Holy Trinity Church Historic Place Report - Kete New...

New Zealand Historic Places Trust Pouhere Taonga

Registration Report for a Historic Place Holy Trinity Church (Anglican), New Plymouth

Holy Trinity Church, July 2010 (B. Wagstaff, NZHPT)

Blyss Wagstaff and Karen Astwood Last amended 6 June 2012 New Zealand Historic Places Trust ©

Holy Trinity Church Historic Place Report 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3

1. IDENTIFICATION 5

1.1. Name of Place 5

1.2. Location Information 5

1.3. Current Legal Description 5

1.4. Physical Extent of Place Assessed for Registration 5

1.5. Identification Eligibility 6

1.6. Physical Eligibility as an Historic Place 6

2. SUPPORTING INFORMATION 7

2.1. Historical Description and Analysis 7

2.2. Physical Description and Analysis 16

2.3. Chattels 20

2.4. Key Physical Dates 21

2.5. Construction Professionals 21

2.6. Construction Materials 22

2.7. Former Uses 22

2.8. Current Uses 22

2.9. Discussion of Sources 22

3. SIGNIFICANCE ASSESSMENT 27

3.1. Section 23 (1) Assessment 27

3.2. Section 23 (2) Assessment 29

4. OTHER INFORMATION 32

4.1. Associated NZHPT Registrations 32

4.2. Heritage Protection Measures 32

5. APPENDICES 34

5.1. Appendix 1: Visual Identification Aids 34

5.2. Appendix 2: Visual Aids to Historical Information 38

5.3. Appendix 3: Visual Aids to Physical Information 41

5.4. Appendix 4: Significance Assessment Information 47


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Holy Trinity Church was originally opened in early 1845, and as such was the

first established Anglican church in Taranaki. When constructed it was referred

to as Te Henui Church after its location, which is now known as the eastern

New Plymouth suburb of Fitzroy.

The Taranaki region is thought to have been settled by Maori at least 700 years

ago, and archaeological evidence suggests that pa were being built in the area

as early as the fifteenth century. The area which would become the town of

New Plymouth was populated by the people of the Te Atiawa iwi. New Plymouth

was the site for New Zealand’s second European colony. In 1841 the first

colonists arrived there, and George Augustus Selwyn (1809-1878) was

appointed the Bishop of New Zealand. Selwyn visited New Plymouth in October

1842, and set about organising buildings for the fledgling parish. Sites were

chosen for Holy Trinity Church and St Mary’s Church (1846) in central New

Plymouth, as well as Te Henui Vicarage (1845). Reverend William Bolland

(1820-1847) was appointed to be the Deacon in charge of New Plymouth, and

along with architect Frederick Thatcher (1814-1890) they began the building

process, using funds from Bishop Selwyn to construct Holy Trinity Church.

This initial building was meant as a temporary structure, but because of the

Taranaki Wars of the 1860s a more permanent version was not forthcoming

until 1872, when board and battens and shingles replaced the existing rustic

cladding materials. The period of conflict was economically and socially

devastating, but the Anglican Church weathered the storm through the

leadership of Henry Govett (1819-1903), the first Archdeacon of Taranaki.

Govett fostered the parish for over 50 years, during which he was closely

associated with Holy Trinity Church.

The current building is the result of the incorporation of the original building into

various expansions. Having been altered in 1872, in 1888 the building was then

divided in two to accommodate the creation of transepts. Since then three

further significant projects have expanded the size of the building, transforming

the small and simple initial building into a modestly sized timber church. The

Gothic Revival inspired features of the building reference many other

ecclesiastical buildings that Selwyn and Thatcher created together.

Holy Trinity Church is of special historic significance for its direct association

with the establishment of the Church of England in New Zealand. The


association of the place with Bishop Selwyn who is of national historical

importance, and figures of considerable local significance, Reverend Bolland

and Archdeacon Govett, has relevance as these people shaped the Church in

the mid nineteenth century. The original building was a rare survivor of the

Taranaki Wars, an aspect which is also historically noteworthy. Holy Trinity

Church also has architectural importance because of its associations with

Frederick Thatcher and significant local architects, James Sanderson and

Francis John (Frank) Messenger.


