twenty to thirty years ideas and plans for new buildings came and went.

In 1947 the minister called the attention of the Trustees to the unsatisfactory state of

the Sunday School building. A proposal was put forward for a new Sunday School in

1950, and a site was sought from the Railways Department for a section opposite the

church, but the Department would not sell.

Rev. B. H. Riseley

From about 1955 reports were stating that the finances of the Circuit were healthy, the

membership stood at 170 adult members, while the Sunday Schools and Bible Classes

were in good heart. This was a period of economic and population growth in Kaiapoi.

To extend its life for a few more years, the Sunday School was renovated in 1954,

with even the Rev. Ben Riseley donning overalls to help. He also donated materials

for the work.


Kaiapoi District Historical Society - On left Rev B Riseley (developer of the Riseley Block)

100 years of work and witness

1956 marked 100 years of work, witness and worship at Kaiapoi. The celebrations

were held over a week, beginning with a reunion of old members and adherents in the

Sunday School Hall on Saturday afternoon of the 24th November. At the 11 am

service on the Sunday the Preacher was the Rev. W. G. Slade and the evening service

the Rev. Dr. Raymond Dudley was the Preacher. Monday evening, a Centennial

Banquet was held with the Chairman of the North Canterbury District, Rev. Blight

attending. Tuesday the Sunday School Scholars held a concert. On Wednesday a

United Service of Thanksgiving was held in the Church, with the Dean of

Christchurch, the Very Rev. Martin Sullivan preaching. Music was by the Combined

Kaiapoi Choirs. The festivities ended with the Sunday School Anniversary Service on

Sunday 2nd December. Fifty years ago they certainly knew how to celebrate the

achievements of the parishioners and their consistent faithfulness to Christ.

The Rev. Riseley in his farewell address 5.10.1959, said he was pleased to have

worked in the Kaiapoi Circuit and he appreciated the harmony that existed. He felt

that he had not achieved some things, ie a new church at Ohoka, or a new Sunday

School Building at Kaiapoi. He was also concerned at the age of the congregation.


Building plans again

A special meeting was held in October 1965, regarding the replacement of the

Parsonage and the Sunday School Hall. A deputation had attended the previous

Quarterly Meeting and expressed their view that a large number of church members

had lost confidence in the present policy in regard to planned buildings, and that the

financial aspects as well as alternative plans had not been given sufficient

consideration. A section at the corner of Peraki and Fuller Streets had been donated,

but it was not expected that the Church Building & Loan Fund would allow a Sunday

School on that site.

Plans were drawn up for a new Parsonage, and in 1968 it was moved that plans be also

drawn for the proposed Sunday School. When the Clarkville church and section was

sold, permission had been granted to use the proceeds for the Parsonage. However, at

the meeting in July 1968 the finance committee recommended that the building

programme be held in abeyance.

Not until 1974 was approval given by the Church Trustees for the building of a

Christian Education Centre at the rear of the church. The previous resolution made in

1966 to erect a new Parsonage was rescinded.

Rev. S. Grant

The next year the 93 year old Sunday School building in Fuller was demolished. Long

regarded as a model building of its type, it had become very dilapidated and a

considerable fire risk.

By 1977 plans were at last completed for the Christian Education Centre. Tenders

were to be called in two stages: - First the kitchen, lounge, toilets and storeroom, and

the second for a hall. The second stage did not proceed until the extension was

constructed in 2001.

The official opening was on 19 February 1978. The architect was originally Mr. Paul

Pascoe, and after his death, Mr. Simon Pascoe. The builder was Maurice Carter

Contractors Ltd. The project was a challenge for the architect because of the need to

adjoin and blend with the design of the church and brick Parsonage. The total cost was

about $58,000. Finance for the project was from funds accumulated in the building

fund for some years, sale of some sections and a loan.

The opening was preceded by a service in the church. The main speaker was the Rev.

R. H. Allen, Chairman of the North Canterbury Methodist District, who spoke of the

first parishioners meeting in tents and private homes. Mr. Allen said “that people were

always more important than unchipped paintwork. Signs of wear would mean the

building was being used for people.” After the service, the congregation moved to the

main entrance of the centre, where the Rev. Stuart Grant dedicated the building, which

was then opened by Mr. Ron Hide, a long serving Church Trustee and Circuit

Steward. In July 1977, discussions were held regarding building flats for low-income


people on the old Sunday School section in Fuller Street. The matter was referred to

the Trustees. This development did not proceed.

Towards a Union Parish

In 1977 at a Quarterly Meeting a motion was passed in regards to giving further

consideration to an approach from the Session of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, for a

union parish.

The Kaiapoi Circuit retained a tradition of having the services of some of the

outstanding ministers of the Methodist Connexion. At least thirteen were Presidents of

Conference. As Dr. W. Morley said of Kaiapoi Methodism early in the 20th Century

“Kaiapoi Methodism is distinguished for the zeal, liberality, and loyalty of its

laymen.” This comment remained true throughout its history.


BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES OF THE METHODIST

MINISTERS

Aldred, J. John Aldred was brought up in the Anglican faith, but became a Methodist

by conviction and choice. He and his wife Mary with their five children, arrived in

Auckland in 1849. He was first appointed to Taranaki, then to Nelson, and after other

appointments, settled in Christchurch. An educated, painstaking preacher and a most

efficient pastor. He was a man with a kind heart. He died in 1894.

Richardson, J. B. The Rev. J. B. Richardson, son of an English Wesleyan minister,

was the first resident minister in Kaiapoi from 1868 to 1870 He was not a fluent

speaker, but was thoughiful. Elected President of Conference, he was on his way to

the General Conference in Adelaide, and lost his life in the wreck of the ‘Tararua’,

April 29th 1881.

Keall, W. William Keall assisted in the Circuit in 1869. A native of Lincoinshire he

was tender hearted, yet a strict disciplinarian. He was the first local man nominated as

a candidate for the ministry by the Kaiapoi Circuit. President of Conference 1893. He

died in 1906.

Beck, W. H. The Rev. W. H. Beck assisted in the Circuit in the years 1869- 71, and

served a second term in 1875-78 as Superintendent. He came from Sussex, and

converted under the Rev. Aldred, ministry. Amiable in temperament, sympathetic and

a captivating preacher. He was a master in the use of illustration in sermons. Died in

1922.

Bunn, R. S. Arrived in the Circuit in 1870 and worked the outlying areas. Came from

Victoria Australia in 1863. He had great energy, was a powerful preacher, and having

had experience of Australian goldfields, was a favourite with seafaring men. His

health failed and he returned to Sydney. Died in 1907.

Gilbert, H. G. C. He followed the Rev. Beck in 1871 as second man in the Circuit.

Bavin, R. The Rev. Rainsford Bavin, 1872 to 1874. Born in Lincoinshire, he

converted at the early age of 12, began preaching at 16, became a school teacher, then

a candidate for the ministry in 1864. Arrived in New Zealand in 1866. Fervent in

spirit, genial, a successful minister. In one New Zealand Circuit he won over 300

converts.

President of Conference in 1883. In 1889 he left for Australia and died in 1905.

Reeve, T. F. Assisted in Circuit as second man in the years 1872-1873, and resided at

Leithfield.

Bull, H. The Rev. H. Bull, a native of London, assisted in the Circuit 1873- 74 based

at Woodend. He was a man of force and energy, a painstaking preacher, diligent


pastor and careful administrator. He possessed a wonderful store of facts relating to

early Methodism in New Zealand.

President of Conference in 1886. Died in 1919.

Armitage, J. The Rev. John Armitage 1878-81. Born in 1834, he became a printer,

and in 1863 came to New Zealand with his wife and children. He started work with

‘The Press’, but when asked to work on Sundays transferred to ‘The Lyttelton Times.’

In 1869 he and J. T. Smith setup a printing business in Christchurch. In 1870 he

published the ‘Christian Observer’ and in 1871 this publication was incorporated in

‘The NZ Wesleyan,’ the first Methodist newspaper. He later became Editor. Since the

age of 16 he had been a local preacher and continued preaching when he came to New

Zealand. He became a Home Missionary at Leithfield, was ordained at Oamaru before

coming to Kaiapoi.

His sister Ann, while visiting John, met and married local farmer and businessman,

George Coup.

A month after leaving Kaiapoi for Leeston, he lost his life in the ‘Tararua’ on the way

to Australia for the Conference.( Zealand in 1973. Exceedingly genial, vivacious,

animated (Baker, Marcia. “The Armitage Family’ Crosslink, April 2000 and May 2000)

Simmonds, J. H. Rev. Simmonds 1881-84. A man before his time. Born in Nelson,

became a missionary to Fiji but returned because of ill-health. He was studious,

thoughtful, spoke with great precision, a teacher, and musician. Became Principal of

Three Kings College.

President of Conference in 1895. He died in 1936.

Luxford, J. H. Born in Wellington. His first charge was Woodend. Saw service in the

BoerWar as a Chaplain and volunteered for World War I, going to Gallipoli with the

main body where he was wounded. A painstaking poetic preacher of compact

sermons. He had a great regard for the ‘dignity’ of worship, and inculcated reverence

for the Lord’s House.

President of Conference 1903. Died in Auckland in 1921.

Fairciough, P. W. The Rev. Paul Wynyard Fairclough, served three terms in the

Kaiapoi Circuit, 1889-90, 1897-99 and 1914-17. He was born in South Australia in

1852, and came over to the West Coast at the time of the gold rush. There he became a

local preacher and was recommended for the ministry. Widely read, and a lucid and

effective writer, he was editor of the Connexional Paper for six years. Rev. Fairclough

had a love of astronomy and was a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society.

President of the first historic United Conference held in Wellington in 1887.

He died after an operation while in his third term at Kaiapoi. His last letter to the

church officials was an offer to reduce his stipend, and a donation to reduce the

Circuit debt.


Bond. G. Rev. George Bond, 1890-93. Born near Durham England, he came to New

Zealand in 1973. Exceedingly genial, vivacious, animated speaker, beloved by all,

especially the young.

Smalley, J. S. Rev. J. S. Smalley, 1893-1896. A native of London, became a

Connexional Evangelist, a man of more than ordinary gifts, he attracted large

congregations.

Orchard, J. Rev. John Orchard, 1899-1902. A tireless work, genial in disposition.

Originally a Bible Christian minister, a church builder and organiser.

President of Conference in 1899, he died in 1907.

Dukes, J. Rev. John Dukes, 1902-05. He came from Staffordshire in 1879. Of slight

physique, he was a gifted preacher and organiser, friend of all, enemy of none. He had

outstanding faith and courage. He died in 1919 after much suffering.

Bellhouse, H. E. Rev. Bellhouse, 1905-06. Born in Yorkshire, he came to New

Zealand at an early age. A gifted preacher and writer.

President of Conference in 1919, he died in 1948.

Trestrail, T. Rev. T. Trestrail, 1907-10. He was an aggressive type, with a rugged

personality. A faithful pastor and organiser. He died in 1920.

Blamires, E. O. Rev. Blamires, second minister in the Circuit, appointed to Ohoka in

1906 until 1908.

Roberts, C. Rev. Roberts, 1909-11. He was stationed at Ohoka. Unassuming, an

excellent pastor, beloved by all. He retired from the ministry in 1945.

Mitchell, A. Rev. Arthur Mitchell, 1910-14. A minister in Bible Christian Church, he

was born in Victoria Australia. Amiable, courteous, a splendid singer, and an able

preacher. He died in 1951.

Orchard, H. Rev. H. Orchard, 1911-13. Stationed at Ohoka. He was an able preacher

and administrator. He retired in 1947.

Olds, Constance. Sister Constance was supplied as an interim appointment after the

death of Rev. Fairclough. She was a sister of Revs. C. H. and E. T. Olds, and later

married Rev. A. Bensley and they served as missionaries in the Solomon Islands for

many years.

Ready, W. Rev. William Ready came to Kaiapoi at the end of 1917. He was born in

London, one of a family of twelve. His parents were Irish Roman Catholics and both

died early leaving William an orphan at seven. For five years he was a city waif until

rescued by a City Missionary. He was sent to an orphanage in Bristol and there

learned to read. Apprenticed to a miller, a member of the Bible Christian Church, he

was converted and proceeded on to school and then local preaching. Attended the

Bible Christian College before coming to New Zealand about 1888.


During the war years he was a Padre in the Services before his timely return in 1917

when he was placed as Superintendent of the Kaiapoi Circuit. No doubt his chaplaincy

service had enriched an already exciting life and he was one of our most delighiful

preachers. 1918 proved to be a time of joy for the Rev. Ready, for his son Lieutenant

Ready returned from the war, and in gratitude to God for his goodness, paid for the

concrete paths around the Parsonage. A small memorial for his son R. C. Ready killed

in action, is etched into the concrete by the front steps of the Parsonage.

So pleased were the folk with their Minister, that they voted him a 10 pound bonus in

January 1919. He moved to Durham Street Christchurch in 1920. President of

Conference in 1912. He died in 1927.

Scott, W. B. Rev. William Bramwell Scott was a man who endeared himself to the

Kaiapoi Church and the Community, becoming a Borough Councillor. He was known

as the ‘Football Parson’, but was also a lover of beautiful things. He, together with Mr.

H. Trousselot and others, formed the Kaiapoi Beautifying and Burgesses’ Association.

They undertook the improvement of the river banks but their most ambitious scheme

was the rose garden, previously the site of a rubbish dump. This garden remains today

as the ‘Scott Rose Garden.’ - Rev. Scott was an excellent preacher, popular with

young people. Served as a Chaplain in WW I. He died in 1935.

Rev. W. B. Scott. The Scott Rose Garden was named after him.

Slade, W. G. The Rev. W. G. Slade, M.A. and D.D., came to Kaiapoi in 1925. Under

his ministry the spiritual life of the church was developed and the emphasis upon


Evangelism maintained. He later became Secretary to the Board of Examiners, and

Secretary of Conference. He was honoured with the degree of Doctor of Divinity, an

honour justly given. Rev. Slade ministered in many of the leading Circuits with

conspicuous success.

President of Conference in 1947. He went as representative of our New Zealand

Church to the Methodist Ecumenical Conference in the U. S. A.

Burnet,O. Rev.O. Burnet, 1929-35, and again 1949-54. Rev. Burnet, quiet and

unassuming, his ministry was ably supported by his wife, and they both endeared

themselves to the youth of the church, as well as to the adult congregation. It was

during his term that the present Wesley Centre Church was opened. Retired from

active ministry in 1954.

Horwood, L. C. Rev. Horwood, 1935 to 1939. He was supported by his gifted wife,

the daughter of T. E. Taylor. Rev. Horwood’s able method of presenting the Gospel

was forceful and he attracted quite a few ‘outsiders’ to the Church.

Richards, H. L. Rev. H. L. Richards, ministered during the critical war years, 1939 to

1943. A gifted and thoughtful preacher. Retired from active ministry in 1948.

Parker, G. In 1943 the Rev. Gordon Parker came to Kaiapoi. After two years, he left

for England to further his studies where he obtained the degree of Ph. D. He was a

lover of the outdoors and his ministry was marked by his genuine friendliness. During

his term as Superintendent, the Men’s Fellowship came into being.

Hinton, G. B. Rev. G. B. Hinton came to the Circuit in 1944, and remained until 1949

when he retired from active ministry because of ill-health, although in 1956 he was

still serving as a Hospital Chaplain, and acting as supply for Ohoka and East Eyreton.

He had a wide experience in the ministry in England and New Zealand, leading to the

Superintendency of some of the leading Circuits.

“In all his Circuits he has laboured unceasingly as an earnest preacher and zealous

pastor... he has been rich in esteem and affection of his people.”

Riseley, B. H. Rev. Ben H. Riseley, 1954-1960, left his mark on Kaiapoi with his

name being associated with the Riseley Block subdivision. He bought a block of farm

land west of Otaki Street with the intention of building accommodation for the elderly.

This idea was abandoned because of the difficulty in getting Council consent, but

eventually the low priced sections were sold on easy terms to assist young people get

their own homes. The names of the streets are all of a Methodist tradition.

Before becoming a clergyman, Rev. Riseley had been a successful businessman. After

a trip to Europe in 1938 he was deeply concerned at the drifts in world and community

patterns of living, so offered himself for full- time service in the church. He and Mrs.

Riseley began work in a Home Mission supply post at Cromwell. Periods at Dunedin

and Auckland followed. He was ordained in 1949. He came to Kaiapoi in 1954 and

left to lead the social services work of the Wellington Central Circuit. Mrs. Riseley


gave special assistance there in work among the Samoan people arriving in New

Zealand. They then moved to Auckland where Mr. Riseley became the Methodist

hospital chaplain. After retirement Mr. and Mrs. Riseley went to Australia on holiday,

but were persuaded to accept several supply appointments. Shortly after their return to

New Zealand in 1975, Mr. Riseley died.

