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First Catholic Church, Leeston
Description
NameFirst Catholic Church, Leeston
DescriptionA meeting of those interested in building a Catholic Church in Ellesmere was held in the school-room at Leeston in July 1969.
Father Chervier, as chairman, emphasised that the site had to be most beneficial to the greatest number of the Catholics. After a discussion about the merits of several places, Chervier chose Leeston.
Messrs O'Boyle and McEvedy were to negotiate with the owners of several sections in Leeston. Others were to collect the promised subscriptions.
Seven days later, the purchase of James Carston’s 1 acre section (Lot 27) for £25 (now partially occupied by the Band Hall) gained unanimous support.
£130 was donated with £88 still uncollected.
The third meeting, August 1869, was informed that the section was being conveyed to the Bishop and that they could view Benjamin Mountfort‘s plans.
The cost of the shell without the bell turret was estimated at £150. The committee approved the 'Gothic Revival' plan for a wooden church and asked for specifications for the next meeting in 10 days.
Tenders were advertised at the end of August.
The church was opened in early December 1869 with Father Chervier taking “Thou art, Peter, and on this rock I will build my church" as his text.
A small choir from Christchurch sang and £20 was collected.
While the second church in Southbridge in 1878 relieved pressure, within less than 25 years a larger church was needed.
The first church served as a school on its original site until the convent was built and it was transported to the site of the second Leeston Church where it was refurbished.
The building served for the next 75 years as a classroom and hall before it was demolished.
DescriptionA meeting of those interested in building a Catholic Church in Ellesmere was held in the school-room at Leeston in July 1969. Father Chervier, as chairman, emphasised that the site had to be most beneficial to the greatest number of the Catholics. After a discussion about the merits of several places, Chervier chose Leeston.
Messrs O'Boyle and McEvedy were to negotiate with the owners of several sections in Leeston. Others were to collect the promised subscriptions.
Seven days later, the purchase of James Carston’s 1 acre section (Lot 27) for £25 (now partially occupied by the Band Hall) gained unanimous support.
£130 was donated with £88 still uncollected.
The third meeting, August 1869, was informed that the section was being conveyed to the Bishop and that they could view Benjamin Mountfort‘s plans.
The cost of the shell without the bell turret was estimated at £150. The committee approved the 'Gothic Revival' plan for a wooden church and asked for specifications for the next meeting in 10 days.
Tenders were advertised at the end of August.
The church was opened in early December 1869 with Father Chervier taking “Thou art, Peter, and on this rock I will build my church" as his text.
A small choir from Christchurch sang and £20 was collected.
While the second church in Southbridge in 1878 relieved pressure, within less than 25 years a larger church was needed.
The first church served as a school on its original site until the convent was built and it was transported to the site of the second Leeston Church where it was refurbished.
The building served for the next 75 years as a classroom and hall before it was demolished.
Connections
CollectionCatholicOrganisationEllesmere Historical Society
OrganisationEllesmere Historical SocietyFirst Catholic Church, Leeston. Selwyn Stories, accessed 16/05/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/6308