1. IDENTIFICATION1

1.1. Name of Place

Name: Holy Trinity Church (Anglican)

Other Names: Church of England, Te Henui; Church of England, Fitzroy; Fitzroy

Anglican Church; Henui Chapel; Henui Church; Te Henui Church; Te Henui

Anglican Church; Weekestown Chapel; Weekestown Church

1.2. Location Information

Address

12 Henui Street

Fitzroy

New Plymouth

Taranaki

Additional Location Information

When travelling east along Devon Street East from central New Plymouth,

Henui Street is the road to the north at the intersection of Devon Street East,

Paynters Avenue and Henui Street. Occupying most of the land on the west

side is the section where Holy Trinity Church and other church buildings are

located.

Local Authority: New Plymouth District Council

1.3. Current Legal Description

Pt Sec 91 Fitzroy District (CT TN123/84), Taranaki Land District

1.4. Physical Extent of Place Assessed for Registration

Extent includes the land described as Pt Sec 91 Fitzroy District (CT TN123/84),

1 This section is supplemented by visual aids in Appendix 1 of the report.


Taranaki Land District and the grounds and the building known as Holy Trinity

Church thereon, and its fittings and fixtures and its following chattels: the picture

of Reverend Govett, and the needlework image of The Last Supper, the font,

credence table, clergy stalls, lectern, and altar. The extent of registration

excludes the Parish Hall, and vicarage buildings north of the church but

includes the Norfolk pine to the north of the section, said to have been planted

by Bishop Selwyn. (Refer to map in Appendix 1 of the registration report for

further information).

1.5. Identification Eligibility

There is sufficient information included in this report to identify this place.

1.6. Physical Eligibility as an Historic Place

This place consists of land and a building that is affixed to land that lies within

the territorial limits of New Zealand. This place is therefore physically eligible for

consideration as a historic place.


2. SUPPORTING INFORMATION

2.1. Historical Description and Analysis

The Taranaki region is thought to have been settled by Maori at least 700 years

ago.2 Archaeological evidence suggests that pa were being built in the area,

which surrounds Mount Taranaki, as early as the fifteenth century.3 A number of

iwi hold mana whenua in the west coast of the region, including Ngati Tama and

Ngati Mutunga, Te Atiawa and Taranaki.

The area which would become New Plymouth was initially populated by hapu of

Taranaki, and then Te Atiawa. Te Atiawa affiliate with the waka Tokomaru and

are said to descend from the semi-divine origins of ancestor Awanuiarangi,

whose people moved south from Northland to the Bay of Plenty and Taranaki.4

The tribal rohe (district) occupies coastal land from Onuku Taipari north to Te

Rau o te Huia, stretching inland for several kilometres to a promontory on the

north-east slopes of Mount Taranaki.5 Te Henui, the area following the course

of the Te Henui Stream, is recognised as an area of historic and ecological

importance.6 In the wider vicinity of the Holy Trinity Church there are the

remains of three former pa sites.7

Tribes from Waikato raided Taranaki and Whanganui in the late 18th century,

and warfare continued until the late 1830s. Also in the early 19th century, other

tribes from the north raided Taranaki, armed with muskets, and enslaved some

and took them north.8 The Ngati Toa tribe of Kawhia was also under pressure

from Waikato tribes, and they migrated to the Kapiti coast and Wellington area

around 1822–1824. On passing through the Taranaki region they were joined

by some people of the Te Atiawa, Ngati Mutunga and Ngati Tama tribes. These

upheavals and the depopulation of the area altered the balance of power.

