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The Second Catholic Church, Leeston
Description
NameThe Second Catholic Church, Leeston
Alternative NameSt John's Catholic Church, LeestonDescriptionFather Chervier, encouraged by parishioners, started planning for a new catholic church in Leeston by November 1892 and by December it had been decided to build on the 7-acre site alongside the two-year-old presbytery.
The foundations were prepared and in April 1893 the foundation stone was laid by Bishop Grimes with about 500 people attending.
About 200 nicely-dressed school children and the Hibernian Society members with their green sashes formed a procession to a highly decorated dais where Mr W. J. Holley read an address, the bishop spoke and a choir under Miss Holley as organist provided the music.
Mr Maurice de H. Duval, the architect, presented the bishop with a silver trowel.
The church was dedicated in honour of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.
Construction was complete by the end of 1893.
A 3m balancing bar with a heavy weight attached to the end was hung from the ornamental iron cross and vane, to reduce earthquake damage. Inside woodwork was considered to be magnificent.
The church was opened in April 1894 by Bishop Grimes on a wintery day which did not deter a large crowd attending.
While there has been very little change (until the earthquake) to the outside of the building, the most noticeable internal change was a re-arrangement of the seating to form a centre aisle, removal of the communion rail and movement of the altar so that the priest now faces the congregation.
The centennial was celebrated in May 1993, when Bishop J Cunneen presided at Mass. This was followed by an official welcome and tree planting and afternoon tea. In the evening a dance was held in the Leeston Rugby Stadium.
Alternative NameSt John's Catholic Church, LeestonDescriptionFather Chervier, encouraged by parishioners, started planning for a new catholic church in Leeston by November 1892 and by December it had been decided to build on the 7-acre site alongside the two-year-old presbytery. The foundations were prepared and in April 1893 the foundation stone was laid by Bishop Grimes with about 500 people attending.
About 200 nicely-dressed school children and the Hibernian Society members with their green sashes formed a procession to a highly decorated dais where Mr W. J. Holley read an address, the bishop spoke and a choir under Miss Holley as organist provided the music.
Mr Maurice de H. Duval, the architect, presented the bishop with a silver trowel.
The church was dedicated in honour of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.
Construction was complete by the end of 1893.
A 3m balancing bar with a heavy weight attached to the end was hung from the ornamental iron cross and vane, to reduce earthquake damage. Inside woodwork was considered to be magnificent.
The church was opened in April 1894 by Bishop Grimes on a wintery day which did not deter a large crowd attending.
While there has been very little change (until the earthquake) to the outside of the building, the most noticeable internal change was a re-arrangement of the seating to form a centre aisle, removal of the communion rail and movement of the altar so that the priest now faces the congregation.
The centennial was celebrated in May 1993, when Bishop J Cunneen presided at Mass. This was followed by an official welcome and tree planting and afternoon tea. In the evening a dance was held in the Leeston Rugby Stadium.
Courtesy of Ellesmere Camera Club-141. Ellesmere Historical Society.
Connections
CollectionCatholicOrganisationEllesmere Historical Society
OrganisationEllesmere Historical SocietyThe Second Catholic Church, Leeston. Selwyn Stories, accessed 15/06/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/6309