Draft:St Paul's, Buckland
| St Paul's Church | |
|---|---|
.jpg) St Paul's Church | |
| Location | 581-583 Buckland Road, Buckland |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | https://pukekohe-anglican.org.nz/ |
| History | |
| Founded | 23 March 1900 |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Category B with Auckland Council[1] |
| Architect(s) | John Mitchell, Robert Martin Watt |
| Architectural type | Vernacular |
| Style | New Zealand neo-Gothic |
| Years built | 1899–1900 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Anglican Diocese of Auckland |
| Parish | Parish of Pukekohe |
| Clergy | |
| Vicar(s) | Reverend Jan Wallace |
| Laity | |
| Parish administrator | Louise La Fleming |
St Paul's Church is an Anglican Church in Buckland, New Zealand.
Buckland originally had no Church and worshipers would travel to nearby Pukekohe for Church but the relocation of the Anglican Church in Pukekohe prompted Buckland residents to construct their own Church.
The Church is still in use and is considered a land for the community and a source of pride for locals.[1]
Description
[edit]St Paul's is situated on a 1,376 m2 (1.360 roods) lot. Behind the church is a small iron shed. The site has several mature trees on it.[1]
Like many Churches of the time it is split into three areas: the porch, the nave and the chancel.[1]
The proportions, bargeboards, steep roof, trefoil detailing, and fenestrations suggest Gothic inspiration[a] for the architectural design. Other design elements such as a pediment above a window and the cladding of the exterior are reminiscent of Edwardian Classicism and Selwyn styles respectively.[1]
St Paul's is a simple timber Church built with a rectangular floor plan. The Church has a steep gable roof. At the front is the spire and belfry. The belfry has trefoil fretwork and lancet (architecture) shaped openings. Tongue and groove boards are used for the gable. The porch has two wooden buttresses on each side. The sides have three windows each, with a trefoil detail over part of the tops of the windows. The interior is mostly intact with the internal timber still in good condition.[1]
History
[edit]In the 19th century Buckland lacked a Church and resident's travelled to nearby Pukekohe for worship. Anglicans would travel to St Andrew's Church in Pukekohe. In 1895 it was discussed whether St Andrew's should be moved closer to the town centre. The main opposition against the relocation was by Buckland parishioners. In December, 1897 St Andrew's was moved to it's current location on King Street. This required Anglicans from Buckland to take a longer and more uneasy terrain. During the discussions Buckland Anglicans had decided on funding their own Church. The decision to build a local Church was made by August, 4 months before the Church was relocated. Prior to the Church's construction the local schoolhouse was used for Church activites.[1]
After a site was purchased in October, 1898, the architects John Mitchell (architect) and Robert Martin Watt came up with a design and plan. Mitchell and Watt also designed several other notable buildings including: the Leys Institute. The tender for construction was given to a 'G. Revell' of Tuakau. Following the laying of the foundation stone on 13 October, 1899, enough donations were raised for a bell and belfry. On 23 March, 1900, the Church was opened with a dedication service taking place.[1]
The Buckland district was merged into the Pukekohe Parochial District in 1905. In 1911 the adjacent lot was purchased for future expansion; however, by 1936 the community had not outgrown the Church and there was a proposal to sell the land. In the end the land was retained and is used for farming and leasing.[1]
A memorial lectern and a roll of honour to congregation members who died in service during the First World War was dedicated on 12 December, 1919. Five years later, a memorial altar and reredos was dedicated on 20 July, 1924.[1]
Like many Churches of the time, during the Great Depression attendance was poor and donations were limited. Further constraining the Church budget was the focus of the parish on constructing a new Church in Pukekohe.[1]
In 1948 the spire and belfry were removed and replaced with copies as a repair and the windows had new glass installed. In 1953 an extension for a vestry and lobby was planned but never undertaken. Metal tiles were installed over the corrugated roof in c.1975.[1]
The Church struck an agreement with Buckland School in 1991: in exchange for leasing the unoccupied lot (at no cost) to the school, the school would help with maintenance of the Church.[1]
The Church has served other denominations and community groups over the years and is held in high regard by the Buckland community.[1]
References
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ During the Victorian era there was widespread belief in the Anglican Church that only Gothic architecture was appropriate for Anglican Churches. In England this usually took the form of Decorated Gothic architecture, but New Zealand lacked the materials and skilled craftsmen for this, leading to the more simplistic style of wooden Church commonly seen in New Zealand. George Augustus Selwyn was also very influential in spreading this style, especially around the nearby Auckland area[1]