Between 1834 and 1837 Taranaki iwi defeated Waikato iwi in three battles in

2 Walton, A. Archaeology of the Taranaki-Wanganui Region. Department of Conservation,

Wellington, 2000, p.6 3 Prickett, Nigel, Historic Taranaki: An Archaeological Guide, GP Books, Wellington, 1990, p. 5-7 4 Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, Maori Peoples of New Zealand: Nga Iwi o Aotearoa,

David Bateman/Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Wellington, 2006, pp.226-227 5 Ibid. p. 227 6 New Plymouth District Council, ‘Te Henui Walkway”,

http://www.newplymouthnz.com/VisitingNewPlymouth/Attractions/Walkways/TeHenuiWalkway.htm(Accessed 11 January 2011)

7 Pa sites recorded in the NZAA site recording scheme are P19/148: Pukewarangi, and P19/152: Wharepapa (Fort Niger); Puketarata Pa is also noted as being nearby on the Henui Stream.

8 Te Miringa Hōhaia. 'Taranaki tribe - Relationships with other tribes', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 6-Apr-10, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/taranaki-tribe/2

http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/taranaki-tribe/2


the area and finally a sacred peace known as ‘Hou-hou-rongo’ was negotiated.9

European whalers initially arrived along the Taranaki coast in the first half of the

nineteenth century, and generally integrated themselves relatively harmoniously

with the local Maori communities.10 By the early 1840s, a Ngati Te Whiti pa at

Ngamotu, called Otaka, was still populated but many other Maori strongholds in

the region had been abandoned following the major migration of the remnant Te

Atiawa population to Otaki, Wellington and Marlborough.11

Organised colonial settlement at Taranaki was first instituted by the Plymouth

Company in 1839-1840, who arranged to purchase land from the New Zealand

Company for the settlement of immigrants from Devon and Cornwall, although

this purchase would be much disputed in the future.12 The site of the township

was chosen and laid out by Chief Surveyor Frederic Carrington in February

1841, and settler ships arrived from England from March 1841 onwards.13

By this time the Plymouth Company had fallen into financial difficulties, and was

formally merged with the New Zealand Company in May 1841.14 Settler ships

continued to arrive, but disputes around the Crown’s role in transferring land out

of Maori ownership, and between tangata whenua over who had the authority to

transfer land were already evident.

The beginnings of Anglicanism in Taranaki

With the European settlers also came the advent of religion to Taranaki,

providing the familiar spiritual and cultural institutions of home to the settlers,

and missionary services to the Maori population. Wesleyan missionary teachers

had arrived in New Plymouth in 1838 to begin missionary activities for the

remnant Te Atiawa population, and the region’s first mission station proper was

established in 1841 at Ngamotu.15

9 Ibid. 10 Prickett, p. 6 11 B. Wells, The History of Taranaki, Edmonson & Avery “Taranaki News Office”, New Plymouth,

1878. Reprinted by Capper Press, Christchurch, 1976. p.11 12 Charles A. Lawn, The pioneer land surveyors of New Zealand, New Zealand Institute of

Surveyors, Wellington, 2005. Available from www.surveyors.org.nz (Accessed 2008), p. 34; Gail & Ron Lambert, An Illustrated History of Taranaki, The Dunmore Press, Palmerston North, 1983, p. 22

13 Lawn, p. 34; Lambert, pp. 22-25 14 Lawn, p. 36 15 Herbert D. Mullon, These Hundred Acres: The Story of Whiteley Township, City of New Plymouth,

H.D. Mullon, New Plymouth, 1969, p.10, p.18


Although European settlers represented a variety of religious doctrines, many

were members of the Church of England. Accordingly, once New Zealand had

been proclaimed part of the British Dominion through the signing of the Treaty

of Waitangi in 1840, the Church Missionary Society was able to expand on its

earlier work by seeking the appointment of a Bishop for New Zealand. This

would involve the setting up of the Anglican constitution in the new diocese of

New Zealand.16 This undivided diocese initially included the whole country as

well as various islands in Polynesia.17 In 1841 George Augustus Selwyn (1809-

1878) was appointed Bishop, arriving in New Zealand in 1842 to begin his

‘almost superhuman’ work.18

Bishop Selwyn visited New Plymouth in October 1842, and set about organising

the construction of churches in the parish.19 Sites were chosen for St Mary’s

Church in central New Plymouth, and Holy Trinity Church in Weekestown.

