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St John the Evangelist, Leeston
St John the Evangelist, Leeston
Address:
68 High Street
Leeston
CANTERBURY 7632
Leeston, the principal town in the Ellesmere district, had it’s beginnings in the early days of settlement and was named by Frederick James Smith who purchased property there in 1854, after his birth place in Somerset, England.
A meeting was held in the schoolroom at Leeston in July 1870 to discuss the building of a church. As a result a subscription list was at once opened to raise the funds.
Samuel Farr was chosen to be the architect for the Church of St John the Evangelist. For two hundred and eighty-seven pounds, the church was complete on a one acre section in the Leeston main street. Samuel Farr’s style was not unlike that of Benjamin Mountfort.
The lectern, prayer desk, altar and communion rails of kauri with gothic ornamentation may also have been Farr’s design.
St John’s was consecrated in December 1873 by Bishop Harper.
St Luke’s, Brookside
St Luke’s, Brookside
Address:
73 Brookside And Burnham Rd
Brookside
LEESTON 7682
The Anglican Church was established here in 1870 and in 1880 St Luke’s was built on Anglican church property.
Benjamin Mountfort designed this country church which cost three hundred and sixty-six pounds seventeen shillings and seven pence.
The next year, 1881, the cemetery was begun.
A harmonium purchased in 1882 for twenty-five pounds, and the church bell purchased two years later for twelve pounds, were added to the church chattels, all of which , together with the church itself, were consecrated in 1895.
Brookside Methodist Church closed in 1972 and joined the Anglicans and Presbyterians at St Luke’s establishing a combined congregation worshiping together in this community church.
Trinity Church, Dunsandel
Trinity Church, Dunsandel
Address:
25 Hororata Dunsandel Rd
DUNSANDEL 7682
Incorporating the previous community of St Thomas Dunsandel.
Trinity Dunsandel is a Community Church with services each Sunday. The third Sunday every month is an Anglican led communion service, and on the fourth Sunday Café Church is held. There is an active Boy’s Brigade group meeting weekly during term time. There is an annual community carol evening in December. Dunsandel Women’s Fellowship meets monthly.
St Mary's, Irwell
St Mary's, Irwell
Address:
628 Selwyn Lake Road (cnr Leeston and Selwyn Lake Rds)
Irwell
LEESTON 7683
St Mary’s was the seventh Anglican Church built in the district. A meeting of Vestries held in Leeston in April 1895, recorded that shortly a church would be built at Irwell and that any deficiency in the cost to build the same would be made up by George Rhodes of Meadowbank.
The Church Property Trustees accepted a site offered by Mr Rhodes. J J Collins, of Collins and Harman Architects, who had designed the Meadowbank residence, drew up plans for the church.
Building contracts were strict in those days. William Bennett, the builder, had to have the church completed before September 10 1895, otherwise pay a penalty of five pounds per week for every week not finished. Needless to say, the church was finished well on time!
Bishop Julius consecrated St Mary’s in November 1895 at a ceremony where the church became so crowded that many persons were unable to gain admittance.
St Mark’s, Sedgemere
St Mark’s, Sedgemere
Address:
453 Leeston-Taumutu Rd
Sedgemere
CHRISTCHURCH 7682
The church Property Trustees paid P H Hill of Sedgemere, then known as Lakeside, ten shillings for a section of his farm on which St Marks was built.
Deigned by Benjamin Mountfort, the church was consecrated in May 1882 at a ceremony conducted by Bishop Harper. Three quarters of an acre of adjoining land was also consecrated as a burial ground.
Three days later the first service was taken by Mr Hill, a layreader. His was the guiding hand behind the establishment of St Mark’s Church. The centennial thanksgiving service was celebrated in May 1982, Reverend Carole Graham’s last service at Sedgemere.
Bishop Pyatt unveilled the centennial stone.
St James’ Southbridge
St James’ Southbridge
Address:
80 High Street (Cnr High & Hastings Streets)
Southbridge
CANTERBURY 7602
St James’ was the first church of the parish. The first church of St James, a wooden building, was erected on 20 acres of land donated by Mr C.J. Bridge. The church yard had burials even before the building was begun. The church was opened on January 20th, 1865 and consecrated on March 9th, 1865. The church was much admired but sadly was destroyed by fire on January 31st, 1934. Parishioners wasted no time or effort in ensuring that a new church was erected. On August 20th the new brick building was consecrated free of debt, for a cost of some 4400 pounds. The furnishings were given by parishioners and other friends. In 1966 a new hall was built as a centennial project. The church contains several beautiful stained glass windows. In 1978 the church made history by being the first church in Australasia to have a woman Vicar, Reverend Carole Graham. The processional cross was created in honour of her appointment.
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