Holy Trinity Anglican Church (Winton)

Record Group

Identifier: A0572

Staff Only

Dates

Majority of material found within 1875 - 1999

Creator

Church of England (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

No inherited restrictions on public access for items from the Hocken Library.

Holy Trinity Anglican Church

Designed by well-known local architect Frederick William Burwell, Holy Trinity was built by contractor Colin McKay with local timber supplied by Mr. Francis Jack of Gap Road. Before the church was built services were held in either the Courthouse or Oddfellows' Hall. The wooden church has the capacity for 150 seated people and remains largely unchanged apart from some minor additions, removal of the bell tower (due to it rattling in the wind) and the replacement of the shingle roof with galvanized iron.

The church is the only one of its age, in Southland, still on its original site and in its present setting. It is listed as a Category 2 building on the Historic Places Trust Register due to it being a fine example of the Gothic Revival style, its importance to the Anglican community and the growth of early Winton, and its landmark situation on the main road where it has survived several town fires.

The church was opened by Reverend W. P. Tanner on 8 October 1876. Two children, Mary Ann Saint Cidwell Keen and William Mathew Norman, were baptised during the first service. It took a long period of fundraising by the Church Committee to clear the debt of the cost of the building and in 1884 some land to the south of the building had to be sold. In 1899 Rev. M. W. Butterfield serviced both the Riverton and Winton parishes and used to bike between them.

Painting and the installation of new windows occurred in the 1930's, a church hall was built in the 1950s, and the church held its centenary celebrations in 1976. The 1980's saw the launch of funding for restoration, which included a new covered walkway. In 1982 the Church building was given a National Design Award by N.Z.Institute of Architects (Southland Times 27/4/1982). It was saved from demolition by architect Mr. John McCulloch, and a group of local residents. In 2003 the lych-gate and organ from the closed St Alban's at Limehills came to Winton.

The church is still in use in the community as of 2019 with the Rev Trish Ducker.

- Notes by E. M. Easton -

See Bibliography for References

Extent

4 box(es) (Boxes 1 - 4)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Other Finding Aids

Previously known references at the Hocken Library: ARC-0381; 85-063; 00-176; 98-099; 88-046; MS-2358; MS-2363; MS-2364; MS-2365; MS-2371; r.3836; 10-020; MS-3371

Bibliography

Heritage New Zealand - Holy Trinity Church (Anglican), List Number 2565 http://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/2565 (accessed 7 February 2019)
'Holy Trinity Anglican Church Winton, 1876 -' by C.D. Kerr.
Reference: LC 726.5 HOL

p12: Clergy - Names and length of service.
p13: Vicarages - Mr Harbour (1937-43) first lived in a hut but, on marriage, in a small house in Prince St. Later there was a Vicarage in Mary St, then in Meldrum St.
p13: Highlights of Church life - Bishop's Visit, Harvest Festival, Annual Bazaar, Sunday School Picnic at Shaw's place at Lady Barkly.
p14: Organists - Mr Clinch, who resigned as organist and choir master in 1876; Miss Lee; Mrs Bessie Woods; Mrs Toswill; Mrs J.R.Hamilton; Mrs Skelt; Mrs McArthur and Mrs Harbour.
p.14: Service - many have served the Church devotedly. Of note, Mr. G.Pearce, who in 1901, walked from Gap Road to ring the Church Bells and to light candles. He had to return in the evening to extinguish the candles, so did so twice daily! Bells were rung for many other occasions eg. weddings. For his duties Mr Pearce was paid 2 pounds ($4.00) per annum.