Weekestown later became known as Henui and now is called Fitzroy.20

Weekestown was about two miles from New Plymouth township and in the mid-

1840s had a population of about 80 people.21 In the late 1840s the Bishop was

recognised for having given up ‘literary leisure, elegant and refined society, the

companionship of many devoted friends, [and] the prospect of high

ecclesiastical position at home, to plant the church by the waters of the

Henui…’22

As well as the Anglican church, Henui also gained a Methodist one in late

1845.23 Indeed, the establishment of a number of ecclesiastical buildings in and

around New Plymouth by the 1850s was for some a measure of the

settlement’s improving social conditions and public security.24

Holy Trinity Church

16 ‘Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia: History’,

http://www.anglican.org.nz/About/History (Accessed 12 January 2011) 17 'The Dioceses', from An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock, originally

published in 1966, Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 23-Apr-09, URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/1966/church-of-england/1 (Accessed 12 January 2011)

18 G. H. Gavin, The Taranaki Archdeaconry: Its history and associations, 1859-1955, Taihape, 1955, p.5; W. E. Limbrick, ‘Selwyn, George Augustus’ Dictionary of New Zealand Biography , URL http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1s5/1 (Accessed 8 December 2010)

19 Cyclopedia Company Limited, ‘Ecclesiastical’, The Cyclopedia of New Zealand (Taranaki, Hawkes Bay and Provincial Districts), Cyclopedia Company Limited, Christchurch, 1908, p. 71, available from www.nzetc.org.tm (Accessed 10 December 2010)

20 St Mary’s Church, Category I historic place (Register no. 148); Gavin, p.33. Weekestown is also sometimes spelt ‘Weekston.’

21 Gavin, p.32 22 ‘The New Constitution,’ New Zealand Spectator and Cook’s Strait Guardian, 27 October 1849, p.4

http://www.anglican.org.nz/About/History

http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/1966/church-of-england/1


The building is thought to have been opened in either March or May 1845 by

Reverend William Bolland (1820-1847).25 The Holy Trinity Church is the ‘oldest

edifice erected for [Anglican] Divine service in Taranaki.’26 This original

construction date places it among the oldest remaining churches, or remnants

of churches, in New Zealand.27 Four other known examples of 1840s churches

remain, three of them Anglican. New Plymouth’s St Mary's Church (Anglican)

(Register no. 148) is a Thatcher design in stone that has been enlarged and

modified. The timber Old All Saints Church (Anglican) & Churchyard (Register

no. 11) in Auckland was built in 1847 and extended in the 1860s. Like the Holy

Trinity Church, All Saints was constructed on a site selected by Bishop Selwyn

and built to a design by Frederick Thatcher. Auckland’s Chapel of St John the

Evangelist (Register no. 13) is now the earliest surviving example of a 'Selwyn

Church'. Built from timber, it was designed by Frederick Thatcher and was

consecrated by Bishop Selwyn in 1847 and extended in the mid-twentieth

century. Auckland’s St Andrew’s Church (Presbyterian) (Register no. 20) was

built between 1847 and 1850 from stone and modified in the 1880s and in the

twentieth century.

The Holy Trinity Church is also a very early surviving example of a European

settler building in Taranaki. Other examples include a relocated cottage in New

Plymouth (Register no. 895) that dates from 1841, Te Henui Vicarage (Register

no. 892) which was completed between March and April 1845, St Mary’s

Anglican Church (Register no.148), whose foundation stone was laid in March

1845 and the building opened in 1846, and the Colonial Hospital built in 1847

(Register no. 29).28

Young Reverend Bolland travelled to New Plymouth with his wife Jane, arriving

in December 1843, and was appointed Deacon in charge of the parish in New

23 ‘New Plymouth,’ Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, 13 September 1845, p.111 24 Lyttelton Times, 27 March 1852, p.2 25 See Figure 1; Gavin, p.32 states that the building was opened on 18 May 1845. Other secondary

sources state the church was opened earlier, in March of that year: Cyclopedia Company Ltd, p.72; ‘Local and General,’ Evening Post, 2 June 1923. No available primary sources have been found during the research for this report which to indicate which month of completion, March or May 1845, is correct.

