All Saints’ Church

Moxham Ave and Kupe Street

90 Hamilton Road, Hataitai, Wellington
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Image: Charles Collins, 2015
Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 2015
Cityview GIS 2013
Cityview GIS 2013
1910 94 Hamilton Road, rebuild church (WCC Archives reference 00043:45:2236)

1910 - 94 Hamilton Road, rebuild church (WCC Archives reference 00043:45:2236)

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  • Constructed

    1926

  • Architect(s)

    Clere and Clere

  • Builder(s)

    Frederick de Jersey Clere

  • All Saints’ Church, Hataitai is a good representative example of an interwar Gothic church.  The building is notable for the elegance of its overall design, for its use of ‘permanent’ building materials – brickwork, slate roofs and concrete gutters, for its stained glass window, and for its fine interior spaces – including the fixtures and fittings. 

    This building has local social and historical significance for the Anglican and Methodist community and parishioners of Hataitai. It is associated with the development of Hataitai as a suburb, the expansion of which prompted the construction of a larger permanent church building. It is also associated with the prominent architect Frederick de Jersey Clere, who was the Diocesan Architect and designed a number of suburban churches.  

    Many of the church fittings (and furniture) were donated/ dedicated in memory of clergy, parishioners and local people. The building also has significant spiritual cultural value for the church communities that use the building. 


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  • close History

    • All Saints Church stands at the corner of Moxham Avenue, Kupe Street, and Hamilton Road. Farmer James Coutts Crawford, who owned much of the land east of Mt Victoria in the 19th century, donated a parcel of land to the church in 1878. The first church was built on this site in 1894. It was a small timber building that cost just over £185 to construct, and was known as the ‘Kilbirnie Church Room’. Services were usually held in the evening, and the room was lit by kerosene lamps. In 1904 the building was enlarged, and in 1907 a seven room vicarage designed by Frederick de Jersey Clere was built behind the church. At this date the Bishop sanctioned the new name of ‘All Saints’.

      In 1906, the Wellington City Corporation paid the church £480 for some of its land to be used for the construction of the new tram track. This tram track was eventually extended to form a road (now Kupe Street) in time for the Centennial exhibition in 1939-1940. With the extension of the trams came increased settlement in Hataitai and Kilbirnie, and the congregation of the small church grew. By 1910 the Vestry decided that a larger permanent church was needed. Planning and fundraising started for a new brick church, and after much discussion it was decided to remove the church hall and build the new church on that site. The wooden building (known as the church hall) was demolished, rebuilt, and enlarged in 1910-11 to a design by William Fielding. This work absorbed much of the building fund and as a result, and with the intervention of the First World War, fundraising for the new church took a considerable time. It was another 14 years before Diocesan architect Frederick de Jersey Clere was asked to prepare plans for the new church. Finally in 1927, with most of the necessary money raised, approval was given to the contractor - W. Husband of Berhampore - to build the church, and the contract price was £6,679.

      The foundation stone for the church was laid by Governor General Sir Charles Fergusson on the 5th November 1927. The void in the stone concealed a ‘time capsule’ prepared by parishioner and local resident, H.A. Huggins, in a sealed copper urn which contained photos, newspapers, church newsletters, plans of the new church, and silver coins. Ten months later the church was opened, on the 14 September 1928, by the Bishop of Wellington T.H. Sprott. The building was consecrated on 11 November that year. The church had opened with many furnishings donated by the parishioners, including 30 pews, font, communion rail and table, carpet, cross, and candle sticks. At this time the old wooden church and additions became used as the church hall.

      In 1931 the church purchased a new reed organ from the Nelson Cathedral, but this was sold in 1938 to Hutt Methodist Church when All Saints has purchased a Wurlitzer organ from the Paramount Theatre. The theatre organ, perhaps made redundant by the advent of talking pictures, could play 24 different sounds including many theatrical-style sound-effects. Many of the more unusual sound effects were removed in the 1970s and the Wurlitzer organ was later sold to a local resident who intended to restore it.