Mr. Ron Hide, church secretary at the time of Rev. Riseley’s ministry remarked “that

Mr. Riseley was very strong minded, domineering and outspoken. He’d do a thing and

ask afterwards. He didn’t like authorities. He was a very good church man, giving one

building section to the church, and during renovations to the Sunday School, he paid

for a new floor and the lining of the interior walls.(Ward, Pat When Kaiapoi had its very

own Housing Minister’. The Press, 23 July 1981)

At one stage during his term, he had the backing of the Quarterly Meeting to stand for

Mayor of Kaiapoi, but permission from Conference was not forthcoming.

Utting, H. V. Rev. Harry Victor Utting, 1960-1964. Born in Auckland, he attended

Dunholme Theological College from 1924-26. Ordained in 1931.After serving in

parishes throughout New Zealand, he came to Kaiapoi.

Retired in January 1964 to become Chaplain at Princess Margaret and Coronation

Hospitals. He died in Christchurch in 1965.

Thompson, J. H. John Herbert Thompson was born in Reefton in 1908. On leaving

school he commenced his working life in gold mines, later transferring to sawmills

and Public Works on the West Coast. In 1935 while working as a bushman he met

with an accident which almost took his life. After a period of recuperation he was

appointed Secretary of the YMCA at the Buller Gorge work camps. In 1939 he

married Olive Thwaites, a Salvation Army Officer. From 1941 he was a Home

Missionary while studying for the ministry by correspondence. His ordination was in

1954. He served in several parishes before coming to Kaiapoi in 1964. Left for Otaki

in 1969. Ill-health forced an early retirement in 1970, but he kept busy with church

and community activities. He died in Christchurch in 1989.

Bert was widely respected and loved by all who knew him. An honest upright and

friendly man, whose faith and commitment brought comfort and strength to others.

Cochrane, H. A. Bert Cochrane was born in Christchurch in 1909. While attending

the Cambridge Terrace Church he first became involved in local preaching. From

1932 he served in a number of Home Mission Stations. This period saw the

development of gifts of preaching, pastoral work and Church administration, leading

to ordination in 1943. Served in a number of parishes before coming to Kaiapoi in

1969, from where he retired. With his secretarial and administrative gifts, he served on

a number of church committees, assisting regularly at Conference.

His ministry was marked by a complete devotion to Christ, and a warm friendliness

and concern for all.


Taken in front of the Parsonage summer 1975.

Back: Michael Eder, Steven Kappelle, Graham Moore,

Unknown, Annette Hewson, Yvonne Moore, Bruce Joslen, Jamie Moore

Barbara Stone, Margaret Read, Rev Bert Cochrane, Russell Read, Robyn Lee

Unknown, Catherine Kappelle, Rosemary Pinkham, Robert Kappelle

Taken Summer 1975

Grant, S. C. Stuart Grant was born in Auckland in 1942. He qualified in law and

worked in legal offices in Auckland and Hamilton before beginning theological

training at Trinity College Auckland. He was appointed as a probationer to St. John’s

Fendalton in 1973, from where he was ordained in 1974. Appointed to Kaiapoi in

February 1975, until the co-operation venture began in 1979. While in his last year at

Kaiapoi, Rev. Grant was part of the interim committee working towards the formation

of the co-operating venture. On leaving Kaiapoi he went to the Greytown-Featherston

Parish until 1983, then to Stoke (Nelson) from 1983 to 1990 where he was District

Superintendent for Nelson-Marlborough-West Coast. For 5 years from 1990 he went

to the Lutheran Church in Stuttgart-Hedelfingen, Germany as a guest pastor. On his

return to New Zealand in 1995, was appointed to Palmerston North, and at present is

in the Hawkes Bay-Manawatu Parish.

Rev. Grant regarded the time spent in law offices very valuable in his ministry,

especially in getting to know people and human nature.


ST. PAUL’S PRESBYTERIAN PARISH -

CHRONOLOGY

1856 The Rev. Charles Fraser arrived in Canterbury.

1857 The first services were held in the newly built St. Andrew’s Church in

Christchurch.

1858 An article in the Lyttelton Times of 5 June 1858 notes “the erection of a

Presbyterian Church at Kaiapoi has been for some time projected, and the

undertaking is being well supported by subscriptions. Mr. Sidey has given a

site upon which it is expected that the edifice will be commenced before

long.”

1860 A school and church building erected in Sewell Street.

1863 The Rev. William Kirton was called to the Kaiapoi-Rangiora charge on 6

February, 1863. About this time the Rev. William Hogg, an Irish

Presbyterian arrived in Canterbury, too late for the Kaiapoi appointment, but

as his own charge he was given the vast expanse of the area between the

Waimakariri and the Clarence Rivers, using Kaiapoi as his base.

1864 A manse was built in Sewell Street.

1870 Land was acquired near the manse in Sewell Street for a new church.

1871 Rev. Kirton died 27 August 1871.

1872 Rev. W. McGregor inducted 26 June 1872.

1874 The new church in Sewell Street was finally erected. (Pile found dated 20

October, 1874). The original church was sold and moved to become the

Orange Hall. (Now the site of the Auction Rooms in Charles Street).

1880 Rangiora became a separate parish.

Through much discontent and internal lobbying, the Rev. W. McGregor

resigned the charge on 22 July 1880. Presbytery was called on at least once to

intervene.

1881 Rev. Robert McGregor was ordained and inducted, 17 February 1881.

1886 Belfast was attached to the Kaiapoi Parish.

1891 Rev. McGregor resigned because of ill-health on 5 February 1891. Rev. W.

Gow was inducted on 24 July 1891, at a stipend of 240 pounds.

1893 St. Paul’s Presbyterian Mutual Improvement Society was formed. The object

of the society was to be the moral and intellectual improvement of its

members by means of literary and musical evenings.’


1898 Belfast disjoined in May 1898, causing the Rev. G’s stipend to be reduced to

200 pounds.

1900 Rev. Gow left in December 1900.

1901 Rev. W. Ritchie called to Kaiapoi in May. The Sunday School Roll numbered

70 children with 8 teachers.

Sunday School Teachers of St Pauls 1902. Minister Rev. W. Ritchie.

1903 Rev. Ritchie resigned 31 May 1903.

1904 Rev. W. McDonald was ordained at St. Paul’s 17 March 1904.

1905 The matter of a new manse before the next winter was raised as the area

seemed to be suffering from damp.

1906 Rev. McDonald resigned in February because of ill-health. Rev. J. Reid was

inducted 12 July 1906.

Problems with drainage at the church and manse were again recorded, and it

was agreed to try and obtain a more suitable site.

1912 The church was shifted to its new location in Cookson Street (now Williams

Street), and a new manse at the corner of Cookson and Sewell Streets

purchased.

Rev. Reid ended his charge in June.


St Paul’s Bible Class about 1913.

1913 Rev. Alfred Laishley inducted in February.

1915 New pipe organ purchased. The Sunday School Roll numbered 80 children

with 7 teachers.

1916 On 4 April 1917, a committee was set up to confer with an expert regarding

the installation of electric lighting. In May, the offer of ‘a friend’ to lend 40

pounds for the work was accepted.

1919 The Sewell Street property was sold.

1920 The Communicant Roll stood at 80.

1922 A Scotch Concert was held at the Grand Theatre in Kaiapoi by the

Christchurch Scottish Society, in aid of the Kaiapoi Presbyerian Church. Rev.

Laishley retired in December due to ill-health.

1923 Rev. F. Robertson was ordained in March.

Between the years 1923 to 1955, the parish was a Home Mission Station. It is

not clear just when it became reduced to this state.

1924 Rev. Robertson left in September, followed by the Rev. G. Aitken who came

to Kaiapoi in December. In this year the loan for the electric lighting

installation was at last repaid.

Special services and a Jubilee tea held to mark 60 years of St. Paul’s Parish.


1926 A hymn board was donated by the family of David Heney, an early settler

and an elder of the parish. (Now in the Wesley Centre)

1927 Rev. Aitken retired in September due to ill-health. The Communicant Roll

was 99.

The Communion Table was presented by the Girls’ Club. (This table is now

in the Wesley Centre)

1928 Rev. G. Hercus came to St. Paul’s in March. His ministry included the

difficult years of the Depression. The Sunday School Roll stood at 56, with 5

teachers.

1937 Rev. Hercus left.

1938 Rev. N. Stevenson ordained at St. Paul’s in June.

1939 In June an agreement was reached with the Methodists to hold evening

services in the Rialto Theatre in an attempt to reach the souls of men.’ The

first service was reported as successful.

Services were started at Pines Beach.

1940 The deficit in the general account of that year was nearly 100 pounds.

1941 Rev. Stevenson was appointed to the Cust-Oxford Parish, followed by the

Rev. T. Cuttle who was inducted in June.

1944 Rev. Cuttle retired in April.

1945 Rev. J. Clark arrived at St. Paul’s in February and stayed for 18 months,

resigning from the ministry in July 1946 to go farming.

1947 Rev. D. Martin came to Kaiapoi in January.

Mrs. R. Wylie presented the font in memory of the Forrest and Jeffery

Families.

1948 Rev. Martin resigned in July to join the P.S.S.A. staff in Christchurch. The

first combined services with the Methodists took place during the January

holiday period and this practice continued thereafter.

1949 R. Leishman, a Home Missionary, came to Kaiapoi in February. He studied

for the ministry by correspondence, leaving at the end of 1952.

1953 Rev. G. Densem came to Kaiapoi in February 1953. He inspired the parish to

again stand on its own feet. Finances were out of the red and had been for a

few years. The parish was therefore not requiring all of the ‘subsidy’ to

maintain a minister. It was resolved to again become a fully sustained charge.

1955 Rev. D. Blyth was inducted in June 1955. He encouraged and developed the

parish during the longest sustained ministry since its establishment in 1863.


1956 The Sunday School Roll was now 109, with 5 teachers. The Communicant

Roll about this time reached as high as 110.

1963 On the 21st April 1963, the first 100 years of St. Paul’s Parish was celebrated

at a special service and morning tea.

1967 Building commenced on the Youth Block. The foundation stone was sealed

into place by C. J. (Jack) Murray on 29 October.

1968 The Moderator of the Presbytery of Christchurch, Mr. George Wallis opened

the Centennial Youth Centre at an Opening and Dedication Service held on

Sunday 11 February, 1968.

1970 Rev. Blyth left the parish in December.

1971 An agreement was reached with the Anglican Parish whereby a combined

Sunday School and Youth Group was held using the facilities and resources

at St. Paul’s and St. Bartholomew’s.

Rev. Lindsay Day was inducted in December.

1974 The Anglican Parish withdrew from the combined Christian Education

activities.

1976 St. Paul’s Church ceased as a worship centre, with all services now held in

the Youth Block. After a life of more than a century spent on two sites, the

building was demolished.

1978 New Manse purchased at 17 SeweIl Street, opposite the Youth Block.

In April a committee was established of Presbyterian and Methodist

representatives to form a Co-operating Venture. The Presbyterian members

were Rev. Lindsay Day, Alan Baines, Ian Bagrie, A. Lloyd Cleland, Garven

Eggleston, Anne Richmond and Linda Stone.


ST. PAUL’S PARISH

Early years

The tolerance of the Anglicans towards other faiths, and the action of the Provincial

Government in granting financial aid to other faiths, enabled the pioneers to establish

their own denominational parishes. By 1854 a nucleus of the Church of Scotland was

in Canterbury and with the arrival of more Presbyterians they were encouraged to seek

a minister of their own faith.

The Rev. Charles Fraser, the man selected, arrived in April 1856 with a mission

charge from the Presbytery of Aberdeen. As a portent of happenings over a century

later, “the Rev. Charles Fraser preached to a very fine congregation in the Wesleyan

Church, Lyttelton.” The Wesleyans had generously granted to the Presbyterians the

use of their chapel until such time as their own church was ready for public worship. 1

After a campaign for funds to build a church, Fraser delivered his first sermon at St.

Andrew’s Christchurch, in 1857.

As more Presbyterians arrived and spread into the countryside, Fraser was conducting

occasional services at Kaiapoi as well as serving his own congregation and visiting the

Banks Peninsula Presbyterians. The services in Kaiapoi were usually held in the home

of Henry Jones, Charles Sidey’s carpenter, or in Sidey’s own home, for Sidey had

been among the founders 2 St. Andrew’s. The congregation was a small one, only

twenty or so Presbyterian families having settled in the district at that time.

By 1860 enough funds had been raised to erect a school and church building in Sewell

Street. The teacher was a man named Somerset, but the church services were still

taken by Fraser. In 1861 the Presbyterians in Kaiapoi and Rangiora met together and

obtained a list of subscribers willing to provide a stipend of 260 pounds for the

services of a settled minister for the combined charge. In 1863, relying on these

promises, the Rev. William Kirton whose position was not very comfortable in

Wellington, and who had already become acquainted with Miss Mary Blackett of the

Rangiora family, accepted the call.

First weddings in Marriage Register

The first wedding recorded in the Register took place on the 8th April 1863, in

Kirton’s house. It was between David Farrall, Stable Keeper and Lucy Hamlett. The

Rev. Kirton must have travelled long distances in his Parish because the second is

recorded as taking place at the Commercial Hotel, Saltwater Creek on 24.6.1863

between Alexander Petrie, Blacksmith and Mary Ann Woods. The first in the Register

1 Dickson. History of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, p. 156.

2 Charles Sidey, a merchant and one of the pioneer settlers of Kaiapoi. Built hotel and store at

ferry landing in Charles Street.


as taking place in the ‘Scottish Church, Kaiapoi’ was between William Lorimer,

Farmer and Jane Lennie.

Manse and new Church

About 1865 a manse was built in Sewell Street costing 400 pounds. Samuel Farr was

the architect - the design described as ‘early colonial - domestic gothic’. It still stands

today (56 Sewell Street).

In 1870 land was acquired in Sewell Street near the manse. In 1874 funds were

subscribed for a new, bigger church of wood and iron, even though money for paying

the stipend was always difficult to raise. The first building was sold and moved to

become the Orange Hall.

Rev. Kirton’s pecuniary support

Unfortunately, the promised stipend never reached the amount promised, and in his

eight years of ministry he received only 603 pounds in all.3 The original subscribers

were too far scattered to give much coherency or strength to the congregation. Only

about 20 of them lived in and around Kaiapoi. At the Rev. Kirton’s request,

Presbytery was asked to intervene on his behalf, but with little fruit. Doubtless there

was more than one cause for this parsimony, which necessitated that the minister of

Kaiapoi in those days should be ‘contented wi’ little an’ cantie wi’ mair.4 The Rev.

Kirton died in August, 1871.

Disharmony and financial troubles

The ministry of the second parson, the Rev. William McGregor, appears to have been

one of disharmony and internal lobbying by members of the congregation, not helped

by the difficulties in meeting the promised stipend.

In June 1879, a meeting was held for the purpose of receiving a deputation from

Presbytery, who had been sent to enquire into the circumstances of the chapter at

Kaiapoi and to ascertain if it could afford to maintain a pastor independently of the

Rangiora district. After a long and careful consideration of the whole matter, it was

resolved “that the district was not at present in a position to support a pastor

independently.”

A special meeting of Session was held on the 5th January 1880, to settle the matter ‘of

disturbance in the congregation.’ Present were the Rev. W. McGregor, Messrs

Lammie, James Kidd, and Charles Young. Charles Ross arrived late. A letter was read

by the Moderator (Rev. McGregor) from a Mr. Johnston –

3 At the height of the gold rush the little congregation of Hokitika could offer its minister the

princely sum of 450 pounds per annum and a manse! 4 Dickson, 175.


“9.10.1879. To the Elders and Committee of the Presbyterian Church, Kaiapoi.

Gentlemen, I am informed that the Rev. P. R. Monroe is not to be allowed to preach

here on the next Sabbath as myself and others were led to expect. Were I a member of

the Presbyterian Church, I should certainly lodge a strong protest against the palpable

antagonism on the part of the Rev. McGregor and the Presbytery to the wishes of a

large number of the Church and Congregation.”

It appears that the Rangiora congregation were not very happy with the actions of Rev.

McGregor and Presbytery, regarding the Rev. Monroe. The Rev McGregor had

written a letter to a Mr. McMillan about the matter and read a copy to the meeting

which stated that there was no connection between Mr. Monroe’s work and his - “he is

now immediately under the jurisdiction of Presbytery.” He went on to say that “as this

matter has called you together and the peace of the Church is undoubtedly being

undermined by this question, and as my sermon on 14.9.1879 also I believe gave

offence, let both matters be brought up at a meeting with Presbytery.”

A very acrimonious discussion between Mr. Kidd and the Rev. McGregor, regarding

both letters, followed. Mr Ross arrived at the meeting after this discussion and when

told the business he seemed surprised for he understood the matter had been settled

sometime before. Further arguments ensued between the Moderator and Mr. Young.

Mr Ross said that ‘this does not seem like making peace and he did not think this

quarrelling would do any good in the congregation.’