26 Gavin, p.32 27 The oldest remaining New Zealand church is in Russell: Christ Church (Anglican), Category 1

historic place (Register no. 1) originally constructed in 1835. The four comparable examples of 1840s churches referred to in this paragraph are all included on the New Zealand Historic Places Trust (NZHPT) as Category 1 historic places.

28 Cottage, Category 2 historic place (Register no. 895); Te Henui Vicarage, Category 1 historic place (Register no. 892); St Mary’s Church (Anglican), Category 1 historic place (Register no.148); The Gables (Colonial Hospital), Category 1 historic place (Register no. 29)


Plymouth by Bishop Selwyn.29 Planning for Holy Trinity Church, then more

commonly known as the Te Henui Church or Chapel, seems to have been

underway by the time of the Bishop’s quick visit to Taranaki in late 1844.30

Bolland and architect Frederick Thatcher (1814-1890) were exploring the idea

of an octagonal nave for Te Henui church. However, the eventual design was

much more conservative, consisting of a simple rectangular gabled nave, a

porch, and a belfry.31

Thatcher was one of the first 15 associates of the British Institute of Architects,

and was responsible for the design of a number of New Zealand’s celebrated

ecclesiastical buildings, including Old St Paul’s in Wellington (Register no. 38),

the Chapel and buildings at St John’s College in Auckland (Register no. 13 and

14), and Selwyn’s Bishopscourt complex at Parnell (Register no. 23).32 Another

of his Taranaki buildings was the former Colonial Hospital (Register no. 29), and

the 1845 stone extension to the Te Henui Vicarage (Register no. 892), home to

Bolland and his family at a midway point between the two churches on his

circuit. Thatcher is remembered as a key proponent of the influential ‘Selwyn

style’ of architecture.

However, Holy Trinity Church initially seems to have had none of the

refinements of Thatcher buildings such as St Mary’s Church. Holy Trinity

Church was constructed with timber slabs and had a thatched roof of ferns and

bracken, instead of raupo, which gave it a very rustic look.33 Bishop Selwyn

described the building as ‘a temporary chapel of pleasing appearance.’34 The

thatch was not ideal as it seems to have been a breeding ground for all manner

29 ‘Holy Trinity Anglican Church New Plymouth’ URL

http://www.holytrinity.co.nz/documents/History2.html (Accessed 8 December 2010); W. E. Limbrick, ‘Selwyn, George Augustus’; F. Porter, ‘New Plymouth Buildings: St Mary’s Church and Te Henui Parsonage Whiteley Mission House The Gables’ Historic Buildings of New Zealand, North Island, Auckland, 1979, p. 177

30 The church appears to have begun to be commonly called Holy Trinity Church in the late nineteenth century, although references to Henui Church persisted until well into the twentieth century. The first search results for Holy Trinity Church, Henui, on Papers Past is: ‘Harbour Board,’ Taranaki Herald, 18 January 1899, p.2. The church was still referred to as Henui Church in the 1920s: ‘Engagements and Marriages,’ Kai Tiake: the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, October 1924, p.185

31 M. Alington, An Excellent Recruit: Frederick Thatcher, architect, priest and private secretary in early New Zealand, Auckland, c.2007, p.50

32 M. Alington, ‘Thatcher, Frederick’, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 1 September 2010, www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/biographies/1t92 (accessed 17 December 2010); Old St Paul’s Cathedral, Category 1 historic place (Register no. 38); Chapel of St John the Evangelist, Category 1 historic place (Register no. 13); College of St John the Evangelist Dining Hall and Waitoa Room, Category 1 historic place (Register no. 14); Selwyn Court (Former Bishop’s Court , now the Deanery) Category 1 historic place (Register no. 23); Selwyn Library (Former Cathedral Library) Category 1 historic place (Register no. 24); House, Category 2 historic place (Register no. 2638); St Barnabas’ Chapel, Category 2 historic place (Register no. 2646)

