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Trinity Congregational Church, Christchurch
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Trinity Congregational Church, Christchurch
The Trinity Church or Trinity Congregational Church designed by Benjamin Mountfort, later called the State Trinity Centre, is a Category I heritage building listed with Heritage New Zealand. Damaged in the 2010 Canterbury earthquake and red-stickered after the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, the building was threatened with demolition like most other central city heritage buildings. In June 2012, it was announced that the building would be saved, repaired and earthquake strengthened. The building, post its church status, has housed some commercial operations, including the State Trinity Centre; 'The Octagon' (2006–2010); and later, following earthquake repairs, a business called 'The Church Brew Pub' (2023–present).
The building is located on the south-west corner of Worcester and Manchester Streets. The three buildings on the south side of the section of Worcester Street leading into Cathedral Square are all registered heritage buildings and together, they form an important setting. The neighbouring buildings are the State Insurance Building, an art deco office tower designed by Cecil Wood and registered as Category II, and the Old Government Building designed by Joseph Maddison and registered as Category I.
The Congregational church was brought to New Zealand by Barzillai Quaife. Congregationalists had their first meeting in Christchurch in 1861. Meetings were held at Bonnington's Hall until July 1864, when that property changed hands and was no longer available. A society was formed, four members raised funds (Samuel Farr, Mr Gee, James Jameson and Mr Lewis) and members bought the property on the south-west corner of the Manchester and Worcester Streets intersection for a church. Farr was chosen as the architect for the original church and the affairs were progressed by the first minister, William Habens. The original church, built in stone, was opened with a series of opening services starting on 23 November 1864.
By 1870, the church had become too small for the congregation, and there were problems with ventilation. Four architects were invited to provide designs for a new building: Farr, Benjamin Mountfort, William Armson and Robert Lawson. Although Farr was a Deacon of the Trinity Congregational Church and had designed the first church, the design of Mountfort was chosen, who was a devout Anglican. Farr's name is listed on the foundation stone as the church's Deacon.
Mountfort was given the requirement of an open preaching space, which he met by choosing an Early French rather than a High Gothic Revival style. For this reason, the church has a large gallery at the northern end, so that the minister could be seen by all attending a service. Stylistically, the church shares many design elements with Canterbury Museum, which was also Mountfort's work and which was built in stages starting in 1870.
The church began to be also used by the Pacific Islanders' Congregational Church in the 1960s, and the congregations formally merged in 1968. In 1969, the Congregational church and the Presbyterian church combined throughout New Zealand as part of a worldwide trend under the auspices of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. In Christchurch, the Trinity-Pacific Congregational Church joined with the Presbyterian congregation of St Paul's Church in Cashel Street.
Financial pressure led to the sale of Trinity Congregational Church in 1974 to State Insurance, who owned the building immediately to the west of the church. The insurance called the building the State Trinity Centre.
The renamed State Trinity Centre was used as a performing arts centre for the community. The new owners undertook significant earthquake strengthening, with the walls internally extended by adding a layer of reinforced concrete. Consent to have the tower earthquake strengthened was declined by the Historic Places Trust, as it was necessary to temporarily remove the tower's roof. The modified building opened to the public on 22 November 1975. For years, Christchurch pupils would sit their piano exams at Trinity. Ownership later changed to private individuals and the building was used as a wedding chapel for Japanese tourists who wanted to get married in Christchurch.
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Trinity Congregational Church, Christchurch
The Trinity Church or Trinity Congregational Church designed by Benjamin Mountfort, later called the State Trinity Centre, is a Category I heritage building listed with Heritage New Zealand. Damaged in the 2010 Canterbury earthquake and red-stickered after the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, the building was threatened with demolition like most other central city heritage buildings. In June 2012, it was announced that the building would be saved, repaired and earthquake strengthened. The building, post its church status, has housed some commercial operations, including the State Trinity Centre; 'The Octagon' (2006–2010); and later, following earthquake repairs, a business called 'The Church Brew Pub' (2023–present).
The building is located on the south-west corner of Worcester and Manchester Streets. The three buildings on the south side of the section of Worcester Street leading into Cathedral Square are all registered heritage buildings and together, they form an important setting. The neighbouring buildings are the State Insurance Building, an art deco office tower designed by Cecil Wood and registered as Category II, and the Old Government Building designed by Joseph Maddison and registered as Category I.
The Congregational church was brought to New Zealand by Barzillai Quaife. Congregationalists had their first meeting in Christchurch in 1861. Meetings were held at Bonnington's Hall until July 1864, when that property changed hands and was no longer available. A society was formed, four members raised funds (Samuel Farr, Mr Gee, James Jameson and Mr Lewis) and members bought the property on the south-west corner of the Manchester and Worcester Streets intersection for a church. Farr was chosen as the architect for the original church and the affairs were progressed by the first minister, William Habens. The original church, built in stone, was opened with a series of opening services starting on 23 November 1864.
By 1870, the church had become too small for the congregation, and there were problems with ventilation. Four architects were invited to provide designs for a new building: Farr, Benjamin Mountfort, William Armson and Robert Lawson. Although Farr was a Deacon of the Trinity Congregational Church and had designed the first church, the design of Mountfort was chosen, who was a devout Anglican. Farr's name is listed on the foundation stone as the church's Deacon.
Mountfort was given the requirement of an open preaching space, which he met by choosing an Early French rather than a High Gothic Revival style. For this reason, the church has a large gallery at the northern end, so that the minister could be seen by all attending a service. Stylistically, the church shares many design elements with Canterbury Museum, which was also Mountfort's work and which was built in stages starting in 1870.
The church began to be also used by the Pacific Islanders' Congregational Church in the 1960s, and the congregations formally merged in 1968. In 1969, the Congregational church and the Presbyterian church combined throughout New Zealand as part of a worldwide trend under the auspices of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. In Christchurch, the Trinity-Pacific Congregational Church joined with the Presbyterian congregation of St Paul's Church in Cashel Street.
Financial pressure led to the sale of Trinity Congregational Church in 1974 to State Insurance, who owned the building immediately to the west of the church. The insurance called the building the State Trinity Centre.
The renamed State Trinity Centre was used as a performing arts centre for the community. The new owners undertook significant earthquake strengthening, with the walls internally extended by adding a layer of reinforced concrete. Consent to have the tower earthquake strengthened was declined by the Historic Places Trust, as it was necessary to temporarily remove the tower's roof. The modified building opened to the public on 22 November 1975. For years, Christchurch pupils would sit their piano exams at Trinity. Ownership later changed to private individuals and the building was used as a wedding chapel for Japanese tourists who wanted to get married in Christchurch.
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