      The Wurlitzer was replaced in 1977 with a Hele organ from the Hataitai Methodist Church. This was as a result of the amalgamation of the two church congregations in 1977. Common church services and events had been organised from the late 1960s and, following protracted talks, it was decided to merge the churches into a co-operating parish. Since this time the church congregation has continued to grow - as has demand for use of the old church hall. The hall (the original church) has since been demolished and the new All Saints centre is currently (2013) under construction.

    • Modifications close
      • 1907
      • 90 Hamilton Road, Vicarage (00043:19:1167)
      • 1910
      • 90 Hamilton Road, shed (00043:40:2050)
      • 1910
      • 90 Hamilton Road, rebuild church (00043:45:2236)
      • 1910
      • 90 Hamilton Road, move and alter room (00043:45:2250)
      • unknown - 1911
      • 90 Hamilton Road, additions to boys' clubroom (00043:51:2546)
      • 1927
      • 90 Hamilton Road, church (00056:41:B3993)
      • 1935
      • 90 Hamilton Road, add one room (00056:164:B14571)
      • 1938
      • 90 Hamilton Road, garage (00056:210:B18144)
      • 1948
      • 90 Hamilton Road, dwelling alterations (00056:350:B26958)
      • 1961
      • 90 Hamilton Road, dwelling (00058:192:C8837)
      • 1963
      • 90 Hamilton Road, out building additions – classroom (00058:297:C13015)
      • 1964
      • 90 Hamilton Road, garage (00058:362:C15549)
    • Occupation History close
      • 1926
      • All Saints Anglican and Methodist Church
  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close

      The All Saints’ Church is essentially Gothic in inspiration. The plan follows a traditional layout of nave (five bays long) with aisles on both sides, transepts, and chancel at the east with an apsidal end. It has a tall square tower with pinnacles marking the entrance at the west end, and tall narrow lancet windows with Gothic pointed heads. The main structural material is red brick, detailed on the outside in a severely simple manner. There are few decorative features or finishes but the disposition of the parts of the building, the pattern of the door and window openings, and the colour and texture of the brickwork, which overall gives the church an elegant and dignified quality. Materials appear to have been selected for their permanence – like the slate roof and cast concrete gutters. Shingles clad the exterior of the clerestory walls, possibly a concession to earthquakes in reducing the weight of the high walls.

      The brickwork continues in the interior where it has been left exposed. The raw brickwork contrasts with the colour and texture of a fine open timbered roof structure and a number of wrought details and finishes such as the door latches, which show an Arts and Crafts influence. The stained glass windows provide a richness which is emphasised by the plainness of the walls.

      The church is very similar to early designs of All Saints, Ngaio, a small Anglican parish church that was also designed by Clere. Clere noted that the design was based on a small brick South Down’s Church from Sussex in England - and this is a likely influence for both the Ngaio and Hataitai churches. The choice of an English Gothic style for a New Zealand Church was part of a deliberate attempt to transform the physical (and spiritual) landscape of New Zealand into something that was recognizably English, and F de Jersey Clere was one of a number of English architects who ‘helped impose English building conventions and design influences upon the New Zealand town and cityscape.’

    • Materials close

      Brick

      Concrete

      Timber roof structure

      Slate roof

      Stained glass windows

    • Setting close

      The All Saints’ church occupies a physically prominent site, above the well used Moxham Avenue. It is removed from the commercial centre of Hataitai and the Hataitai Shopping Centre Heritage Area, and is surrounded by domestic buildings in timber. The church grounds have steps and brick walls that lead up from Moxham Avenue, which complement the main building, and a number of mature Pohutakawa trees which soften the uncompromising form of the church building.

  • close Cultural Value

    All Saints’ Church, Hataitai is a good representative example of an interwar Gothic church. The building is notable for the elegance of its overall design, for its use of ‘permanent’ building materials – brickwork, slate roofs and concrete gutters, for its stained glass window, and for its fine interior spaces – including the fixtures and fittings.