33 See Figure 1 34 Gavin, p.32


of insects. Congregants are said to have often been distracted during services

due to black beetles dropping down on to them, being shaken free from the

thatch through the vibrations of the bell.35 The building cost £50, all of which

was contributed by Bishop Selwyn. This patronage was recognised with a brass

plaque erected in Holy Trinity Church on the occasion of its 60th jubilee.36

Around the same period that Bolland opened Holy Trinity Church, his Oxford

University friend, Henry Govett (1819-1903), was ordained as a deacon.37

Govett eventually became the first Archdeacon of Taranaki in 1859. By this time

he was the vicar of St Mary’s Church, having succeeded Bolland in this role in

1848.38 Govett then presided over many ceremonies at Holy Trinity Church

throughout his long career.39 In the early period regular services at Holy Trinity

Church were held every fortnight, and these were led by a combination of lay

readers and local Methodist ministers. It was not until 1950 that the church had

its own vicar, Reverend M. Richards, when Holy Trinity Parish was

established.40 The Te Henui and Bell Block Parochial District had been created

in 1915.41

Any plans that the local Anglican community may have had to upgrade the

facilities at Te Henui were seemingly stalled by the 1860s conflicts now

commonly known as the Taranaki Wars.42 The Taranaki Wars were waged

between the Crown and Maori in response to Maori resistance against the

enforced alienation of their land. It was provoked by the difficulties caused by

the demand for land for the colonists. An enquiry by Commissioner Spain in

1844 had upheld the initial European purchase of 60,000 acres, but this was re-

investigated by Governor FitzRoy (1804-1865) and reduced to 3,500 acres.43

Over the next 15 years large blocks of land were purchased by the Governor on

either side of New Plymouth, but tensions (both inter-tribal and between Maori

35 M. Moorhead, Historic New Plymouth, North Island, New Zealand: A new look at an old story,

New Plymouth, 1977. NZHPT File 12004-461; A. Alexander, Holy Trinity, New Plymouth, 1845-1970, New Plymouth, 1970, p.10

36 Alington, pp.50-51; ‘Henui Church,’ Taranaki Herald, 23 June 1905, p.3 37 Gavin, p.9; ‘The Late Archdeacon Govett,’ Hawera & Normanby Star, 6 October 1903, p.2. 38 ‘The Late Archdeacon Govett.’ Govett only became a priest in 1847 39 There are many examples of Govett presiding over marriages, in particular, at Holy Trinity

Church. A small sample includes: Taranaki Herald, 12 June 1850, p.2; 12 February 1873, p.2; 18 January 1882, p.2; 2 December 1893, p.2

40 Alexander, p.7 41 Parish Magazine, December 1915. Scrapbook on Holy Trinity Church Fitzroy, compiled by

Reverend Harold Favell, 1915-18. Holy Trinity Church archive collection. Copy held on NZHPT File 12004-461

42 Gavin, p.11 43 Alan Ward, National Overview – Vol III – Waitangi Tribunal Rangahaua Whanui Series, GP

Publications, Wellington, 1997, pp.169-180


and Pakeha) continued to escalate, erupting into hostilities.44

During the wars the Church’s property was generally respected, but the parish

suffered from a mass removal of European settler congregants, especially

women and children, to the safety of places such as Nelson. Also, those among

the population who did stay often had stretched personal finances, which in turn

impacted on the parish’s resources.45

The conflicts during the 1860s caused widespread deprivation, suffering and

loss of life and land for iwi, resulting in the heavy confiscation of tribal land

taken by the Crown under the Land Settlement Act of 1863. 185,000 acres of

land within Te Atiawa’s rohe was confiscated.46 The devastating effects of these

actions have since been acknowledged by the Crown through formal apologies

and efforts of redress by settlement agreements, although the legacy of

disenfranchisement continues to affect Maori.47

The wars of the 1860s saw many buildings – especially those in outlying areas

like Henui – fall prey to the fighting, sacked and burned. 187 settler homesteads

were known to have been destroyed during the conflicts, all located outside the

defensive cordon of the central township.48 The Holy Trinity Church is therefore

a rare survivor of this significant period in Taranaki’s history. Its survival could

be attributed to the general esteem in which clergy were held, as Bolland and

Govett had forged good relationships with the Maori through their missionary

activities.