At the following meeting on the 15 January, only the Rev. McGregor, Charles Young

and James Kidd were present with a representative from Presbytery. Mr. Kidd would

not withdraw certain charges. The Rev McGregor appealed to Presbytery and

requested that formal accusations be laid against him. Mr. Young then handed in his

resignation. He also asked that any charge against the Rev McGregor that he had made

at the previous meeting be withdrawn from the Minute Book.

The next entry in the Minute Book was that Communion was dispensed by the

Minister assisted by Messrs. Robertson and Ritchie, Elders, to 43 members of the

Congregation, on 4.4.1880.

At a Presbytery meeting of 8 April 1880, a deputation from Rangiora sought k close

their association with Kaiapoi, and this was granted on the condition that the amount

of 20 pounds due to the Rev. McGregor be paid, which was done immediately.5

It appears that, either pages have been removed from the Minute Book, or there were

no meetings held, because the next record is for a meeting held on 26 April 1881.

Present were the new Minister the Rev. Robert McGregor, and Messrs Young and

Kidd.

5 The year the Rev. McGregor was inducted in the KaiapoilRangiora Parish, the members of the

Rangiora area felt that the time had come when they should possess a church in Rangiora, and

subsequently in September, 1872 their building was dedicated under the name of ‘John Knox

Church’


Meetings as reported in the ‘Lyttelton Times.’

A meeting of the congregation was held at the Orange Hall on the 29 June 1880, to

sort out matters regarding the debt on the church building. The Rev. McGregor had

refused to call the meeting because his stipend was considerably in arrears.

A meeting was duly advertised to take place on 13 July 1880, so that a full, fair and

correct account of how the matters really stood might be elicited. Presbytery

representatives were the Rev. Elmslie (Chair) with the Reverends Mckee and Bruce.

Twenty-five members attended holding proxies for 91 parishioners in total. As

reported in the Lyttelton Times of 14 July 1880, a very heated discussion took place.

The congregation was unhappy that the Rev. McGregor was holding two positions -

that of Master at a public school (Eyreton) while minister at St. Paul’s.

The outcome was that the Rev. McGregor decided to give up the church position as

soon as his stipend was paid, and at the request of Presbytery, agreed to forgo the

bonus and retiring allowance that under other circumstances would have been paid to

him. It was stressed that the deputation that day had not come to consider or hear any

complaints against the Rev. McGregor, but only to arrange matters as to payment of

what was due, amounting to 143 pounds. The Rev. McGregor had agreed on 100

pounds then and the 43 pounds in six months time so as not to press unduly on the

congregation. The Treasurer reported that only 2 pounds 10 shillings was in hand and

only 12 pounds 10 shillings had been paid to Rev. McGregor in the last quarter.

The Rev. Bruce said that the deputation was there to take into consideration matters in

dispute without prejudice one way or the other. He thought that those present would

see that the Rev. McGregor was entitled to the amount stated, and would be much

better to act as Presbytery advised, both from a Christian spirit and also as a business

matter. He thought they would be all glad afterwards, when they knew that they had

done what was honourable and fair to Rev. McGregor. Rev. McKee thought that

considering the time the Rev. McGregor had worked amongst them, they should let

bygones be bygones.

Mr. Stevenson proposed that the Rev. McGregor should only be paid to 1 April as that

was when he started at Eyreton. He thought that the congregation had suffered by his

doing so, and he objected to paying the Rev. McGregor after that date. The Chairman

pointed out that the Rev. McGregor had suffered as well as the congregation, and had

made very great concessions. After further discussion and amendments to motions, it

was agreed to pay the Rev. McGregor the full amount owed.

His formal resignation was on 22nd July, 1880. His successor, the Rev. Robert

McGregor was ordained and inducted in February 1881, so Kaiapoi was without a

resident minister for 7 months.


Church and Manse changes

Many of the early ministers left the parish because of the ill-health of themselves or

family members. The area in Sewell Street of the first manse and church had many

problems of dampness, so this may have contributed to the health of the occupants. In

1905 the matter of a new manse before the next winter was raised as the area seemed

to be suffering from damp. Problems with drainage at the church and manse were

again recorded in 1906 and it was agreed to try and obtain a more suitable site. The

church was inspected and declared fit to move. Six years later in 1912 the church was

shifted by traction engine to its new location in Cookson Street (now 202 Williams

Street), and a new manse at the corner of Sewell and Cookson Streets purchased from

a Mr. Anderson. (This house is still standing). Sunday School and Church meetings

were held in the back portion of the church.

Shifting St Pauls from Sewell St to Cookson St in 1912.


A struggling parish

So, for more than one hundred years the parish continued, but for most of the time

struggled for finance, and with the minimum of office bearers. At times there were

very few elders, with only one or two present at Kirk Session. In 1886 Belfast was

attached to Kaiapoi. By 1891 when the Rev. W. Gow was inducted his stipend was set

at 240 pounds.

In 1898 Belfast was disjoined, thus reducing the salary by 40 pounds. The

Communicant Roll was 90, total revenue 308 pounds, and there were 4 Elders.

St Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Sewell Street.

The Rev. Laishley

The Visitation Committee in 1914 of the Rev Rodgers of Papanui and the

Rev. Millar of Rangiora, gave a favourable report. Both men expressed their

pleasure at the signs of progress in the church work and congratulated the

Rev. Laishley on the success of his efforts.

At the last meeting of Session for 1914, attended by the Rev. Laishley and Messrs

Richardson and Douds it was reported that “evident signs of blessing have attended

the ministry of Rev. Laishley, despite his long illness from which he has now

recovered. All the organisations of the church have kept strong and vigorous, and so

many young people take a warm interest in the needs of the congregation and in the

mission schemes of the church.”

At the same meeting it was agreed that a list of names of those young men who had

joined the Expeditionary Forces be kept by Session. Correspondence had been

received regarding the Temperance Party’s request to seek temperance pledges for


total abstinence during the length of the war. It was decided that a book and cards be

obtained for the purpose.

A generous donation had been received of five dozen cups and two trays for use at

Communion Services.

In 1915 the debit balance was 48 pounds. Three years later it was 30 pounds. The

Church Committee requested that a special effort be made at the planned Sale of

Work. Also that attempts be made to increase church membership. By September of

1918 the accounts showed a credit of 10 pounds. The organist was paid 15 pounds per

annum. The ladies of the Church appealed to the congregation to support the Box

Committee who had in view “the extinction of the debt on the church properties.”

During the 1920s, an ‘Assessor’ from the Rangiora or Papanui parishes was pointed

by Presbytery to assist the minister because St. Paul’s did not have enough Elders.

ibe report of the Visitation Committee in May 1922 was quite censorious. Points made

were:

An earnest effort be made to obtain Elders - the parish cannot be carried on

successfully without organisation

• The congregation is numerically small and weak - 30 or so regulars is not enough

• Sink all differences and give to the Minister unanimous support

• Consider extending boundaries to include Ohoka and Woodend if Rangiora agrees.

Rev. Laishley resigned because of ill-health at the end of 1922.

Young Minister

In 1923 the Rev. Fred Robertson was ordained at St. Paul’s. At his welcome, the

Mayor of Kaiapoi Mr. J. H. Blackwell said that “the Rev. Robertson had the

opportunity to put Kaiapoi on the map. The town for once was served by clergy who

were all young. The Anglicans had the Rev. Knight who gave lectures, the Rev. Scott,

the Methodist minister, was involved with the Beautifying Society, and Rev.

Robertson had already been asked to join the football club. Mr. Blackwell

acknowledged that Kaiapoi was a difficult charge and wished Mr Robertson well.6

Jubilee Service

In July 1924 special services and a Jubilee Tea was belatedly held to celebrate

60 years of the Parish. The great success of the celebration was largely due

to the Rev. Robertson’s enthusiasm and mastery of details.

Unfortunately Rev. Robertson only stayed for one year.

6 Kaiapoi Record 21.3.1923


Home Mission Years

Between 1923 and 1955 the parish was reduced to a Home Mission Station with the

Minister’s stipend augmented. The ministers often had the additional task of Sunday

School Superintendent. During these years many of the ministers appointed only

stayed for a year or two. The parish often had to struggle on without a resident

minister for between six months and a year between those appointments.

Cantata with St Paul’s Sunday School children.

The Depression years

The Rev. Hercus was the minister from 1928 to 1937 - the difficult depression years.

In 1933 Mrs. R. Wylie the Treasurer reported a fall in revenue. There had been a big

drop in the proceeds from the Sale of Work and the Flower Show. The year had begun

with an overdraft of 48 pounds, and this amount had increased to 74 pounds by year’s

end. The Rev. Hercus was asked to volunteer a drop in his stipend of 39 pounds. He

was also asked to arouse greater interest in the parish. He left in 1937.

1938-1941

By 1938 things had not improved. The Home Mission Committee paid a subsidy of 20

pounds towards the stipend. Numbers had decreased at worship. There was still a


mortgage on the Manse. In 1941 parishioners were upset when the Home Mission

Committee moved the Rev. N. Stevenson to the Cust-Oxford Parish after 3 years in

Kaiapoi.

1941 -1953

The Rev. T. Cuttle was the minister for 3 years during the Second World War, retiring

from the Ministry in April 1944. From then until the Rev. Densem was appointed in

1953, St. Paul’s struggled on with a succession of vacancies and ministers. After Rev.

Cuttle retired there was a vacancy for almost a year until the Rev. Clark arrived. He

only stayed for eighteen months before leaving the ministry. Next was David Martin

for a year and a half before he resigned in July 1948, to join the P.S.S.A in

Christchurch. Robert Leishman was a Home Missionary studying for the Ministry by

correspondence. When he qualified in 1952 he was called to another parish.

Post War Years

The years after the Second World War showed an improvement in finances and

numbers of parishioners, as was the case in most parishes.

In the Annual Report of 1946, Mr. Eric Gray the Treasurer reported that the

financial position could be considered very healthy indeed, thanks to the

excellent response of members to the appeal for a special effort to meet

certain urgent requirements. The general account was still in debit but showing

a steady improvement. In 1940 the debit was about 100 pounds, a large

amount for those days, but by 1946 this was down to 29 pounds. (The stipend for 1946

was at 260 pounds per annum.) However the building fund account still had a credit of

52 pounds, after much needed maintenance had been carried out.

George Densem

During George Densem’s term from 1953 the parish was inspired to again stand on its

own feet. At the beginning of 1955 he wrote a letter to all parishioners pointing out

that “the twin emblems of our faith, the Church and its Manse were erected by the

love and labours of a previous generation of Christian people, so that Christian faith

and action would direct and ennoble the life of this community. To a large extent we

have not succeeded in accepting their God-given responsibility either for ourselves or

for our children. The Buildings remain much as they were - the town is growing

steadily, but we are still a ‘Home Mission’ charge, not yet willing or able to assume

the responsibility of calling and supporting our own Minister. Christian faith and hope

demand that we enlarge our influence and help others.”

The finances were showing a credit balance, and the Sunday School was flourishing

under the leadership of David Beggs. The Rev. Densem’s plea to the congregation to

stand on its own feet must have succeeded, because from 1955 the parish again

became a fully sanctioned charge.


The period of growth

The Rev. D. A. Blyth’s term between 1955 and 1971 was the longest sustained

ministry the parish had. It coincided with Kaiapoi’s population increasing because of

improved services, the opening of the motorway, and new housing subdivisions.

Parishioners all attest to the stimulus and enthusiasm generated by the activities of that

period. By 1956 the Sunday School Roll stood at 109, with 5 teachers. The

Communicant Roll reached as high as 110.

About this time the church was in much need of painting, repair and renovation. This

work was carried out on Saturdays by a large team of some 50 parishioners, carefully

organised by the Board of Managers, with the Rev. Blyth making direct personal

contact with the men of the parish.

He must have been a very persuasive person as the Session reached a maximum of 16

members, and the Board of Managers had a very able and enthusiastic membership.

Four or five study groups met for rousing Christian discussion. A company of the

Girls’ Brigade was formed.

100 years of St. Paul’s

On the 21st April 1963 the first 100 years of St. Paul’s Parish was celebrated at a

service conducted by the Rev. D. G. Shaw, Moderator of the Christchurch Presbytery.

The Rev. R. M. Rogers of St. Andrew’s Christchurch, St. Paul’s mother church,

preached the sermon.

Over 300 past and present parishioners and clergy attended. Mrs. A. McNab, one of

the oldest parishioners present, cut the cake at the morning tea after the service.

New Youth Block.

As early as 1923 the general feeling was that a new church building would be required

before long. By 1956 the steadily increasing number of Sunday School children and

Bible Class members made it necessary to find much needed accommodation. Some

of the youth groups were meeting in other buildings around Kaiapoi. The concept of a

new Youth Block came into future planning for the parish to undertake as a

Centennial Project. In December 1956 the decision was made to buy Mr. Cotty’s

vacant house and section in Sewell Street (formerly the residence of Richard Moore,

Mayor of Kaiapoi 1884-87, and M. P. for the Kaiapoi Electorate.) There were some

funds in a Building Account. A generous parishioner lent 1000 pounds interest free for

a year to enable the property to be purchased. It was in an ideal position - off the main

road, and close to the existing Church and Manse.

An endeavour was made to pay the 1000 pound loan off quickly. The Rev. Blyth

challenged the members of St. Paul’s to pay off the debt by offering 5 pounds if 199

others did the same. By April 1959 the financial situation was reported in the Parish

Magazine. Not enough to repay the loan had been contributed by direct donation. A


500 pound loan was secured from the Presbyterian Church Centenary Fund (the

maximum permitted for any one project).

The house was used as a temporary Sunday School and Bible Class Centre, even

though it was an ancient, unpainted, unsightly building. The decision was made in

1958 to change the time of Morning Services from 11 a. m. to 10 a.m. to enable

families to share in worship and Sunday School. Because Sunday School had been

held in the hall at the rear of the Church, it met at 10 p.m., but the move to the house

enabled parents and children to meet at the same time. The Session hoped that the

change would help people make Sunday - the Lord’s Day - more of a family day.

The building committee was H. James McIntosh, Convenor, Gilbert Hirst, Secretary,

David Beggs, Linda Stone, Harry Benson, Ian Scott, Cohn Murray, Bill Inglis and

Rev. Blyth. George Lucking a Christchurch architect prepared the plans with David

Beggs contributing to the layout with his wise and experienced understanding of the

teaching requirements of such a building. The completed plans were designed for

three stages of development, the first a Youth Block, the second a Church, and the

third a Hall. The second two did not eventuate.

By 1963 approval was given for the tremendous task to raise 12,000 pounds, the

estimated cost of the Youth Block. The parishioners asked “how are we going to do

this”. The answer was “by the same method used by our people for 100 years - by

sacrificial giving.” The Sunday School children started with a weekly penny trail.

Thanksgiving Services and Stewardship campaigns were held when cash was received

or pledged. The major project was the growing of potatoes and other crops. Land was

leased and parishioners of all ages became involved with the planting and harvesting.

Farming parishioners provided their expertise and machinery.

By 1967 enough had been raised to call tenders. A major set back occurred when the

expected Government grant for church halls was withdrawn. A bank loan was

obtained to meet the shortfall, but it meant potato and pumpkin crops were needed

over several more years to clear the debt. The successful tenderer was W. N.

Betteridge & Son.

The foundation stone was sealed into place on 29 October 1967, by C. J. (Jack)

Murray, a plasterer and long time parishioner and Board of Managers member.


Laying Foundation Stone of Youth Centre in 1967.

The Opening and Dedication was held on Sunday 11 February, 1968, by the

Moderator of the Presbytery of Christchurch, Mr. George Wallis. After the opening

the Maori members of the congregation were hosts at a hangi, the food being served

from tables set up in the grounds surrounding the hall.

The New Youth Centre in Sewell Street.

From that time the building was used by the Sunday School and Youth Groups and for

Church socials, fairs and for a time the Annual Flower Show. Outreach programmes

for the wider community were also started.


Manse renovations

When the Rev. Blyth resigned the charge at the end of 1970, Presbytery required the

Manse to be repaired and renovated before a call could be made for a new Minister. A

parishioner kindly loaned some of the funds for this to be done.

Rev. Lindsay Day

The parish was without a resident minister for nearly a year before the Rev. Day

accepted a call to St. Paul’s and began at the end of 1971. His induction service was

attended by representatives from Presbytery and local churches. At the get-together

held after the service, the opportunity was taken to thank the Rev. Ron Simpson for

his work as Interim Moderator, and Mr. Charles Manning for his sterling efforts as the

principal lay preacher during the vacancy.

A step forward in faith and unity

The early 1970s was the time that the Plan for Union of 5 denominations in

New Zealand was being discussed. Kaiapoi had a Joint Committee of the

Negotiating Churches. Combined services were held at St. Paul’s, St.

Bartholomew’s and the Methodist Church.

St. Paul’s and St. Bartholomew’s operated a combined Sunday School and Bible Class

for several years, using the resources and people of both parishes.

