St Paul’s Methodist Church

‘The moral tone of Waimate in the early days as a sawmilling township was not good and temptation to moral laxity and religious neglect was strong.’

One of the first public buildings in Waimate was a small Wesleyan Methodist chapel erected on Queen Street in 1865. Interdenominational in use, this humble wooden building became the place of worship for Presbyterians and Anglicans as well, until the construction of their own parish churches a few years later. Not to be outdone, a new Methodist Church, St Paul’s, was consecrated in 1880. Six years later a fire destroyed this stone church and the wooden chapel next door. Undaunted, a third Methodist church, a solid structure of red brick and Oamaru stone facings, was built on donated land on Glasgow street in 1887/8 on land donated by John and George Manchester, eventually having space for 400 worshippers. The hall was built next door in 1928 and two wings added to the hall in 1958.

The Manchester brothers arrived in Waimate in 1863, and were quick to get involved in public affairs of the expanding settlement as the township grew to service the timber industry developing from the milling of the Waimate bush. Both brothers were accredited local preachers in Wesleyan Methodism, preaching in England before setting sail for Timaru on the Strathallan in 1859.

The Manchester’s, along with fellow business partner Samuel Goldsmith, organised the construction of the original Methodist church (1865). They became instrumental in the growth of Methodism in Waimate and continued to involve themselves in local (regional and national) ecclesiastical affairs, remaining ‘devoted servants of the church for the rest of their lives’. But they were not alone. The Manchester family was joined by other British migrants desiring to remedy the ‘moral laxity’ of settler communities by establishing a variety of denominational churches throughout the district.  

The foundation stone of St Paul’s Church was laid by the Reverend William Rowse in1887 following the decision on construction plans outlining a building of 55 feet by 36 feet with accommodation for 300 people. The opening services were conducted by Reverend W.J. Williams in June 1888. The build had cost £1100, but at the time of opening the debt remaining was £100. Church-going was the custom of the day and pew rentals were looked upon as a source of income. In fact, the demand for seats at St Paul’s became so great that ‘non-renters’ were crowded out and a new gallery was opened in 1889 to accommodate overflow. All seats in the gallery were free.

In 1914 the church was enlarged by the addition of a choir recess, and vestries for the minister. 14 years later foundation stones were laid for the long-awaited Sunday School. Two wing extensions were added to this hall in 1958.

-      John Manchester Founder of this church. First Mayor of Waimate and Ophelia his wife, 1859

-      George Manchester Founder of this church and Matilda F., his wife. 1859

-      Samuel W. and Eliza Goldsmith. Zealous of Good Works.

-      Tregonning Brothers. W.H. Collins Alpheus and Anna Hayes

-      Mrs J. Pain and family Henry Butcher, 1859 John Opie, 1866

-      George Henry Graham, Temperance Reformer

-      Wm. And H. Hunt; J. and E. Nind; H. and C. Bateman; Alfred Bitchener and other early workers; Mr and Mrs J. Martin

Stained glass memorial windows had been unveiled in 1929. In memory of church pioneers, the commemorative windows include:

St Paul’s Methodist Church, with its solid brick structure, clean lines, and no-fuss stone facings has remained a Waimate landmark for over 130 years. The design and construction exist as a record of links between architecture and purpose - representing the Methodist movement imported from England, adapted, and embedded in a new place on the other side of the world; motivated by the resolute Christian convictions of colonial settlers arriving in the Waimate district. Since the days when someone was tasked with lighting the kerosene lamps on a dark winter’s morning, hundreds of parishioners have participated in the many aspects of church life emanating from this building as they continued the mission of their church pioneers.   

In 2013 past and present members of the clergy and congregation, representing generations of family commitment, celebrated the 125th anniversary of the first service held in this church. This was a bittersweet anniversary. Parishioner numbers were declining. A seismic report had declared the buildings below recommended standards and the decision was made to sell the complex.  

The buildings are now in private ownership.

References

Halsam, Rev. J.: The First Hundred Years, Waimate Methodist Church 1863-1963, Waimate Publishing Coy Ltd, Waimate, NZ, 1963.

Waimate Methodist Church, Historical research information

http://www.methodist.org.nz/files/docs/wesley%20historical/waimate%20100.pdf)

Waimate Museum and Archives (photographs and research material)

K. Beker (photographs and research material)