Recovery took time after the devastation of the Taranaki Wars. However, it

would appear that Holy Trinity Church’s community were determined to lose no

more time in upgrading their building. A contract was advertised in 1869 for

repair and restoration of the church, with fund-raising activities, such as

44 Waitangi Tribunal, The Taranaki Report: Kaupapa Tuatahi, available at http://www.waitangi-

tribunal.govt.nz/reports/view.asp?ReportID=3FECC540-D049-4DE6-A7F0-C26BCCDAB345 (accessed 25 May 2009)

45 Gavin, p.6 46 ‘Heads of Agreement between the Crown and Te Atiawa: Summary of Historical Background to

the claims by Te Atiawa,’ available at www.executive,govt.nz/96-99/minister/graham/te_atiawa/01.html

47 For example: Waitangi Tribunal, The Taranaki Report; Office of Treaty Settlements, ‘Progress of Claims’, 10 December 2009, accessed 19 February 2010, available from http://nz01.terabyte.co.nz/ots/LiveArticle.asp?ArtID=-1243035403; ‘Heads of Agreement between the Crown and Te Atiawa: Summary of Historical Background to the claims by Te Atiawa’

48 Day, Kelvin (ed). Contested Ground Te Whenua I Tohea: The Taranaki Wars 1860-1881, Huia Publishers, Wellington, 2010, p. 45, 68


bazaars, beginning that year as well.49 It seems that it was not until 1872 that

the original timber slab cladding was replaced with boards and battens. The

thatch was also exchanged for shingles, much to the relief of the users of the

building.50

The 1880s seem to have been a time of great change for the building.

Increasing numbers of churches were built around New Zealand in the 1870s

and 1880s as European settlement spread and early established places

matured. This second wave of church building saw the replacement of some of

the earliest churches, or their alteration to accommodate larger congregations,

such as Holy Trinity Church’s Auckland contemporaries, the Catholic Cathedral

of St Patrick and St Joseph and St Andrew’s Church (Presbyterian).51

Therefore it is not surprising that in 1884 Holy Trinity Church was closed while

interior alterations were undertaken in order to insert a new organ, as well as

rearranging the pews to form an aisle. A new bell was also installed.52 Then in

1888 tenders were called for a significant building programme which resulted in

the creation of transepts. The architect, James Sanderson, also created a

vestry and a completely new roof encased the expanded building.53 The

extensions were said to give ‘a decidedly architectural look to the building.’54

Once again Archdeacon Govett was involved and he officiated at the church’s

re-opening service.55

Although over 40 years after Bishop Selwyn instigated the construction of Holy

Trinity Church, it seems like it was only after these extensions that the once

rustic building began to look more like a ‘Selwyn style’ church. The style the

building takes can be variously described as Antipodean Gothic, Colonial

Gothic, Selwyn’s Gothic, or Gothic Revival. Selwyn was interested in bringing

this revival of medieval Gothic architecture to New Zealand because of his own

belief that it was the only style appropriate for ecclesiastical buildings, which

49 Taranaki Herald, 19 June 1869, p.1; Taranaki Herald, 26 June 1869, p.1; ‘Church of England

Bazaar and Concert,’ Taranaki Herald, 7 July 1869, p.2 50 Gavin, p.33 51 This second wave of church building is discusses in the Nelson context by J. McAloon, Nelson: A

regional history, Whatamango Bay, 1997, pp.44, 89. Southland was settled later and it is noted that the 1870s saw an intensive period of church building. B. Knowles, ‘A Stronghold of Faith – Christianity in the Deep South,’ in P. Sorrell (ed.) Murihiku: The Southland story, Invercargill, 2006, p.252