At the dedication service for the Leaders, Mr. Gavin Gray on behalf of St. Paul’s

Session, emphasised the unity of the move and expressed the cherished hopes of

many, that out of the growth in understanding experienced by the children, all may be

led to total unity in the days to come.

A resolution was passed at Session in May 1973 “that immediate steps be taken

towards implementing union with the Methodist and Anglican Churches in Kaiapoi,

either collectively or singly.” The Plans for Union did not go ahead.

Demolition of St. Paul’s Church

In 1976 St. Paul’s Church ceased being used with all services now held in the Youth

Centre. After a life of more than a century spent on two sites, the building was

demolished. Members of the Works Committee shouldered the heavy load of

responsibility, especially in the dismantling and final disposal of the old church

building and its contents, all done by voluntary labour. The bell tower was presented

to St. Augustine’s Church, Clarkville and other items were auctioned.

A house at 17 Sewell Street opposite the Youth Block was purchased for a manse, the

funds coming from the sale of the old manse and the church section. They were sold to

Alexander’s Cordials, (the business on the opposite side of Williams Street), but are

now private residences.


Last years of St. Paul’s Parish

Unfortunately over the last ten years of St. Paul’s history, with the changing social

conditions, the energy of the previous decade abated. At the time of forming the Co-

operating Parish the Session was down to 10 members, with between 20-30 on the

Sunday School Roll.

In 1977, a $3000 grant from Assembly was required to augment the stipend. The

Finance Committee repeatedly brought to the notice of the parish its very real concern

regarding the financial situation brought about by increasing expenses caused by

inflation. Special Appeals were launched, a ‘Talents Programme’ being one.

Session agreed that Presbytery be asked to consider the suggestion that the parish

might be linked with another, with the view of sharing a Minister. Presbytery

indicated its interest in such a development. Rev. N. Sheat of the Presbytery Ministry

Committee attended a meeting of Session to offer some ideas towards solving the

financial problems. The suggestion to work in with a city parish did not eventuate.

Rev. Sheat said that the shuffling of boundaries of parishes, or continued handouts,

did little to solve the real problems facing the Church nationwide.

However, also in 1977, an agreement between Session and the Methodist Quarterly

Meeting was arrived at. A group of representatives from each parish began to meet to

discuss the possibility of forming a co-operative venture.

Loyalty of Parishioners.

Even though St. Paul’s struggled throughout most of its existence, visitation reports

over the years stated that in spite of the peculiar difficulties faced, the work of the

congregation was maintained by eager and loyal workers. Many of these faithful

people contributed for years to the varied tasks required in a parish.

St. Pauls Sunday School

Back: Gretchen Sheehan, Adair Botting

2nd: Pam Merrin, unknown, Catherine Yellowlees, Kaye Zwart

Front: Stephanie Sheehan, Janet Ching, Margurite Ching, Jan McPhail, Heather Ruddenklau


St Paul’s Stewardship dinner.

Presbyterian Communion Card


MINISTERS OF ST. PAUL’S

Fraser, C. Rev. Charles Fraser of the Free Church of Scotland, arrived in

Christchurch in April 1856, with a mission charge from the Presbytery of Aberdeen.

In February 1857 he delivered his first sermon in St. Andrew’s Christchurch. By the

next year, Fraser was conducting occasional services in Kaiapoi. He was also

instrumental in the formation of the parishes at Sydenham, North Belt and Lyttelton.

Peter Matheson in ‘Presbyterians in Aotearoa 1840-1 990’ noted that few of the early

ministers in New Zealand seemed to have been outstanding preachers - Charles Fraser

being a notable exception.

Kirton, W. Scottish born William Kirton arrived in Kaiapoi from Wellington in 1863.

He had been called to the Kaiapoi/Rangiora charge on 6 February. His second wife

was Mary Blackett of the well-known Rangiora family.

In 1864 he became the first Moderator of the Presbytery of North Canterbury. His

early years in the parish were difficult. He found few supporters, and although they

provided him with a residence, his promised salary of 260 pounds barely reached 75

pounds a year. The descent from Wellington to Kaiapoi had been a steep one, but

Kirton persevered until his death in August 1871.

Hogg, W. William Hogg was born in Ireland in 1863. Arrived in Kaiapoi too late for

the Kaiapoi appointment so was given as his own charge the lonely area of tussock

between the Waimakariri and the Clarence Rivers. He resigned in 1872 to take up an

equally difficult task at Ross, South Westland. Left there for Sydney in 1876. He

returned to New Zealand and was at Goldsborough Westland in 1899.

McGregor, W. Rev. W. McGregor, began in Kaiapoi on the 26th June 1872. During

his term, Rangiora became a separate parish. After much controversy and disputes

with and between parishioners, he resigned his charge on 22 July 1880.

McGregor, R. Robert McGregor was called on 17 February 1881, and resigned

because of ill-health on 5 February 1891. Was able to return to the ministry at Hawera

on 9 September 1891, resigning that charge in 1894. He died in 1895.

Gow, W. Rev. William Gow was born in 1852 at Carmyllie Scotland. Came with his

parents (Rev. John Gow) to New Zealand in 1865. After 11 years in business he

studied for the ministry and was ordained at Reefton in 1884. He came to St. Paul’s 2

July 1891 and left 2 December 1900 to a call at St. Peter’s Christchurch. He died 21

October 1937 at Papatoetoe. “Outstanding feature of his life was his transparent

goodness - he was a real saint.”

Ritchie, W. William Ritchie was born in 1856 in Scotland and came to New Zealand

in 1898. Inducted at the Wairarapa South Parish 1899. Called to Kaiapoi 9 May 1901,

and resigned 31 May 1903. Next parish was at Edendale in Southland in 1904. He

retired from the ministry in 1908.


After retirement he was engaged for some years lecturing and organising for the New

Zealand Alliance (for abolition of liquor trade). In 1910 went to Palmerston North

where he was engaged in business. He died suddenly 8 September 1945 at Palmerston

North.

McDonald, W. Rev. William McDonald was born in Scotland in 1868. Went first to

Australia before coming to New Zealand. Ordained at Kaiapoi 17 March 1904, and

resigned 13 February 1906 due to ill-health. After a visit to Scotland, his health

restored, he went to Maori Hill Parish in Dunedin. After serving in other parishes he

again resigned because of ill-health in 1932. He returned to Inverness Scotland where

he died 7 March 1933.

Reid, J. John Swanson Reid, born 1868, studied at the Theological Hall Dunedin

before ordination at Middlemarch in 1893. Came to Kaiapoi from the Waitahuna

Parish 12 July 1906, leaving for Dunsandel 7 June 1912. He retired in 1922 and died

in 1942.

Stewart, R. Robert Stewart came to New Zealand from the Shetland Islands at the age

of 12, working in the gold-mining and sawmilling industries on the West Coast before

studying for the ministry. He served in several parishes for 20 years, chiefly

Greymouth. He died suddenly in September 1912 when under call to Kaiapoi.

Laishley, A. Rev. Alfred Laishley was born in 1858. From the Congregational church

in England. Received by Assembly in 1902 before induction at Bluff in 1903. Called

to Kaiapoi in 1913 and retired 31 December 1922 because ill-health. There were

happy memories of his term, particularly because of the involvement of his daughters

in parish affairs, particularly with the children. While at the Bluff Parish they, together

with their mother Sarah, established the ‘Busy Bee’ Movement. He died at Dunsandel

in 1926.

Robertson, F. Frederick Robertson was born in 1894 in Australia and came

Christchurch as a boy. After service in WWI, he attended the Theological Hall 1920-

22. He was ordained at Kaiapoi 20 March 1923. Called to the LincoIn Parish in 1924.

In 1946 he went to Scotland and served in several parishes until retirement in 1960,

returning to Christchurch where he died 19 August 1969.

Aitken, G. K. Rev. George Keillor Aitken was born in Montrose Scotland in 1858. He

was an engineer, going first to Australia before coming to New Zealand in 1906.

Served first as a Home Missionary before ordination at Foxton in 1910. Was at the

Featherston Parish before coming to Kaiapoi 18 December 1924. Retired due to ill-

health 30 September 1927. He died 24 October 1941. “He proved himself an ardent

pastor and preacher, and an active worker in the interests of Protestantism.”

Hercus, G. W. T. George Watson Thomson Hercus, born in 1879, began working life

as a printer in Dunedin before becoming a Home Missionary in 1905. Attended

Theological Hall 1908-10. Ordained at Tapanui in 1911, then moved to Methven


Parish. Called to Kaiapoi 29 March 1928. Left for Fordell Parish in Wanganui in 1937

and retired 1952. He died in 1964.

His brother, D. M. Hercus was also an ordained minister, and two sisters A. O. and M.

H. Hercus were Deaconesses.

Stevenson, N. J. Norris Johnston Stevenson was born in 1907 at Gore. Because of ill-

health in childhood he did not attend high school, but after seven years farm work

decided to enter the ministry and attended Otago University, graduating in 1934.

Ordained at Kaiapoi 23 June 1938. Moved by the Home Mission Committee to Cust-

Oxford Parish in 1941. Died in 1947 while still in office at Weston Parish, North

Otago.

Cuttle, T. N. Thomas Nevin Cuttle, was born in Dunedin in 1878. Worked in

menswear shops in Dunedin and Wanganui before ordination at Milburn Parish,

Clutha Presbytery in 1911. Came to Kaiapoi 10 June 1941, and retired 30 April 1944.

He died in 1968.

Clark, J. S. The Rev. Clark came to Kaiapoi in February 1945 for short stay,

resigning from the ministry in July 1946 to go farming. In his letter contained in the

Annual Report of June, 1946 his message to the congregation “was to get together as

often as possible in the social side of life, cultivate that fellowship which is essential

in keeping the people of the Church together.”

Martin, D. David Martin was born in 1906. Began farming before joining the Home

Missionary staff in 1929. Came from the Takaka Parish to Kaiapoi in January 1947,

resigning July 1948 to join the Presbyterian Social Services Association staff in

Christchurch. In 1952 became Superintendent of the Auckland PSSA, and later joined

the staff of the Waikeria Training Centre.

He died suddenly in 1968 in Kihikihi.

Leishman, R. Robert Leishman, was born in 1906. He was a Home Missionary in

several parishes before coming to Kaiapoi 3 February 1949. He studied for the

ministry by correspondence and was ordained at the Pukurau Parish in 1953. He died

in 1982.

Densem, G. George Densem was born in Queenstown. He began working life as

carpenter. In 1915 he became a Home Missionary for the Methodist Church, and

during WW I worked with the YMCA. In 1944, he was accepted by the Presbyterian

Church, again as a Home Missionary, serving at Hinds and thence to Kaiapoi in

February 1953. The Rev. Densem inspired the parish to again stand on its own feet.

He died in 1976 in Christchurch.

Blyth, D. A. David Alexander (Alex) Blyth, was inducted on 14th July 1955, coming

from the Maheno-Incholme Parish. He encouraged and developed the parish during

the longest sustained ministry St. Paul’s had since its beginning in 1863. It was during

his leadership that the parish really flourished.


The St. Paul’s Youth Block was built, the Session and Board of Managers had an able

membership, the Sunday School Roll increased, and Study Groups met.

He left in December 1970 for the Rakaia Parish. Rev. Blyth died in 2001.

Day, L. S. Lindsay Day, was born in Balclutha in 1934. He worked in freezing works

and was a teacher before training for the ministry at Knox College. His parish ministry

was at Duntroon, North Otago from 1966 to 1971, followed by the call to Kaiapoi in

December 1971. When St. Paul’s Parish became a co-operating venture he went to the

Reefton Union Parish, combining that with being area consultant covering the West

Coast, Nelson, and Marlborough through the Parish Development and Mission

Department.

His next Parish was at Newlands Union in Wellington from 1982 to 1988, followed by

a move back to the South Island at St. Martin’s Christchurch.


CHOIRS

Choirs have played a major part in the life of the churches. It is difficult to give a

completely accurate record of the services rendered by these choirs as some records

have not been kept and not all details have been recorded.

Methodist

The first Choirmaster at the Methodist Church is thought to have been Isaac Wilson,

who gave over 20 years service in the very early days. About 1874 a Mr. Neville

tendered his resignation as Choirmaster, as did Mr. Edwin Lock in 1875. It was about

this time that it was reported that the discipline of the choir was questioned, and the

minister was asked to draw up a code of rules for their guidance.

In their reports to choir meetings several of the Choirmasters stressed “that if a Choir

was to achieve success, each member should endeavour to attend practices and

services as regularly as possible, and put zeal and enthusiasm into the work”.

Mr. G. H. Blackwell took over in 1875 and resigned in 1884 with Mr. R. Blakeley

taking over the task of Choirmaster as well as organist for about a year. Mr. Blackwell

took over again and remained until 1898, when Mr. J. H. Blackwell was appointed to

replace his father. The resignation of a Mr. Johnson was received in 1901. Mr. F.

Burrows, father of Brigadier Burrows, was Choir Leader in the early 1900s.

Kaiapoi Methodist Church Choir 1913-14

H. Blackwell, C. Bennett, W. Lintoff, R. Mitchell, R. Rule, A. McPherson, S. Collins, F. McArthur,

W. Thorne, J. Varcoe

Gladys Blazey, E. Blakeley, K. Parnham, E Doubleday, G. Ellen, J. Hoskin, E. Thigance, M. Varcoe,

D. Stanton, E. Thorne, Grace Blazey

M. Ellen, N. Hayman, R. Richards, B. McFall, J. Tourell, S. Evans, A. Ellen, L. Rule, E. Blakeley, M.

Stanton

Mrs Mitchell, M. Hayman, J.H. Blackwell, A. Blakeley, G.H. Blackwell, Rev Mitchell, Mrs Parnham,

Mrs Ashley Bob Hayman, Len Parnham, Allan Eagle


About 1907 there appeared to have been a difficulty with the minister and it was

reported that on one occasion the Choir walked out over the singing of vespers. In the

early 1900s Mr. A. Blakeley became Choirmaster and leader of an orchestra. Those

were the days when there were 39 active members, with an average attendance of 25

members twice on Sundays, and at practice.

At the Quarterly Meeting of April 1924, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the

soloists, choir, organist and Choirmaster J. H. Blackwell, for the splendid rendering of

the Crucifixion at the Sunday evening service.

Others to render excellent service in leading the Choir were Mr. E. H. Martin, Mr. A.

Hirst and in the 1950s Mr. Arthur Withers. Over the years the Methodist Choir and the

Orchestra were renowned for their musical contribution to the community of Kaiapoi.

Kaiapoi Methodist Orchestra about 1929-1930

W. Lintott Sen’r, W. Lintott Jn’r, C. Brocklebank, J. Johnson, E. Forrest, J. Whyte, A. Bollington

J. Howarth, R. Blackburn, F. Rinaldi, A. Blakeley, M. Allison, A. Hutson, C. Green

K. Vickery, G. Martin

St. Paul’s

Choirs at St. Paul’s over the years contributed to the church services, and to the

Kaiapoi Community. In reports in the Kaiapoi Record in 1909 and 1911, St. Paul’s

Choir gave concerts in aid of the Fire Brigade. This choir also put its efforts into

raising the funds for the Bevington Organ. In 1915 the organ had been secured “by the

splendid efforts of George Millar, conductor, and members of the choir. Their

generous and persevering efforts, have in so short a time enabled them to hand over


the instrument, free of debt”. Mr. Millar was presented with an inscribed baton. In

appreciation, the ladies of the church gave a social with the choir members as guests.7

At the Session meeting of 13.2.1918 Mr Millar tendered his resignation as

Choirmaster and was thanked for the excellent service he had rendered. However at

the April meeting it was reported that he was willing to continue.

Some of the other Choirmaster over the years were: Mr. Robilliard c1910, Mr. R.

Logan ci 921 and Mr. Gilbert Hirst. When Gilbert was Choirmaster at St. Paul’s, his

brother Arthur filled the same position at the Methodist Church. In the latter years of

St. Paul’s, Catherine Powell led the choir. They visited Woodchester Home for the

Aged in Christchurch on several occasions to entertain the residents.

Co-operating Parish

Shortly after the formation of the co-operating parish a choir was formed and has

continued leading the singing at worship and assisting with productions by the

children. Choir leaders have been Malcolm Weir, Joan Fenwick, Garven Eggleston

and Barry Harkness. Members over the 25 years have been: Enid Baker, Jean

Blackwell, Maude Candy, Beryl Duncan, Marion Eggleston, Mary Forrest, Rita

Hewson, Rosaline Hosking, Jennifer Kirk, Betty McGregor, John McKenzie, Ada

Pearce, Val Oram, Sheila Pinkham, Ursula Saunders, Cynthia Steere, Betty Tindall

and Brian Williams.

7 Kirk Session minutes 1915.


CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Church Schools

D. N. Hawkins noted that of the 274 people north of the Waimakariri at the 1884

census, only 99 could both read and write. The Anglicans began holding classes in

1857, but a piece of provincial legislation ended the Church of England’s monopoly

over education by granting money from the land fund to the other churches, for

educational purposes. In 1860 therefore, both the Presbyterian and Wesleyan

Churches were able to start schools in Kaiapoi. One of the aims of these schools, was

that pupils would learn to read the Bible, and so take an active part in their

congregations.

