St Mary the Virgin Church

• 1847
• Justice Chapman donated a four acre block to the Anglican Church. Parish met in a small building near Chapman’s house
• 1852
• Services held at ‘Chesney Wold’ (private house)
• 1866
• Chapel built on church hill from local timber
• 1911
• Building constructed (00047:14:610)
• 1926 - 1927
• Church additions (00056:20:B1897)
• 1965
• Church additions (00058:437:C18722)
• 2006
• Church additions and alterations (00078:1875:139198)
• 1923
• Church hall constructed (00055:11:A1146)
• 1927
• Additions to church hall (00056:42:B4055)
• 1980
• Alterations and strengthen hall (00058:1269:C53814)

Not assessed

Not assessed

The architecture of St. Mary’s Church is a distinctive Italianate style, characterised by the tall square tower, the long, low-pitched gable roof, deep overhanging eaves and gables, and small round-headed window openings in groups of twos and threes. The eaves and gables are lined with tongue and groove boarding, with purlins exposed, and their great depth emphasised by timber props up from the wall buttresses.

The building is an important work of the architect, Frederick de Jersey Clere, stylistically different from any other major church he built. Gothic was the style Clere generally chose for churches, best exemplified by his design for St Mary of the Angels in Boulcott Street. Additions to the building by Clere in 1926, and Porter and Martin in 1965, both extending the building at the west end, have been carefully designed to integrate with the original design. There is a cemetery with old graves and trees on its northern side.

The main structural material is concrete, finished on the outside in a heavily textured stucco plaster, painted white; the roof is now sheathed in concrete tiles. Inside, the church has a wide, expansive feel, and a warm richness imparted by the jarrah timber roof framing and sarking.

The high open campanile (bell tower) of St Mary’s makes it the most prominent building in Karori. It stands on top of a distinct rise beside Karori Road and is visible to traffic travelling in both directions as well as from many other parts of the suburb.

• Architectural

  Does the item have architectural or artistic value for characteristics that may include its design, style, era, form, scale, materials, colour, texture, patina of age, quality of space, craftsmanship, smells, and sounds?

  St Mary the Virgin is an important example of the work of Wellington’s leading ecclesiastic architect, Frederick de Jersey Clere. The building has particular aesthetic value for the architectural quality of the Italianate design, the grace of the interior space, and the high level of craftsmanship displayed in its construction. The use of an Italianate design style is unusual for this architect.

• Townscape

  Does the item have townscape value for the part it plays in defining a space or street; providing visual interest; its role as a landmark; or the contribution it makes to the character and sense of place of Wellington?

  It is a significant landmark in the suburb, located prominently on Karori Road and visible from much of the surrounding area.

• Association

  Is the item associated with an important person, group, or organisation?

  St Mary’s Anglican Church has historic value as it has been a place of worship since early immigrants settled in Karori in the 1840s. Several buildings on this site have served Karori’s Anglican community since 1866, while the present building has served the suburb for over 100 years.

• Archaeological

  Does the item have archaeological value for its ability to provide scientific information about past human activity?

  Risk unknown

• Identity Sense Of Place Continuity

  Is the item a focus of community, regional, or national identity? Does the item contribute to sense of place or continuity?

  The church has had few intrusive, modern, alterations over the past 100+ years and contributes to the sense of place and continuity of suburban Karori.

• Sentiment Connection

  Is the item a focus of community sentiment and connection?

  The church has been a place of worship for over 100 years and has been a focus for community and social events for Karori. It continues to be associated with the key events in the lives of members of its congregation including their christenings, marriages, and funeral services.

• Symbolic Commemorative Traditional Spiritual

  Does the item have symbolic, commemorative, traditional, spiritual or other cultural value for the community who has used and continues to use it?

  The building continues to have spiritual significance to the religious community as it has served as a place of worship for over 100 years.

• Authentic

  Does the item have authenticity or integrity because it retains significant fabric from the time of its construction or from later periods when important additions or modifications were carried out?

  Several additions to St Mary’s have been carefully designed to ensure the integrity of the original design, and the main body of the church as a result remains in authentic condition.

• Local Regional National International

  Is the item important for any of the above characteristics at a local, regional, national, or international level?

  The church has local significance

Not assessed

• Boddy G. 1996, Katherine Mansfield – A ‘Do You Remember’ Life, VUW Press, Wellington p.16, 103
• Clere, Frederick de Jersey. “170 Karori Road, erect church”, May 5, 1911, 00047:14:610, Wellington City Archives
• Fearnley C. 1977, Early Wellington Churches, Millwood Press, Wellington.
• Historic Places Trust, “Fredrick de Jersey Clere”, Professional Biographies, accessed January 29, 2013,
• Jancic, Boris. ‘St Mary’s faces earthquake issues’ Dominion Post 24 October 2013
• Ward L.E. 1928, Early Wellington, Whitcombe and Tombs, Wellington.
• Wellington City Council, “168-170 Karori Road,” Wellington Heritage Building Inventory 2001: Non-Residential Buildings. (Wellington City Council, 2001), KARO1.

• Inventory Report
• 1911 specifications and plans

Not available