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Our Community Life

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Sir John Hall

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Religion and Churches

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NameReligion and ChurchesDescriptionThe prominence of churches in our district attests to the historical importance of the Christian religion. In this collection, you can see churches that represent the denominations of Anglican, Catholic, Methodist, and Presbyterian.

We also have more religious diversity in the area and throughout New Zealand. Recent immigrants have given other religions a stronger foothold. By 2010 there were over 50,000 Hindus and Buddhists in New Zealand, and over 35,000 Muslims. Communities of practising Jews have been present since the 19th century, when synagogues were built in most cities and major towns.

The funds for building our early churches were often raised by a dedicated congregation. The Hone Wetere Church was built on the site of Te Rauhikihiki's pā at Taumutu and was opened April 1885. The Hon. H. K. Taiaroa, Ngāi Tahu chief, Legislative Councillor and Member of Parliament was also the chief fundraiser for the church.

The funds for the St John’s Anglican stone church at Hororata were bequested by former New Zealand Premier (Prime Minister) Sir John Hall as a memorial for his late wife, Lady Rose. The foundation stone was laid in 1910, and the building consecrated the following year. Hall was an early advocate of the ecumenical movement, or interdenominational cooperation between different Christian churches. St Johns remains an interdenominational church to this day. The property is held in trust by the Church Property Trustees (CPT).

Many of the churches in our district were badly damaged by the earthquakes of September 2010 and February 2011, including St John’s Anglican stone church at Hororata. Generations of volunteers have given their time to this historic church and restoring it remains a priority for many locals.

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St Pauls Church, West Melton

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Religion and Churches