The Kaiapoi Presbyterian Boys’ School was held in the church with a Mr. Somerset as

teacher. The Wesleyan School was in a building attached to the first Wesleyan Church

in Fuller Street. It served both sexes, with the opening roll being 20 and by 1863, 41

scholars were enrolled. The teacher was Mr. Thomas Veysey. The fee for these

schools was one shilling a week. They ceased operating when the Government

sponsored schools began.

A divided town

An unusual aspect of religious affiliation in Kaiapoi was the division in the town

caused by the river. People living on each side would say, “our side” and “the other

side”. Before the days of widespread car ownership Methodist and Presbyterian

families would often send their children to the nearest Church/Sunday School rather

than have them cross ‘the big bridge.’

Methodist

Mr. Thomas Wilson started the Methodist Sunday School about 1868. By 1882, the

year the Sunday School building was erected, the roll stood at 225 scholars with 22

teachers, with both morning and afternoon classes. During those early years Mr. G. H.

Blackwell had a prominent roll in the school, first as a teacher, then for some years its

Superintendent, and on retiring from that office took charge of the Young Women’s

Bible Class.

One of the most conspicuous and consistent activities in connection with Kaiapoi

Methodism was the inauguration in January 1914 of a “Morning Star Brigade”. The

brigade began with 70 members with a Mr. Blazey as Captain and Mr. Fred Heald as

Lieutenant. The aim of this group was to encourage children in their attendance at

worship, and continued until 1955.

The First World War had its effect upon the work of the Sunday School as the

teaching staff had been depleted to such an extent that an appeal was made for “men

and women who love the Saviour to volunteer as teachers”. In 1919 the roll numbered


165 scholars. In March 1920, the death was recorded of Mr. G. A. Ellen, who served

many years as Superintendent.

Ruth Thorn formed and trained a Junior Choir about 1950-53 They sang an introit and

one piece at Sunday morning services.

The highlight of the year for the children was the Anniversary Concert. The

following is an extract from an article in the North Canterbury Gazette of 28 October,

1958: “The annual Kaiapoi Methodist Sunday School concert took place last Monday

in the Sunday School Hall, which as usual was filled to capacity. Varied fare was

provided - from the uninhibited performances of the tiny tots, up to a well- costumed

and acted biblical play by the Junior Girls’ Bible Class, with one ‘ring-in’ from the

Boys’ Bible Class to act the part of a soldier.

There were sketches, concerted items, dainty and tuneful, and others that relied upon

burlesque to make their appeal. The latter were of course, boys’ items, one of which

imitated a famous Girls’ choir. The junior choir, under the direction of Mrs. B.

Riseley, presented their items with customary efficiency and a Boys’ Brigade group

gave a creditable display of gymnastics. Individual items, so necessary when

continuous stage changes are being made, were given by the following: Lesley

Harper, songs; Susanne Wyatt, sailor’s hornpipe; Catherine Pottinger, recitation;

Suzanne Ashley, recitation; Barry Forrest, piano solo; and Raymond Harper, bagpipe

solo. Faye Hammer led a community sing of popular songs. At the conclusion, the

Chairman the Rev. B. H. Riseley thanked all who had assisted”.

The annual picnic was another eagerly looked forward to treat. A report in the N.C.

Gazette of the 1958 picnic records that the crowds set off by buses for Diamond

Harbour in pleasant weather, but upon reaching the Port Hills met a squally storm,

reaching its destination amid driving rain. A second bus broke down at Governor’s

Bay, and the first bus was required to return to pick them up. The picnickers were hard

put to find shelter, but with a smoky fire and hot cups of tea everyone was made fairly

comfortable. The spirit of “the show must go on” proved to be the correct one, for the

weather changed to warm and sunny so that the programme of races, games and

swimming was carried out in very pleasant conditions.

Some of the people who served as Superintendents over the years were: G. H.

Blackwell, E. Butcher, J. H. Blackwell, G. A. Ellen, Rosaline Hosking, Arthur

Kennett, W. Lintott (Snr), J. Panckhurst, Fred Pinkham, George Thorn and T. B.

Ward.

Bible Class

Young Men’s and Women’s Bible Classes were also active. Some of the leaders were

George Blackwell, Miss C. Blackwell, Mrs. Burnet, Mr. Richard Evans, Miss S. E.

Evans, Mrs. B. H. Riseley, Robin Riseley, Mr. N Gust, and Mr. W. Gust.

Elaine Bolitho (nee Wilson), recalls that her time as a member of the Bible Class in

the 1950s, were great days - “the camaraderie, the sense of being part of a group that


was part of something bigger - geographically and spiritually. There was a good

balance of spiritual, physical, social and intellectual activities. The Rev. Riseley

started a youth club which met on Friday nights, had games like basketball, and things

for running off energy.

Saturday nights were often social nights, shared with other churches in the area -

Ohoka, Clarkville, Rangiora, St. Paul’s and St. Bartholomew’s. By then they were

allowed to have dances. Earlier Methodist Trustees would allow only one or two

dances within a social programme, not a whole evening of dances. The Riseley family

were unusual for that time in owning three cars, but when it came to moving the Bible

Class out to other events it was very handy that they could pack the young people all

in.”

Elaine also attended Easter Camps at the Leigh Methodist Camp, Loburn. The boys

went to a camp at Amberley. “Great studies, great music, a wonderful lively Christian

atmosphere and great fun. 8

Presbyterian

At the Annual Meeting of 1892 Mr. T. Millar, as Superintendent, reported that there

were 80 scholars attending the Sabbath School, with an average attendance of 70, with

12 teachers.

The school for St. Paul’s children was held in a room at the rear of the church. In 1915

Rev. Laishley was the Superintendent with 80 children on the roll and 7 teachers. He

was ably assisted by his wife and two daughters. They were the founders of the ‘Busy

Bee’ movement when at their previous parish at Bluff.9 Muriel Laishley was

congratulated for winning the Presbytery prize for an essay.

In the 1939 annual report Miss Jessie Stark gave a very lengthy and comprehensive

report on the very important branch of the church, the difficulties under which they

worked, and an appeal for more teachers. This was listened to with sincerity by the

members of the congregation, and it was hoped to stimulate more interest in that

branch of the church organisation. Also in 1939 Miss Nan Stark was a Bible Class

leader with Miss Henderson undertaking the recreational side of the class. Mr. A.

Cattermole, the leader of the Boy’s Bible Class reported that attendance was steadily

growing.

In 1941 Jessie Stark resigned because of work commitments, and Mrs. Cuttle, wife of

the minister, took over. By 1944 Mr. Peter McNab was the Superintendent. Sunday

School teachers mentioned in the 1946 Annual Report were Mrs. Molly Chapman,

Misses Nan Stark, E. Gray, B. Hirst, L. Inglis, and J. Davies. 1949 saw Mr. Hugh

Elder as the Superintendent, and the reinstitution of the Bible Class. About this time

8 . Reminiscences of the Kaiapoi Methodist Parish by Elaine E. Bolitho nee Wilson.

9 The motto of ‘Busy bees’ was “the whole wide world for Jesus”.


Mr. David Beggs arrived in Kaiapoi. He and his family gave excellent service to the

work of the Sunday School and Bible Class from their arrival in Kaiapoi, until leaving

for Palmerston North in the 1980s.

In the January 1957 issue of St. Paul’s magazine the following report on the Sunday

School was included: -

“On Sunday, November 18th, some 80 children took part in their Anniversary

Services in the morning and evening. While the children’s singing was evidence of the

thorough preparation which had been carried out under the baton of Miss Lois Wilcox,

the very large congregation were an inspiration to the whole Sunday School Staff.

Special mention must be made of the very successful use of descant in some of the

songs. It was no mean accomplishment to be able to produce a group of children for

such a purpose and we express our thanks to Miss Wilcox for a fine piece of service to

the children and the Church.”

“Significant too, was the Children’s Christmas Service on Family Sunday, 16th

December. As on other occasions this year extra chairs had to be placed in the aisles

of the Church to accommodate the congregation. Once again the work of the Sunday

School staff was in evidence through the Christmas playette presented by the children

under the leadership of Miss L. Hamel, and a children’s choir trained by Miss

Wilcox.”

Teachers about this time were: David Beggs (Superintendent), David Beggs (Jnr) ,

Nola Burgess (Johnstone), Jean Claridge, Mary Ellmers, Louise Hamel, Mr. D.

Moffat, Nan Stark and Lois Wilcox.

The steadily increasing number of Sunday School children and Bible Class members

made it necessary to find much needed accommodation. The concept of a new Youth

block came into future planning for the parish. In 1956 the decision was made to

purchase a vacant house and section in Sewell Street, and from then until the opening

in 1968 of the newly built Youth Centre, classes and activities were held there.

The children’s contribution to the fundraising efforts for the new building was a

weekly ‘Penny Trail.’ The aim was to collect a mile of coins. The trail was set out at

the entrance to the Church every Sunday morning. It was measured, the pennies

counted, and the result of the distance reached, announced. Also on display was a

model of the new youth block with a hole in its roof through which silver coins could

be dropped.

The opening of the new building in 1968 provided the Sunday School and Youth

Groups with much enhanced facilities.

Sunday, 14th February 1971 marked an important occasion in the life of the Anglican

and Presbyterian communities in Kaiapoi, when Rev. Goldsmith, Vicar of St.

Bartholomew’s dedicated the Superintendent and leaders of the Sunday School and

Bible Classes of the new United Youth Departments of the two denominations. About


135 children were on the roll of the Sunday School with 30 enthusiastic Bible Class

members. David and Jillian Johnson led the Youth I members, and Mr. and Mrs. Keith

Thompson of the Anglican Church, the Youth II group. Classes for Standard I to Form

2 were held after school on Tuesday afternoons. Family Services were held monthly at

St. Paul’s or St. Bartholomew’s.

The combined Sunday School and Youth Groups ceased in 1974 when the Anglican

Parish decided to withdraw from the programme. After school classes for the

Presbyterian children continued for a short period before reverting to meeting on

Sunday mornings.

Co-operating Parish

When the Co-operating Parish was formed the roll from the creche to Form 2

numbered 65. As well as spending time on the organisation of classes, members of the

Christian Education Committee gave much attention to the reorganisation and use of

all the resources available. The work during the second year was still hampered by the

lack of sufficient leaders and a non- teaching Superintendent.

By the third year, the committee had made good progress as the interest of the

children showed. Offerings were given to a specific project and this policy led to a

greatly increased response. As always, the work was hampered by a lack of helpers

but the roll had increased to 90. A Sunday School was also held at the Swannanoa

Church for several years, with about 20 attending.

Mrs. Sharon Hawkes was appointed Superintendent in 1982, and several new teachers

had been recruited. Family teas and fun evenings were held on Friday evenings. After

Mrs. Hawkes left Kaiapoi, Dick Lambert became the Superintendent. Colleen Bell

helped in the music area, with the children responding well to that important area of

teaching. About this time Kathleen Campbell joined the team.

The valuable services of Colleen and Jennifer Bell were lost in 1989 when the family

transferred. The roll dropped to about 20 with the changing life styles of families, and

attendance on average was very small. About the mid 1 990s Kathleen Campbell

became the leader of Christian Education, with the able assistance of Bonny

MacAlpine and others.

Since 1998 the roll has been steadily growing. A feature of recent years has been the

preparing and presentation of a programme in church at the end of each term.

Although very nerve racking for all concerned, the children seem to enjoy being able

to take part in the services.

Sadly, in 2001 Bonny MacAlpine passed away. Her faith and contribution to the

parish have been greatly missed.

Over the years the children have participated in exams and quizzes held by the North

Canterbury Methodist Sunday School Union, with excellent results. The shield for the

best results from a small parish has been won on several occasions.


As at 2003 the name had undergone a change - the Children’s Church’ - under the

continuing leadership of Kathleen Campbell, with assistance from Catherine

Blackburn, Claire Maslin, Julie Thomson and relievers John Cole and Beatrice

Warwick-Reynolds.

Youth Groups

Over the years of the co-operating parish young adults have been meeting for

fellowship, study, games evenings, social outings and attending camps.

In 1979 when the Methodist and Presbyterians came together, an eager group of 25

young people met on Sundays and then Friday nights at St. Paul’s Centre, under the

leadership of Rev. Bell, but organised by members themselves. Jennifer Diver, Kim

Regan and Chris Thompson took leading rolls. In 1983, Mike Gilligan was appointed

by Parish Council as a Youth Leader with continuing Bible Study, trips and activities.

A year later Catherine and Harvey Blackburn began work with the younger group with

Mike continuing with the Young Adults. From 1985 until she left Kaiapoi, Sharon

Hawkes led the youth group, with Russell Stone and Malcolm Williams leading the

Young Adults.

Colleen and Rev. Bell with help from Donald McKenzie kept the dwindling

membership active until 1990 when Barbara Hildreth with help from Lois Hawthorne

and Donald led a small group. In 1993 this group went into recess but was restarted in

1999 when Leonie Stapleton started working with Form 1 to Form 4 young people,

meeting at night for devotions, prayer, games and crafts. Since her arrival in Kaiapoi,

Irene Nel has assisted. At present Melanie and Stephen Ede work with the group.

Holiday Programme –

For many years an activity programme for children has been held in the school

holidays, in St. Paul’s Centre and in the last few years at the Wesley Centre. Among

those who co-ordinated these programmes have been Alison Yellowlees, Heather Bell

and Rosalie Holmes. Since 1989 Kathleen Campbell has been leading this outreach

work of the parish with support from Scott Campbell and other helpers assisting the

children in their activities and craft work.


GIRL’S AND BOY’S BRIGADES

Girls’ Brigade

A preliminary meeting of those interested in the formation of a Girls’ Life Brigade

was held in the Kaiapoi Presbyterian Schoolroom in 1955. It was decided to form a

Company under the leadership of Florence Moffat, with representatives of other

Kaiapoi Churches on the governing committee. While the Company was affiliated to

the Presbyterian Church, it was stressed that it was an interdenominational movement.

The aim of the brigade was for the spiritual, physical, educational and social benefit of

its members.

The enrolment service for the 1St Kaiapoi Company was held on 31 July 1955 at St.

Paul’s, when 41 girls and 3 officers were enrolled. The service was conducted by Rev.

D. A. Blyth, who spoke to the girls on the importance of truth, honesty and

faithfulness in the lives.

In 1980 a Church Parade was held at the Wesley Centre to celebrate their 25th

Anniversary. The first Captain, Mrs. Moffat was guest of honour. The sermon was

taken by the Regional Chaplain, Rev. Bert Cochrane an exminister of the Methodist

Parish.

This company continued with fluctuating rolls under the auspices of the Presbyterian

Church and the Co-operating Parish until it went into recess about 1995.

Captains of the Company were: Florence Moffat, V. Hayden, H. V. Dodge, E. L.

Hamel, R. Dodge, Anne McMaster, Denise Gray, June Leney, and Barbara Clegg.

Lieutenants (who did not go on to become Captain): G. Parry, M. Moore, C. Wright,

B. Lindsay, L. Dabinett, Margaret Read (Topp), H. Turner, Colleen Bell, and P.

Barnes.

Boys’ Brigade

The minutes of a meeting of St. Paul’s Session in April 1939, reports on a discussion

to form a Boys’ Brigade Company. Eric Price was appointed Captain and Albert

Cattermole Lieutenant. Presumably, the war years must have caused that company to

cease.

The 1st Company of the Kaiapoi Boys’ Brigade began in 1954 under the leadership of

Cyril Bisseker and Ed. Pollard, with 34 boys meeting in the Baptist Church Hall. Two

years later the Company moved to the old Methodist Sunday School Hall in Fuller

Street, remaining until 1975 when that hall was condemned. During those years the

Company was overseen by the Methodist Parish. In 1979, the Methodist Church

formally asked the Company to change affiliation to St. Bartholomew’s because the

new Co-operating Parish was going to be involved with the Girls’ Brigade.


Over those fifty or so years, many Methodist young men and boys passed through its

ranks and were leaders. Mr. Bisseker gave over 30 years of dedicated service to the

movement.

Family involvement

At the time Anne McMaster was Captain of the Girls’ Brigade, her husband Ron was

equally involved as Captain of the Boys’ Brigade.

GROUPS

LADIES’ GUILDS AND MISSIONARY UNIONS

No record would be complete without the inclusion of the excellent work of the

women of the parishes. Both the Presbyterian and Methodists had similar groups - the

names changed over the years, but the fellowship at meetings, outings, and work

carried out, have remained the same. Ever since their establishment these

organisations have done an immense amount of good work, whether it has been

raising money with bazaars and sales of work, cleaning the church, or providing the

flower arrangements. Spring cleaning of the Manse or Parsonage in readiness for new

ministers and their families had been another service. The Methodist Ladies in

particular, always had a special interest in the Parsonage, assisting in the provision of

amenities and in the regular maintenance of the furnishings. Not the least of these

activities has been the visiting of sick and elderly parishioners, and welcoming

newcomers to the district.