    This building has local social and historical significance for the Anglican and Methodist community and parishioners of Hataitai. It is associated with the development of Hataitai as a suburb, the expansion of which prompted the construction of a larger permanent church building. It is also associated with the prominent architect Frederick de Jersey Clere, who was the Diocesan Architect and designed a number of suburban churches.

    Many of the church fittings (and furniture) were donated/ dedicated in memory of clergy, parishioners and local people. The building also has significant spiritual cultural value for the church communities that use the building.

    • Aesthetic Value close

      • 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?

        All Saints’ Church, Hataitai is a good representative example of an interwar Gothic church. The building is notable for the elegance of its overall design, for its use of ‘permanent’ building materials – brickwork, slate roofs and concrete gutters, for tis stained glass window, and for its fine interior spaces – including the fixtures and fittings.

      • Group

        Is the item part of a group of buildings, structures, or sites that taken together have coherence because of their age, history, style, scale, materials, or use?

        This building is a part of a group of ecclesiastical buildings designed by architect Frederick de Jersey Clere in Wellington and shares a notable similarity with All Saints’ Ngaio.

      • 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?

        This building has landmark status and it sited in a prominent position in Hataitai where it is surrounded by smaller domestic buildings.

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

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

        This building has local social and historical significance for the Anglican and Methodist community and parishioners of Hataitai. It is associated with the development of Hataitai as a suburb, the expansion of which prompted the construction of a larger permanent church building. It is also associated with the prominent architect Frederick de Jersey Clere, who was the Diocesan Architect and designed a number of suburban churches.

    • Scientific Value close

      • Archaeological

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

        Archaeological risk is unknown, but the likelihood of accidental discovery is high as this site has had a building on it prior to 1900. It is also in an area known to have been occupied by Maori prior to European contact.

      • Technological

        Does the item have technological value for its innovative or important construction methods or use of materials?

        This building has technical value for the high quality and careful use of materials.

    • Social Value close

      • 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 building is based on a traditional Gothic church from rural England and the style was chosen as part of the movement to ‘Anglicise’ the physical and spiritual landscape of New Zealand in the 19th and early 20th Century. It illustrates a desire for the continued connection to the European cultural heritage of the settler community – something that has different cultural connotations for many New Zealanders today.

      • Public Esteem

        Is the item held in high public esteem?

        This building is held in high public esteem both as a local landmark and for the church communities which it has served since its construction.

      • Sentiment Connection

        Is the item a focus of community sentiment and connection?

        The building is a place of worship and has been associated with the key events in the life of members of the congregation including the births, marriages, deaths of individuals, their friends and their family. The church was also the focus of community and social events for the congregation.

      • 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?

        Many of the church fittings (and furniture) were donated/ dedicated in memory of clergy, parishioners and local people. The building also has significant spiritual cultural value for the church communities that use the building.

    • Level of Cultural Heritage Significance close

      • 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?

        This building has authenticity and integrity because it retains significant fabric from the time of its construction; there have been few obvious modifications that have affected the building.

      • Local Regional National International

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

        This is a locally significant building for its historical connection to the site, to the Hataitai community, its contribution to the streetscape, as a representative of Frederic de Jersey Clere’s work in the Gothic style, and for its authenticity.

      • Representative

        Is the item a good example of the class it represents?

        The building is a good representative example of an early 20th Century Church and a good representative of Frederick de Jersey Clere’s ecclesiastical work.

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      6/ 220

    • Legal Description

      Lot 1 DP 22466

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      2/ 1331

    • Archaeological Site

      Risk unknown, pre 1900 human activity on site

    • Current Uses

      unknown

    • Former Uses

      unknown

    • Has building been funded

      No

    • Funding Amount

      Not applicable

    • Earthquake Prone Status

      Not Earthquake Prone

  • close Additional Information

Last updated: 11/6/2017 3:55:16 AM