St Johns
A part of our history
St Johns Church is located at 130 Edward Street in Wakefield. It is the oldest church in the South Island of New Zealand and the oldest church in New Zealand in continuous use.
Outstanding historical significance
The church holds a Category 1 Rating with Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. This determines the church building to be of “outstanding historical significance.”
The church was designed by New Zealand’s first woman architect, Marianne Reay, and was built in 1846 by the early settlers.
Locally felled and milled totara trees and kahikatea were used for the construction.
As the timber was drying, a cat with muddy paws walked across the planks leaving a trail behind. You can see these cat prints on an area of the ceiling inside the church!
Origins
175 years
St Johns recently celebrated its 175th anniversary with a re-enactment walk, led by Bishop Steve Maina.
The first church service was held on October 11 1846 with Rev Charles Reay officiating. Reverend Reay had to ride his horse from Nelson across rivers and plains to reach Wakefield. The church was located on a hill so that it was clearly visible across the Waimea Plains. In early years a lantern was left burning in the church to guide travelers home – an early GPS.
The churchyard and private cemetery contain graves of early Wakefield settlers and many registered notable trees.
First service