Members of the Missionary Unions supported Home and Overseas Missions and

Missionaries of their respective denominations.

Methodist Ladies Guild at Mrs L. Evans.


In the annual report of St. Paul’s Session for the year 1956, the Session Clerk Mr. R.

W. Smith reported “that the faithful work of the P.W.M.U. and Ladies’ Guild is a

valuable contribution to the whole parish. This year greater Missionary interest is

shown by the increased number of Mission Boxes distributed and the larger sum

received from them. The Ladies’ work in the Spring Flower Show met with great

success and their initiative in starting an Autumn Flower Show proved to be a means

of fellowship and a real help to congregational finances.” The flower shows were

organised by the ladies over many years, from at least the 1 920s to about 1971.

About 1964 both denominations reformed their Guilds and Missionary Unions into the

Association of Presbyterian Women and the Methodist Women’s Fellowship

respectively.

Cradle Roll

Keeping in touch with the families of the district has been another roll of the Women’s

Fellowships. An annual Cradle Roll party was organised by the A.P.W. with mothers

and children enjoying games and competitions.

Co-operating Women’s Fellowship

Since 1979 and the formation of the Women’s Fellowship the work has continued,

ably led over the 25 years by Marion Eggleston, Margaret L. Moore, Diane Murray,

and Margaret Cleland, with Treasurers Evelyn Bannan, Betty Poultney, and Eileen

Nicholas. Mary Forrest has been Secretary in recent years. The President’s duties have

been shared amongst the committee members for the last few years. The main

fundraising has been by way of catering for funerals and regular sales tables at the

meetings. For the last two years a very successful luncheon has been held to raise

funds for the Special Projects of A.P.W. and M.W.F., both here in New Zealand and

Overseas.

The Women’s Fellowship has made a most worthwhile contribution to the work of the

church both locally and in the wider field. Delegates have represented the Parish at

A.P.W. and M.W.F. meetings, with Marion Eggleston serving as President of

Presbyterial and on the Executive of the National Council of Women. Sheila Pinkham

was appointed to the M.W.F. Executive.

Other groups and clubs

The churches over the years, have provided fellowship for parishioners and others in

the community. The groups have had different names, but the objective has been the

same. Evening group of A.P.W. Young Wives, 30- 50 group, Indoor Bowling Clubs,

Men’s Fellowship, the present Friendship group, and Young Families, are just some of

the many. From the opening of St. Paul’s Youth Block and especially in the early

years of the Co-operating Parish under the direction of Tony Bell, the parish reached

out to the community, providing activities and get-togethers for those in need.


St. Paul’s Activity Centre - From the 1970s classes were held in the morning at St.

Paul’s Centre. Cane work, macrame, crochet, pottery, home repairs, budgeting, and

New Outlook courses for women returning to the work force were just some of the

subjects covered. Some of the crafts produced by those participating led indirectly to

the setting up of the Craft Shop as a commercial outlet.

St. Paul’s Playgroup A creche had been operating in conjunction with the Activity

Group at St. Paul’s. When the activity side ceased, the playgroup for pre-school

children was continued. It provided a place where mothers could get together and

discuss their problems with advisors, while their children could play with others of the

same age.

Craft Group - In 1984 a craft group was organised out of concern for housebound,

lonely and unemployed people in order to fulfil some of their social, creative and

emotional needs. A variety of craft activities have been undertaken, under the

guidance over the first years by Heather Bell, Colleen Bell, Rosalie Holmes, Jeanette

Jordan, Marilyn Mehrtens and Alison Yellowlees. Since 1988 Kathleen Campbell

with help from Scott, has continued coordinating the group, which still meets most

weeks apart from school holiday time.

Coffee Morning Group - For many years Marie, (and until recently the late Ron

Regan) has been running the Coffee Morning group which meets once a month for

morning tea, a chat and a laugh. Transport has been provided to enable elderly folk to

attend. In the winter, groups met to play cards.

Young families

This group meet monthly for social activities for families. They have assisted at

working bees - when new paths replaced the broken ones between the office and

Wesley Centre the fit young people helped with lifting the broken up pieces and

loading them on a truck.

Camps have been held at the Methodist Journey’s End Campsite.

Girls’ Clubs

Both denominations had Girls’ clubs in their history. The Presbyterians have records

of the Girls’ Club donating the Communion Table (at present in the Wesley Centre

Church) and a set of silver plates for Communion, given by the Girls’ Sunshine Club.

Haeremai and Pollyana Clubs

In the 1920s, there was a strong Methodist Girls’ Bible Class and it was felt that the

girls should have a social side to Bible Class life, so it was decided to form a Girls’

Club. The girls were keen to join and a meeting was called and officers elected. The

name Haeremai Club was chosen. Many happy evenings were enjoyed by the girls,

with a programme of devotions, physical jerks, quick thinking contests, and games.

Throughout the years the girls staged many concerts with plays, choruses and


tableaux, and in other ways helped to raise funds for the Church. After the club had

been running for some years the numbers so increased that the room was not large

enough and it was decided to divide into two groups. Those under sixteen were formed

into another club - the ‘Pollyanna Club.’ The younger girls had very happy socials and

moonlight picnics, with the two sections joining for any special effort or occasion.

Some pessimists had prophesied that the clubs would not last six months, but they

were still going strong after 21 years. Gradually the interest waned, and eventually the

clubs ceased.

IN MEMORIAM

Rolls of Honour

METHODIST - The World War I Honours Board was given to the Kaiapoi

Methodist Church by the parents of Private Eric J. Parnham who was killed in action

at Gravenstafel on October 4th 1917. This Honours Board also contains the names of

five other Parnhams. Miss S. E. Evans had been made the Convenor of the Committee

for the collection of the names.

PRESBYTERIAN - This World War I Memorial Scroll was presented to St. Paul’s

Presbyterian Church by Mrs. Kenneth Mcintosh (Snr). Her son William G. McIntosh

was killed in action in France, in 1918. The inscription reads “Greater love hath no

man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”.

When St. Paul’s was demolished in 1976 the scroll was put into storage until a

question was raised at the Annual Meeting in 1992 as to its whereabouts, the outcome

being that it was restored and placed in its present position in the Wesley Centre

Church. A rededication was held on Sunday 23 April 1995 with representatives from

the Kaiapoi R.S.A. present.

Stained glass window

IN THE WINGS OF THE MORNING from Psalm 139.

This beautiful stained glass window was designed and made by Graham Stewart of

Stewart Stained Glass Ltd Christchurch, in remembrance of Richard and Fanny Evans,

and Joseph H. and Margaret B. Blackwell. The estates of their daughters, Sarah E.

Evans and Margaret M. Blackwell provided the funds. The window was dedicated at a

service on 7 March 1982. A polycarbonate protection was added a few years later. A

plaque has the inscription “This window was presented by Sarah (Cis) Evans and

Margaret Blackwell to beautify this sanctuary in memory of their parents.”

This window replaced another created by a new process - THE LAST SUPPER. -

provided by the Estate of Sarah E. Evans who died in 1964, but unfortunately it

deteriorated. The families concerned decided to commission Mr Stewart to create the

present window.


Lecturn

Rev. Ben Riseley, incumbent minister of the Kaiapoi Circuit from 1954 to 1960

provided the lecturn in memory of his father Ernest Charles Riseley, born Greendale,

1871-1947.

Parsonage Steps

The Parsonage had been built in 1914. Rev. W. Ready who was the resident minister

in 1918 paid for the concrete paths around the Parsonage in gratitude to God for the

return of his son Lieutenant Ready. A small memorial is written for his son, R. C.

Ready, killed in action. The inscription is still visible at the front steps: - “R.C. Ready,

Messines, June 7th, 1917.”

Communion Set (Presbyterian)

A small communion set for use in house visits has the inscription: “To the glory of

God and in memory of Mina & Arthur Stewart Palmer, Kaiapoi”.

Hymn Board

The Hymn Board by the pulpit has the inscription : -

Sing unto him - Sing praises unto him

St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church Kaiapoi.

It was donated by his family to the memory of David Heney, a pioneer of

Presbyterianism in the district and an Elder of this congregation.

Font (Presbyterian)

The font that was at St. Paul’s, was given about 1946 by Mrs. R. Wylie, nee Forrest, in

memory of the Forrest and Jeffery families. The Rev. L. M. Rogers, Interim

Moderator received it on behalf of the congregation, the dedication being “for God’s

work in the church”.

Chairs (Presbyterian)

Four communion chairs presented by Mrs. Simpson in memory of her late husband

Gilbert Simpson, a former Elder, were received and dedicated at a service on March

13, 1949.

The Cross (Presbyterian)

Now standing on the Communion Table at the Wesley Centre, this cross has the

inscription “To the Glory of God” - ‘in memory of Mr. E. Moses.’ Mr. Moses was a

brother of Mrs. A. Titheridge. Both Mr. & Mrs. Titheridge and Mr. Moses were active

members of St. Paul’s.


ORGANS

St. Paul’s

The Bevington pipe organ in St. Paul’s, was purchased in 1915, and cost 60 pounds

plus 33 pounds for repairs and installation, paid for by the fundraising of the choir. It

was built by Bevington and Sons in 1870 for St. Mary’s Anglican Church Merivale.

Oxford Terrace Baptist Church next bought it in 1880 for 100 pounds, its original

cost, where it served for 35 years.

In 1923 Mr. Brockelbank the organist, offered to run a public concert to raise money

for an electric organ blower, but by 1927 it was moved and seconded that the organ

blower and bellringer’s salary be raised to 10 shillings a quarter. In the 1 930s a vote

of thanks was made to the boys of the Bible Class for blowing the organ. In 1951 an

electric blower was at last installed.

On the occasion of its 100th birthday, an organist wrote “During a recent visit to

Kaiapoi I was delighted to see the old organ virtually unaltered. The casework and the

painted designs on the pipes are still exactly as shown in old photographs of the

church interior. The organ is in remarkably good condition and has a clear bright

tone”.

This organ served St. Paul’s for 61 years until 1976 when the church was demolished.

Tenders were called and the successful tender was from the parish of the Christchurch

Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, who bought it for $1000 to replace their own

organ while it was being restored.

Back in 1915 when the organ was sold to St. Paul’s, the Rev. J. J. North wrote in his

parish magazine - “The old church organ is a turncoat! It commenced history as a

fully-fledged Anglican and gave evensong and matins for 10 years. Then its eyes were

opened and it forsook Ritualism and took to Puritanism, and for 35 years it was a

Baptist. But its final colour is to be blue. From now on it is a Presbyterian, and will be

heard on the banks of the Waimakariri. Whether it will try the Methodist connection

before it suddenly collapses we cannot say. But we can believe it. The old sinner is

probably contemplating such an outgoing”. While the Rev. North never dreamt of the

old sinner becoming a Catholic, he sadly underestimated the organ’s staying power.

Some of the organists over the years were Mr. Charles Brockelbank, Miss Nan Stark

for over forty years, Mr. A. Ellen, Mr. Harry Best, Miss Brundell, Peter Rowe and Mr.

Malcolm Weir.

Wesley Centre

The present pipe organ in the Wesley Centre, was purchased in 1879. It was built by

Edgar H. Jenkins who had worked for the famous organ builders William Hill & Sons,

one of the most outstanding organ builders in the world. Mr. Jenkins saw service in

the Crimean War, before coming to New Zealand. He and his brother opened a factory


for the treatment of flax on the banks of the Cam River where the present Kaiapoi Mill

stands. The venture was not a success and Edgar went back to his old craft of organ

building. He built two for Kaiapoi. The other is in St. Bartholomew’s.

The Jenkins Organ

In 1927 a discussion took place on the heating of the church, and this matter also

concerned the Trustees of the new church after 1935. Investigations undertaken in


1954 proved that cold air was blown into the church through the organ blower, and so

the problem was partially solved by heating the air intake. Hugh Blackwell was a

regular operator of the organ blower in pre World War I days.

The organ was completely overhauled in 1935 when moved from the old church to the

new. It was reported that “its rich tones are heard to advantage in the new building.”

Mrs. J. H. Blackwell, the organist for many years, donated finance for the move and

installation. Another long serving organist, Mrs. L. B. Evans, donated regular funds

towards its maintenance.

Another major overhaul was carried out in 1996, paid from a fund set up for the

purpose, and the Statham Trust. The opportunity was also taken to restore some

missing pipes which were available. This organ represents an extremely fine example

of Jenkins’ workmanship, and is one of the very few of his organs to have survived in

a relatively untouched form. (John Stiller, Documentation of Pipe Organ built by E. H.

Jenkins 1981) The organ is considered to possess very fine tone qualities.

Organists have been Mrs. Beck, Mr. Gordon Blackwell Mrs. J. H. Blackwell, Mr. A.

Blakeley, Mr. B. Wilson Blakeley, Mr. Reuben Blakeley, Mrs. H. Cory, Miss B.

Ellen, Mrs. L. B. Evans, A Johnston, Mr. F. Laurence, Miss Lock, Mr. George Martin,

Mr. L. Mitchell, Mrs. Pollard, Mr. Tom Rowlands, Mr. T. G. Smith, Mr. Isaac Wilson

and Mr. Arthur Withers.

Since 1979 we have been fortunate in having Macolm Weir, Lydia Joslen, Alan Burn

and Beryl Duncan as our organists.


PARISH CRAFT SHOP

September 17th 1979 was a day to remember for a group of keen Co-operating Parish

members. It marked the opening of a retail craft centre in Charles Street, in the name

of the Church. For several years, first St. Paul’s, and continuing with the Co-operating

Parish, a Craft and Activity Programme had been run at the St. Paul’s Centre. The idea

was mooted to have a local outlet for the goods produced at these classes.

The first Board of Directors was Hugh Diver Chairman, Betty Poultney Secretary,

with Rev. Tony Bell, Ken Wooster, David Johnson, and Michael Eder. Parishioners

and others staffed the shop on a roster system. Shortly after opening, an opportunity

arose to move into a brand new shop in Hansens Mall, with double the showroom

area. Goods were sold on commission or bought in. In the first 9 months of operation

$2500 profit was made which was put into building up stock.

In 1982 the shop moved to a more prominent location at the corner of Hilton and

Williams Streets. By the end of the fourth year nearly $40,000 had been paid out to

suppliers, mostly to people in the Kaiapoi community.

1984 saw the resigning from the Board of Directors of Hugh Diver and Betty

Poultney. Rev. Bell agreed to become Chairman for one year, but remained in the

position until he left the parish in 1988. Mrs. Grace Read became Treasurer and Mrs.

Edna Booth, Secretary.

A changed management policy in 1985 with regards to stock control and buying,

resulted in the shop returning a profit after a book loss in the previous year. Sadly,

Edna Booth died that year. Ken Wooster retired from the Board.

1986, the year of the introduction of G.S.T. caused some concern and also contributed

to a large distortion in sales, but trading soon settled back to normal.

After an analysis of the trading figures generated after the first eight years of

operation, it was decided to have two paid working Directors, Rita Hewson and Betty

Tindall. Between them they worked for 44 hours on a job share basis, and were paid

for 20 hours total.

1989 was a time of change and new beginnings for the shop. The new lease proposed

for the Williams Street site resulted in the doubling of the rent. Several options were

investigated. Among them, closing the shop, subleasing a part of it, or moving. The

decision was made to move to the Parsonage, accompanied by a name change to ‘Ye

Olde Parsonage Craft Shoppe.’ A new activity now undertaken was providing

afternoon tea to groups on bus trips. This resulted in many people returning to the

shop with friends and family. 1991 was the most successful year at the Parsonage site,

enabling a more generous gift to Parish finances. Grace Read resigned her position as

Treasurer in 1994, with Peter Nicholas taking over. During the 1996/7 year Mr.

Nicholas resigned with Nola Johnstone combining the role of Treasurer and

Chairperson.


Regrettably the shop closed on 31 March 1998, mainly to accommodate the parish

demands for office space following the sale of the St. Paul’s Centre. It has been closed

now for over five years but enquires are still being received from visitors to Kaiapoi

looking for ‘the craft shop.’ Over the 19 years of its existence, $22,000 was donated to

church funds. Also, items for the Wesley Lounge were purchased - a new stove and

donation towards a second, chairs, and some large plates.

