Otautau Presbyterian Church
Record Group
Identifier: A0528
Dates
- Majority of material found within 1922 - 1935
Creator
- Presbyterian Church (Organization)
Otautau Presbyterian Church
During the 1860's church services for the district were held in one of Otautau's hotels. They then moved to the school on Queen Street which had opened in 1880. A minister travelled from Limestone Plains to give services. A wooden church was then erected on the corner of Queen Street and Chester Streets in the 1890's.
The first minister was Rev. MacDonald who served the Otautau Parish for 33 years. He was an extemely well-liked member of the community and the congregation grew so much in size that a new church was needed.
A new double-brick church was built on the corner of Main and Chester Sts in 1927 and in February 1928 the new Reverend, Rev. Bickerstaff, held the first service. Rev. Bickerstaff was the first local clergyman to have a Model T which enabled him to visit parishoners by car not horse.
The interior layout was altered during World War 2 and a false-ceiling erected in the 1960s/70s.
In 1972 the Presbyterian and Methodist congregations in Western Southland united to form the Union Church. The last service was held July 31st 2016 due to earthquake issues and a declining congregation. The building's chattels were sold, then the building itself.
See Bibliography for References
The first minister was Rev. MacDonald who served the Otautau Parish for 33 years. He was an extemely well-liked member of the community and the congregation grew so much in size that a new church was needed.
A new double-brick church was built on the corner of Main and Chester Sts in 1927 and in February 1928 the new Reverend, Rev. Bickerstaff, held the first service. Rev. Bickerstaff was the first local clergyman to have a Model T which enabled him to visit parishoners by car not horse.
The interior layout was altered during World War 2 and a false-ceiling erected in the 1960s/70s.
In 1972 the Presbyterian and Methodist congregations in Western Southland united to form the Union Church. The last service was held July 31st 2016 due to earthquake issues and a declining congregation. The building's chattels were sold, then the building itself.
See Bibliography for References
Extent
2 box(es) (Boxes 1-2)
Language of Materials
English
Bibliography
'Yesteryear Property – Former Otautau Presbyterian Church', Southland Express, 18th August 2017.
'Trial by fire, trial by water : history of Otautau' by Ken Bye.
Reference: LC 993.96 BYE
'Trial by fire, trial by water : history of Otautau' by Ken Bye.
Reference: LC 993.96 BYE
Creator
- Presbyterian Church (Organization)
- Title
- Otautau Presbyterian Church
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Invercargill City Libraries and Archives Repository