Some of the people who worked harmoniously together over the 19 years, on the

Board, or as volunteers helping in the shop were: - Eleanor Andrews, Robin Bagrie,

Tony and Colleen Bell, Edna Booth, Shirley Brown, Ruth Burbery, Paula Capstick

(Secretary), Sue Capstick, Hugh Diver, Michael Eder, Edith Fellows, I. Fitzsimmons,

Mary Forrest, Rita Hewson, Carol Howard, Barbara and Errol Hildreth, Audrey

Hodgson, Melva Inglis, David and Jillian Johnson, Nola Johnstone, Gwenda Jones,

Lydia Joslen, Val Kerry, Betty McEwen, Dorothy MacKay, Graham Moore, Margaret

Moore, Eileen and Peter Nicholas, Betty Poultney, Grace Read, Marie Regan, Ngaire

Ridgen, Pearl Roberts, Moya Robinson, Ursula Saunders, Betty Tindall, Alice

Williams, Betty Williams, M. Williams, Esna Wilson, and Ken and Edna Wooster.

Several Kaiapoi High School students gained work experience assisting in the shop

and helping with the annual stock take.

The impact on the Kaiapoi community by the presence of the Craft Centre cannot be

overstated. The shop was part of the witness and outreach into the community, as well

as providing joy for those working together in it. The contribution they made to the

Parish and community can never be measured in just dollars and cents.


PEOPLE

To give a complete record of the services rendered by members of the panshes over

the 150 years is impossible. Many unrecorded folk have always turned .up at working

bees, helped out at fairs, bazaars, fetes, church teas, garden parties and flower shows.

Others have been door keepers, committee members, Sunday School teachers - the list

is endless. The following are just its some of the many.

Evelyn Bannan, sister of the Rev. J. H. Thompson (1964-69), was a Circuit Steward

and Parish Councillor. She was involved with Christian Education and M.W.F. Her

husband P.J. (Brownie) Bannan served on property committees.

David and Clara Beggs came to Kaiapoi in the mid 1940s. David was an elder from

1946 and was a long serving Superintendent of the Sunday School at St. Paul’s. He

also gave excellent service for over 10 years to the Boys’ Brigade.

Charles Bennett linked up with the Kaiapoi Methodist Church in 1907, and for 43

years rendered devoted and faithful service as a member of the Choir, Circuit Steward,

‘Methodist Times’ agent, and Trustee.

George Henry Blackwell took a deep interest in the Methodist Church from his first

coming to Kaiapoi in 1866. Pursuing his interest in the young he was first a teacher in

the Sunday School, then for some years its Superintendent, and on retiring from that

office, took charge of the Young Women’s Bible Class.

Mr. Blackwell conducted the choir for over 30 years, securing harmony in more ways

than one. For many years he was Circuit Steward with the complete confidence and

approval of all parishioners. Ministers found in him a true friend.

Mr. Blackwell was one of the best known and most highly esteemed laymen

connected with the Methodist Church in New Zealand. He served in almost every

capacity that came within a layman’s sphere. For almost 40 years he attended almost

every Conference, either as a representative of the Circuit, or of some Connexional

Committee. He devoted his business capabilities to several positions, the best known

as Treasurer of the Church Building and Loan Fund.

As well as commencing the store that still bears his name, he was one of the 12

original shareholders of the Woollen Mill, being Chairman of Directors for over 30

years. A wide range of sports clubs in Kaiapoi also benefited from his assistance.

The Temperance Movement had his life-long support, and he was chief officer and

Trustee for the Sons and Daughters of Temperance Lodge. His wife Annie, was

herself an inspiring influence especially in all Women’s public and private activities.

She was a founder of the W.C.T.U. movement in Kaiapoi.

Mr. Blackwell served as Mayor of Kaiapoi 1879-1881.

Joseph Henry Blackwell, son of George, died in Auckland in 1967 aged 95. Nurtured

by devout parents, he began a life that was from the beginning to end a service to God,


Church and of his fellow men. When he allied himself with any sort of cause, he

seemed to have given it about 25 years of service. He was Superintendent of the

Sunday School, and Leader of the Choir. He sang beautifully, music being one of his

great delights.

Mr. Blackwell was associated with a long sweep of Methodist Church history. He was

present in 1909 at the General Conference of the Methodist Church of Australasia

where the decision was taken to separate the New Zealand Conference, from which

time the Methodist Church in New Zealand really began. In 1919 he was Vice-

President of Conference.

As well as the family business, he was associated with the Woollen Mill, North

Canterbury Freezing Co., and local body affairs, all of which he served for long

periods. He was Mayor of Kaiapoi for 11 years, including the difficult First World

War years, when he led the war effort of the community.

Mr. Blackwell is remembered as a man of remarkable zeal and vigour. He was able to

make a real contribution almost to the end of his long life. He was always looking

forward, deeply interested in the things of the future - looking forward to the signs of

Church Union and rejoicing in them.(Address given by the Rev. Dr. D. C. Williams at Mr.

Blackwell’s funeral service. )

At the Quarterly Meeting of July 12th 1937, it was placed on record the long and

faithful service for the church of Mrs. T. G. (Emma) Blackwell, . For about 38 years

she had been engaged in Sunday School work and other departments of the church.

Her great sympathy in visiting the sick and comforting those in trouble endeared her

to all.

Mrs. H. H. Blackwell held the office of Foreign Mission Secretary for over 20 years.

Mr. Reuben Blakeley became the organist in 1881 and remained for 23 years,

devoting much time to the composition of church music. Mr. Blakeley was Mayor of

Kaiapoi in 1891.

His son Abraham followed in his footsteps. At the Quarterly Meeting of February

1952 the following resolution was noted: - “In the passing of Mr. Abraham Blakeley,

the Kaiapoi Methodist Church has lost one of its most gifted and devoted members.

For over 30 years he was choirmaster and a good part of that time, organist. For a

number of years he was also conductor of the Methodist Orchestra which was a great

asset to the Church and community. He also held other important offices, including

that of Circuit Steward, and he carried out all his duties with thoroughness and

devotion.”

Alan and Kath Burn are more recent Kaiapoi residents, but have contributed much to

the parish since their arrival. Alan, organist and organ minder, Finance Committee

Convenor, and until 2003 when he retired by rotation, a Parish Councillor. At the

annual meeting of 2003 he was thanked for his tremendous efforts as a Senior


Member of the Council, where he shared the chair duties with Rev. Harkness. Kath as

leader of the Social Committee has organised the fair, church dinners and other social

activities.

Lloyd and Margaret Cleland gave many years service during their years in Kaiapoi;

to St. Paul’s, the Co-operating Parish and the wider community, where Lloyd was

Headmaster of the Borough School. Both were elders at St. Paul’s and continued as

Parish Councillors. Lloyd was the first Secretary of the Co-operating Parish. Margaret

served in all branches of the Church. Her association with the Women’s Fellowship

and appointment as delegate to the Christchurch Presbyterial gave Margaret an

especial pleasure. She was a Kaiapoi Borough Councillor for three terms and was

involved with the National Council of Women.

Marion and Garven Eggleston came to Kaiapoi in the mid 1970s. Marion has given

great service to A.P.W., and Women’s Fellowship, and was Secretary of Parish

Council for 5 years. Garven has been Elder, Parish Councillor and Choir Leader. His

musical accompaniment on the flute has been especially enjoyed by the congregation.

Richard Evans arrived in the district in 1870. He took a keen interest in the young

people of the parish for 50 years, being closely associated with the Sunday School as

teacher, Superintendent, or Leader of the Bible Class.

As a Trustee and Circuit Steward he worked for the Circuit, particularly during the

difficult days when the Circuit was large and the financial burden heavy. As Treasurer

for the Home and Foreign Mission Funds he served the Church well. He was the

Circuit’s representative to Conference on many occasions.

In the midst of a very busy life he also served as chairman or member of many local

bodies. He died in his seventy-eighth year as the result of a railway accident.

His daughter Sarah Edith (Cis) performed varied tasks over many years for the

Church, as a member of the Quarterly Meeting, Home Mission Secretary, Treasurer of

the New Church Fund, Convenor of the Committee for the collection of names for the

Roll of Honour, President of the Ladies Guild, and youth work. In February 1951,

tribute was paid to Miss Evans for her long service as a Sunday School teacher, and

Bible Class leader - “a service well and nobly done.”

Mrs. L. B. (Sally) Evans was the organist for many years. A tribute was paid at the

Quarterly Meeting of February 1974 on the devoted service rendered by Mrs. Evans

who served the church for many years as organist. Her smile and warmth were

appreciated by all who met her.

George Gray was Church Secretary in the 1890s when attached to the Kaiapoi

Presbyterian Parish. George’s son Eric was encouraged by his mother to have an

interest in Church and Sunday School work. At the early age of 17 or 18 he became

Secretary and Treasurer at St Paul’s and was a Sunday School teacher, holding both

positions until his departure overseas in World War I. In the 1930s when Eric returned


to Kaiapoi it was not long before he again became Secretary Treasurer, helping to

improve the church finances to a credit balance. He was also a member of the Choir.

During the mid-thirties he fell out with the minister over the rights and wrongs of

dancing, and went over to the Methodist Church for a time. He again became involved

and was appointed Treasurer. He initiated a scheme for ‘tin money’ - each Methodist

household having a tin for spare change. The proceeds were collected quarterly and

greatly assisted the finances of the Circuit. On returning to St. Paul’s he was ordained

an elder in 1945. Mr. Gray was elected to the Kaiapoi Borough Council and served a

term as Mayor in the 1940s.

His son Gavin continued the family tradition of serving in the church, being ordained

an elder at St. Paul’s in 1954. Soon after, he became Session Clerk with numerous

other responsibilities from time to time, including being the Presbytery elder. These

duties continued until the early 1970s when he resigned all positions. In 1994 he was

asked to become Secretary of the Co-operating Parish after the resignation due to ill-

health of John McKenzie. This he willingly did as a temporary measure, undertaking

the reorganisation of the Parish committee structure during his tenure. Mr. Gray was

also a Lay Preacher for many years.

Matthew Hall arrived in Kaiapoi in 1860. He was one of the Trustees when the first

Methodist Church was built. When Kaiapoi became a separate Circuit he was

appointed Circuit Steward. He was an able preacher and often supplied when the

stated preacher failed to attend. He was Kaiapoi’s first Mayor.

Mr. T. G. Hardy was Church Treasurer for 10 years at St. Pau’s, ending in 1957

when he left the district.

For over 30 years Rita Hewson has been Treasurer, covering the closing years of the

Methodist Parish, and the complications associated with the formation of the Co-

operating Parish working with the different procedures of two denominations. Rita

was a member of the Quarterly Meeting and is a Parish Councillor.

Ron Hide served as Secretary of the Kaiapoi Church Trust for 34 years and as a

Circuit Steward, for 25 years. He had the honour of opening the Wesley Lounge.

Brothers Gilbert and Arthur Hirst gave valuable service to their respective Parishes.

Gilbert was an elder, choirmaster, Sunday School Superintendent and Secretary to the

Board of Managers at St. Paul’s. Arthur gave many years of faithful service at the

Methodist Church, and to the choir.

Harold and Rosaline Hosking, and their family were fully involved in the work of

the Methodist Parish. Harold was a Lay Preacher, and for 8 years Circuit Treasurer.

Rosaline was Sunday School Superintendent for some years. With the Co-operating

Parish she was a Parish Councillor and choir member. Their children were involved in

Youth Work.


Arthur J. Kennett was an ardent local preacher, and for 17 years Superintendent of

the Methodist Sunday School. He always attended services morning and evening.

William Lintott (Snr) For nearly 30 years he occupied various positions in the

Methodist Church, notably in the Sunday School and on the Trust. William Lintott

(Jnr) is remembered for his musical contribution and with his wife, on Sunday School

Committees.

Grace and Kenneth McIntosh arrived in the Kaiapoi area in the 1850s. Grace was

devoted to her religious faith, and despite dust in the summer and mud in the winter,

each Sunday the family made their way on foot down the Beach Road track to St.

Paul’s. Grace’s affiliation with St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church remained, even when

the family lived closer to Rangiora.(Richards. Lynne. ‘A colonising achievement.’ In Our

lesser stars: twelve New Zealand family biographies. edited by Colleen P. Main. Auckland: The

New Zealand Society of Genealogists, 1990: 15-39.)

Her sons, daughters, and grandchildren followed her. Catherine Stark, her eldest

daughter followed her mother as an ardent worker at St. Paul’s, becoming a Sunday

School teacher, and active supporter. Her granddaughters, the Misses Stark gave

many years service. Her son Hector was an elder, as was his son Jim Mcintosh.

John Mckenzie, Mavis and their children, Audrie, Heather and Donald, have all

contributed to the life of the Methodist Church in Kaiapoi. John has been a Lay

Preacher for over 40 years, a Circuit Steward and Parish Councillor. From 1986 to

1993 he was joint Secretary to Parish Council. His children helped with youth work

and served on Parish Council.

The Miss Mckinlays came to New Zealand from Scotland. Mary was the first in

1915, and her reports and news about New Zealand persuaded Margaret (Maggie),

Lizzie and their mother to also come, arriving in Kaiapoi in 1920. They were involved

in the Sunday School and Women’s groups. Of the three sisters, Lizzie was the quiet

one, Mary the lively one with the thickest Scottish accent, and Maggie the devout one.

Several people have said that their memory of Maggie was that before partaking of

afternoon tea she always bowed her head and said grace. Both Mary and Maggie lived

to over 100 years of age.

Miss Nellie McRorie died in her 90th year in 1962. She was the oldest Communicant

member of St. Paul’s at the time of her death. She is remembered for being very active

in Church affairs.

Miss Ida Martin, was a long serving Methodist Sunday School teacher, a leader of

the Morning Star Brigade, and a member of the Quarterly Meeting.

R. Serv. and Margaret Moore served the Methodist Parish at Ohoka and the Co-

operating Parish. Serv. was a Circuit Steward and Parish Councillor. Margaret was

Superintendent of the Sunday School at Ohoka and involved with M.W.F.


Jack Murray served for well over 50 years on the Board of Managers of St. Paul’s,

and then the Property Committees of the Co-operating Parish. Diane has been

associated in various offices in the Women’s activities of St. Paul’s and the Co-

operating Parish. Both served terms as Parish Councillors.

Fred and Sheila Pinkham have been heavily involved with the Methodist and the

Co-operating Parishes. Fred was for a time the Sunday School Superintendent, is a

Parish Councillor, Convenor of the Property Committee and a representative of the

parish on various committees. Sheila’s association has been with Women’s groups, as

a Parish Councillor and in the Choir.

Len, Grace and Margaret Read (Topp) The Read family have been involved with

the Methodist and Co-operating Parish for many years. Len was a Trustee of the

Kaiapoi Church. Grace was Treasurer of the Parish Craft shop. Margaret has been

involved in a variety of capacities from a young age. - Parish Councillor, Sunday

School work, Girls’ Brigade. As Convenor of the Building Committee for the

extensions to the Wesley Lounge she took on an unenvious task, but the result is there

for all to see.

Ted and Anne Richmond Both Mr. and Mrs. Richmond were elders at St. Paul’s,

Anne having the distinction of being the first woman inducted. In the Co-operating

Parish she was a member of the Pastoral Committee. Anne was also President of the

Ladies’ Guild and P.W.M.U. at St. Paul’s.

Moya Robinson contributed to services at St. Paul’s and the Co-operating Parish,

with her lively enthusiasm.

Miss Annie (Nan) Stark completed some 40 years as organist at St. Paul’s, as well as

teaching Sunday School and Bible Class for many years. In addition to her regular

attendance to the musical side of Church services, Miss Stark was also active in the

work of the various Women’s groups and for many years served on the Board of

Managers, including that of Secretary.

Jessie Stark was a long serving Sunday School teacher, and Mary was active in the

Women’s groups.

Mrs Ellen Stocking was for many years a faithful member of the Methodist Church

and Choir. She rendered exceptional service as a Sunday School teacher for over 36

years and was a member of the Quarterly Meeting for 27 years.

Grace and Hannah Thom, born in Scotland but living in Durham England, came in

the mid 1960s to join their brother in Kaiapoi. From their arrival they participated in

parish activities, especially A.P.W. They were not backward in providing feedback to

the ministers on their sermons. Many an earnest discussion was held after the service,

even during the service on one occasion.

Fred Thorne was a loyal and keen Methodist. He served as a Circuit Steward, was

doorkeeper for over 40 years, and Secretary of the Trust for over 20 years. He married


Jane, the daughter of James and Sarah Baker. Slight in build, he was nevertheless full

of energy and in spite of his carting and roading contracting business and farming

activities he found time to serve long terms as Councillor and Deputy-Mayor,

President of the Farmers’ Union and as a member of other local bodies.

Betty Tindall has been a Parish Councillor, Choir member, and was involved with the

Craft Shop.

Mr. and Mrs. Alec Titheridge were involved at St. Paul’s. Alec was inducted as an

Elder in 1956, and was Presbytery Elder. In 1957 he became Church Treasurer. Mrs.

Titheridge was President of the combined P.W.M.U. and Ladies’ Guild, as well as a

member of the Board of Managers, and a vital member of the Flower Show

Committee. When they left Kaiapoi at the end of 1960 a farewell evening was held to

show the appreciation of the parish for their great service.

Arthur Withers, born in Southbrook, came to Kaiapoi when he became headmaster

of the Kaiapoi Borough School in 1946. He continued his long association with the

Methodist Church, serving as Circuit Steward and as Choir Leader and organist.

The church grounds have been tended over the years by willing gardeners. Ray

Tavendale, a Trustee of the Methodist Church, lived next door to the Parsonage. He

maintained the lawns around the church for many years. George and Ursula

Saunders looked after the Wesley Centre and grounds for a number of years,

followed by Sheila Pinkham who tended the gardens. In recent times Dennis Fraser

has kept the lawns around the Parsonage and Church immaculate. Recently, Ann

Hulston has supervised the planting of the gardens surrounding the church and

lounge. Roses, camellias and other shrubs have all contributed to a pleasing display.


SWANNANOA, OHOKA, CLARKVILLE AND

EAST EYRETON CHURCHES

Over the past 150 years the Kaiapoi Methodist Circuit had many boundary changes,

but the Swannanoa, Ohoka, East Eyreton and Clarkville Societies were often included.

Ohoka and Swannanoa were still in existence in 1979 and became part of the Co-

operating Parish.

Swannanoa - The land in Tram Road was donated to the community in 1873 by

John Evans Brown, an American who had settled in Swannanoa. The Brown family

and a Mrs. Peacock were the chief benefactors of the church.(Mr. Brown had married a

sister of Hon. J. T. Peacock. (Hawkins. p. 142.) ) The building was opened by the Rev.

James Buller. A small cemetery is located at the rear of the section.

A Centennial Service was held on 25 November 1973, led by the Rev. W. R. Laws,

President of Conference. The Centennial gates, and memorial fence for Mr. John

Roland Paterson, were dedicated at the service.

Ongoing maintenance of the building and grounds by members of the Trust has

continued, with repainting in 1972. In 1994 the Winter Family generously offered to

renovate the church, the Co-operating Parish paying for materials only. Rotten

window frames were replaced, floors polished and oiled, and the exterior water

blasted and repainted.

In 1974 a letter was forwarded to Mr. M. Harman stating that “The circuit has

appreciated his long and devoted service”. Mr. Harman had served on the Swannanoa

Trust for 41 years and had been Secretary for 30 of those years. Mr. Walter Norris was

appointed the new secretary and continues to this day.

Services have been held intermittently over the years. It is interesting to note that in

1956 services had been discontinued for some time and it was proposed to demolish

the building. Services resumed in 1961. In the 1 970s Rev. Lindsay Day of St. Paul’s

held a service once a month. At the time of the formation of the Co-operating Parish in

1979 services were being held about once a month, with Mrs. Margaret Stephens as

organist. A Sunday School met in the church for several years in the 1980s.

The only service held at present is the well attended Christmas Eve torchlight carol

service.

Ohoka - The Eyre settlers, led by Samuel Bradley and Isaac Wilson, built the Ohoka

Methodist Church at 401 Whites Road in 1865. It cost 100 pounds and was designed

to accommodate 130 parishioners. Twelve years later the church entrance was altered

so that a larger church could be built across the front, creating a ‘T’ shape.

There was some discussion in 1958 on purchasing a section in Mill Road with the

intention of building a new church, but this did not eventuate. The last service held in


the church was in 1978, and the building sold by auction in 1985. The new owners

converted it into a dwelling and redesigned the garden around the established trees.

The original Parsonage was built in the 1860s. It was sold in 1961 and still stands

today at 547 Mill Road.

Ohoka Sunday School late 1960s.

On his resignation because he was leaving the district, Mr. William Ashe was thanked

for the work he had done for the Circuit in leading the youth at Ohoka. as a Lay

Preacher, Circuit Steward, Leigh Camp Trustee, and his many times as representative

at Synod and Conference. Others to serve the Ohoka Parish were Mr. Sheat who gave

approximately 35 years service as Secretary of the Trust, Mr. Madeley who looked

after the collections for many years, and in the latter years Margaret and Serv. Moore.

Margaret was Sunday School Superintendent. After her resignation in 1976 the

Sunday School closed. As a fundraiser in the 1950s a successful flower show was

organised by the parishioners.

East Eyreton - The church in South Eyre road was built on a section donated by

Marmaduke Dixon, and opened in March 1875 by the Rev. R. Bavin, Superintendent

of the Circuit. It remained in the Kaiapoi Circuit until 1913, when a new Circuit was

established comprising Ohoka, Swannanoa, Horrelville and Eyreton. In 1956 it was

back with Kaiapoi, a service being held every two months. At the Quarterly Meeting

of October 1960, a resolution was passed “that the Eyreton Trust make available their

church for removal to Leigh Camp as a Chapel if the building was suitable for


removal”. The decision that services at Eyreton be suspended was also passed. In 1961

the building was removed to the Methodist Camp at Loburn. The camping ground is

now in private ownership, but the Chapel is still standing.

The section was sold in 2001, the proceeds going towards the extensions to Wesley

Lounge.

Clarkville - The Clarkville Methodists first met in the school until 1896 when they

obtained the small church previously used by the Bible Christians at Kaiapoi. It was

shifted at no charge by Mr. O. Holland using his traction engine, to a site donated by

James Clothier at 224 Tram Road. In February 1940 it was destroyed by fire, so

services were again held in the Clarkville school. In 1946 a Military Hut was

purchased, as a smaller building was felt to be more suited to the needs of the

congregation. This latter building was sold to the Anglican Church in 1968 and shifted

to St. Augustine’s for use as a Sunday School. Services had ceased in 1965. The

section was also sold in 1968.


THIS AND THAT

Parish Councillors today have some weighty problems to debate at meetings. The

following are some of the items debated in the past.

At the meeting of 6 October 1868 the question as to the liability of the meeting to pay

doctor’s bills on behalf of the minister or his family it was resolved “that the matter

remain at rest until sickness actually occurs, and that then the doctor’s bills be paid

upon presentation, out of the funds in the hands of the Circuit Stewards”.

Travel allowances or the provision of conveyances was another important matter.

The salary proposed for the Superintendent minister was 190 pounds per annum plus

10 pounds for horse feed.

In 1875 a bill was received from Messrs Keetley ‘for repairs to the trap, caused by the

late accident.’ Other items requiring agreement from the Quarterly Meeting were for a

paddock to be fenced, a new horse and trap purchased, the old saddle to be sold and 60

bushels of oats to be purchased.

In 1884, ‘a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. R. Belcher for his valuable gift

of a horse for Circuit purposes.’

In 1914 the horse and trap were sold but no mention was made of a ‘Circuit Car.’ The

only mention was that of a ‘bike’ which apparently required 1 pound per quarter for

maintenance. This allowance continued well into the 1950s. The first reference to a

car allowance was in 1945, when 25 pounds was paid. Thanking the ladies for

supplying sustenance at meetings is also a regular item recorded in the minutes. The

Quarterly Meeting of 13 July 1946 was held for some reason at 2.3Opm on Saturday.

The minutes record that “During the meeting a very dainty afternoon tea was

dispensed by the ladies present and at the conclusion of the meeting a hearty vote of

thanks was accorded for their generous action”. At the opening of the Primitive

Methodist building in 1882 “The ladies had the superintendence of the comestibIes. (The Lyttelton Times 7.9.1882)

The struggle to pay the stipends of ministers, and the upkeep of buildings has been a

matter of concern from the beginning of the parishes. Back in 1869 the Income

reported for the quarter was 85 pounds - Expenditure 102 pounds. A long discussion

ensued on the means of raising funds to ease the situation. It was proposed that a Tea

Meeting be held in Rangiora about the time of the ‘full moon’, presumably so that

travellers could better see their way.

Back in the 1880s, before the days of typewriters and photocopiers, a Presbyterian

minister was trying to copy a contentious letter that was on the table at a special

meeting of the parish. An elder objected to this, approached the table and promptly

snatched the letter and put it in his pocket.


PARISH COUNCILLORS

The complete list of Councillors who have served over the 25 years is:

Atkinson, J.

Baines, Alan

Bannan, Evelyn

Blackburn, Catherine

Booth, Edna

Burn, Alan

Capstick, Sue

Cleland, Lloyd (Secretary)

Cleland, Margaret

Cole, John

Diver, Hugh

Eggleston, Garven

Eggleston, Marion (Secretary)

Farquhar, John

Gebbie, Lily

Gray, Gavin (Secretary)

Groocock, Mike

Hawkes, Sharon

Hewson, Annette

Hewson, Rita (Treasurer)

Hosking, Rosaline

Hulston, Ann

Johnson, David

Johnson, Jillian

Johnstone, Nola (Secretary)

Kappelle, Catherine

Lambert, Dick

McGregor, Betty

McGregor, Evan

MacKay, Dorothy

McKenzie, Audrie

McKenzie, Donald

McKenzie, John (Secretary)

Mckenzie, Mavis (Secretary)

McLeod, Lorraine

Mawson, Joan

Moore, Graham

Moore, Serv.

Murray, Diane

Murray, C. J. (Jack)

Nicholas, Peter

Pinkham, Fred

Pinkham, Sheila

Pottinger, Dorothy

Poultney, Betty

Regan, Kim

Rodgers, Heather

Spiers, D. Mrs.

Steere, Cynthia

Stephens, S. L.

Stone, David

Stone, Linda (Secretary)

Storer, Giselle

Thomson, Andrew

Tindall, Betty

Topp, Margaret

Travaille, Bill

Walls, Mavis

Williams, Alice

Williams, Betty

Winter, Caroline

Wooster, Edna

Wooster, Ken


CIRCUIT STEWARDS

The boundaries of the Kaiapoi Circuit were altered many times. Some of the following

represented the parishes of Clarkville, Eyreton, Ohoka, Swannanoa or Woodend.

Alexander, R. McDougall, J. W. A.

Ashe, William McKenzie, John A.

Bannan, Evelyn Moore, R. Serv.

Bate, W. E. Parnham, Herbert

Bennett, E. Charles Parnham, W. E.

Blackwell, George H. Pashby, T.

Blackwell, Joseph H. Roberts, E. J.

Blakeley, Abraham Rowlands, Tom

Bollington, F. Stanton, Joseph

Burnet, T. J. Thompson, Joseph

Coup, Robert Thorne, Fred

Ellen, George A., Tull, James

Evans, Richard Ward, T. B.

Hall, Matthew Wilson, Isaac

Hide, Ron Wilson, Thomas

Holland, Obed C. Withers, Arthur

Little, J. Wood, James


ELDERS WHO SERVED AT ST. PAUL’S

This list, with the date of induction, may not be complete as some minute books are

missing.

Bagrie, Eric, 1974

Bagrie, Ian, 1974

Baines, Alan J., 1972

Bax, Edward E., 1934

Beggs, David, 1946

Benson, Harry, 1963

Botting, R. J. E. (Jim), 1949

Bradley, George, 1916

Campbell, James B., 1920

Chambers, Russell J., 1967

Chapman, Ray S., 1960

Chishoim, James B., pre-1892

Cleland, A. Lloyd, 1971

Cleland, Margaret, 1974

Corbett, Robert J., 1916

De’Ath, H. E., 1961

DeAth, Peter, 1967

Douds, T., pre-1914

Eggleston, Garven, 1977

Ferguson, J. W., 1923

Galilee, Keith, 1974

Gardiner, Boyd, 1960

Gray, Eric G., 1945 (Treasurer)

Gray, Gavin, 1954 (Session Clerk)

Guthrie, Robert, 1892

Heney, David, pre-1892

Hewitt, T., 1925

Hirst, Gilbert, 1962

Inglis, W. (Bill), 1968 (Treasurer)

Innes, Donald, 1939 (Session Clerk

Johnson, David, 1974

Kidd, James, pre-1879

Lammie, Mr., pre-1879

Logan, R. J., 1923

McGregor, Evan, 1974 (Treasurer)

MacGregor, G. A., 1925

Mcintosh, Donald, 1892

Mcintosh, Hector, pre-1914

Mcintosh, H. J. (Jim), 1953

Millar, Thomas, pre-1892

Miller, Andrew, 1920s

Moffat, D., 1949

Moore, Mr., pre-1879

Murray, Dr. J. A. J., 1892

Richardson, William, 1906

Richmond, Anne, 1967 (First woman)

Richmond, E. A. (Ted), 1963

Robinson, Peter, 1968

Ross, Charles, pre-1879

Rowe, E. Peter, 1960

Scott, lan, 1963

Shaw, John S., 1929

Simpson, Gilbert, 1929

Smith, R. W., 1954 (Session Clerk)

Stewart, J., 1923

Stone, Linda, 1969 (Session Clerk)

Tait, William, 1929

Thorniey, Harry, 1938 (Session Clerk)

Tinkler, Eimsley, 1956

Titheridge, Alec, 1956 (Treasurer)

Warburton, John, 1974

Wilson, David G., 1934

Wilson, I. H., 1963

Wilson, Robert, 1892

Worthington, J. A. (Jim), 1960

Young, Charles, pre-1879

Young, William, 1906

Zajonskowski, K. L., 1961


GLOSSARY

ASSESSOR A person who sits beside another; an assistant or advisor.

CIRCUIT A group of local Methodist Churches forming a minor administrative

unit.

CONFERENCE The annual assembly of the central governing body of the Methodist

Church.

CONNEXIONAL Of or pertaining to a Methodist connection ELDER An official of

the Presbyterian Church

GENERAL ASSEMBLY The highest ecclesiastical court of the Presbyterian Church.

MODERATOR A Presbyterian minister or layman elected to preside over an

ecclesiastical body.

PRESBYTERY An ecclesiastical court above the Kirk Session and below the

General Assembly, consisting of all the ministers and one or two

elders from each parish within a given area.

QUARTERLY MEETING An administrative meeting of officials within a circuit of

the Methodist Church.

SESSION Kirk Session. Lowest court in a Presbyterian Church, composed of

the minister and elders of a parish.

SYNOD An assembly of the clergy (and sometimes laity) of a particular

church within a nation, province, district, diocese etc. convened to

discuss and decide church affairs.


BIBLIOGRAPHY

Books

Brockelbank, Charles, comp. Old Kaiapoi : a collection of memoirs. Rangiora: North

Canterbury Gazette, 1941.

Dickson, John. History of The Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. Dunedin: J.

Wilkie & Co, 1899.

Gray, Gavin M. By dint of hard labour volume one : from heather to hope : a short

history of one Gray family. Kaiapoi: The author, 2001.

Hawkins, D. N. Beyond the Waimakariri : a regional history.

Christchurch: Whitcombe and Tombs, 1957.

Matheson, Peter, and others. Presbyterians in Aotearoa 1840-1 990. Edited by Dennis

McEldowney. Wellington:

The Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, 1990.

Riseley, B. H. Kaiapoi Methodist Church Centennial 1856-1956:

brief record and historical survey of 100 years of work, witness and worship

at Kaiapoi and District. Kaiapoi: The Parish, 1956.

Wood, Pauline. Women of the Waimakakiriri. Rangiora:

Waimakariri District WomenIs Suffrage Centennial

Committee, 1993.

Parish publications

Kaiapoi Co-operating Parish (Methodist-Presbyterian) - Annual Reports

St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church - Parish Magazines and Annual Reports.

Minutes

Kaiapoi Methodist Church - Quarterly Meetings, 1868-1 890, 1908-1 927,

1928-1977.

St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Kaiapoi - Kirk Session Minutes 1879-1894, 1914-

1956, 1956-1972, 1972-1978.

Kaiapoi Co-operating Parish - Parish Council Minutes.

Newspapers

Kaiapoi Record, The Lyttelton Times, The North Canterbury Gazette, The Press,

Crosslink, Touchstone

Websites


Register of New Zealand Presbyterian Ministers, Deaconesses and Missionaries

http://www.archives.presbyterian.org.nz/archivesframe. html (May 2003)

Author’s Note 2017

The Parsonage

It was damaged in the Sept 4 2010 earthquake, but only on the side next to the school

where a number of cracks had appeared. With all the aftershocks and the Feb 22 2011

Christchurch shake it was decided to move the minister's office on the left side to the

church office on the right hand side. The office was moved to the parsonage lounge.

But after another bad shock in Dec/Jan 2012 some building inspectors, after their

Christmas holidays, were sent by the Methodist Church (who own the buildings and

land) to inspect our buildings - the church was OK but had some repairs, but we were

not allowed in the Parsonage to collect the minister's and office stuff, computers etc.

After much protest a number of us gathered the next day, and clad in hi-viz vests and

hard hats we had one hour to get everything out under the supervision of the inspector.

After much hassle between the Methodist Insurance, Heritage NZ, (both the church

and Parsonage are/were listed as Cat II heritage buildings, the Waimakariri District

Council, we gained resource consent to demolish.

We are now in the process of building a new Parsonage. Part of our Resource Consent

is that we have to include the Rose Window and some stained glass that was in the

hallway, and having a large board erected near the front of the section with a history

of the Parsonage. A local signwriter has created a great board including pictures.

Hopefully all will be done by the end of 2017.

Jean D Turvey

May 2017

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