52 Taranaki Herald, 27 November 1884, p.2; ‘Henui Church,’ Taranaki Herald, 1 December 1884, p.2

53 Taranaki Herald, 11 May 1888, p.1; Cyclopedia Company Ltd, p.72 54 Taranaki Herald, 28 July 1888, p.2; See Figure 2 55 Ibid.


was strengthened through his involvement with the Cambridge Camden

Society.56 Thatcher – Selwyn’s architect of choice – was also a member of this

society, and together they adapted the style to suit New Zealand conditions and

building resources.57 This type of building had become a vernacular style of

building in New Zealand by the time of the second wave of church building.

In 1903 the interior was altered again, with the cost primarily borne by

Archdeacon Robert Henry Cole (d.1935). The altar was raised at this time to

designs by F. Messenger.58 Around this time the Reverend F. G. Evans noted

that there was ‘…very progressive spiritual work going on at Henui’ and that the

‘…congregations have largely increased, and the services are always bright,

hearty and reverent.’59 The congregation made a concerted effort to

acknowledge important figures in the church’s history in the early twentieth

century. Several commemorative plaques were installed, dedicated to

Archdeacon Govett and to Reverend H. Handley Brown. A diamond jubilee bell

had also been commissioned and hung in the belfry.60 There were further

changes to the building made by Messenger in the 1920s.61

In the mid-twentieth century Holy Trinity Church became the centre of its own

parish and a vicarage was therefore required. This building is currently on the

north of the church section and was constructed in 1956. The next building

project of the new parish was to complete a parish hall. This building

constructed in 1962 replaced a late nineteenth century church hall.62 The

current form of the church is a result of further extension in the late twentieth

century. These include additions made in 1966 and 1978 that saw the building

expanded at its sides in order to boost the seating capacity to 350 people.63

Thousands of divine, wedding, funeral and other Anglican services have been

held in Holy Trinity Church since 1845. An early marriage of interest in

November 1846 was between local resident Mary Chilman and Thomas King.

The fifth child of this union was the eminent New Zealander Sir Frederick Truby

56 John Stackpoole, Colonial Architecture in New Zealand, A.H. & A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1976,

p.78 57 Alington, ‘Thatcher, Frederick’ 58 Alexander, p.10; See Figure 3 59 ‘Holy Trinity Church, Te Henui,’ Taranaki Herald, 5 May 1904, p.5 60 ‘Te Henui Church,’ Taranaki Herald, 13 January 1906, p.7 61 Alexander, p.12; See Figure 4 62 ‘Church Halls,’ Holy Trinity Church – New Plymouth, URL:

http://www.holytrinity.co.nz/documents/History5.html (Accessed 16 February 2012) 63 ‘Improvements to church,’ Taranaki Herald, 28 April 1966; Church still growing, Taranaki Daily

News, 14 June 1978. NZHPT File 12004-461; See Figure 5-9


King (1858-1917).64 His elder brother, Newton (1855-1927), became a

prominent businessman through his namesake company. Indeed, the King

family, who had large land holdings just outside of New Plymouth, are said to

have ‘belonged to the settlement’s commercial and political elite.’65 The family

maintained a relationship with the church, it being the location of Sarah King’s

wedding in 1878.66 Holy Trinity Church continues to function as an

ecclesiastical building.

2.2. Physical Description and Analysis

Holy Trinity Church is a modest sized timber church located in the east New

Plymouth suburb of Fitzroy. The building is positioned at the southern end of a

large trapezoidal section and church’s apse is within a few metres of the street

front.67 A concrete pad surrounds the building but there are grassed areas

beyond this. There is a collection of mature trees and shrubs on the southern

boundary. The grounds also include a headstone commemorating the 1857

deaths of Margaret Cudd and her brother William Kelly, although it is unclear

whether the headstone has an associated grave. The headstone is located

close to the northern side of the apse. Also positioned close to the front of the

section, immediately north of the church, is the 1962 single storey rectangular

Parish Hall. The complex of church buildings is completed by the 1956 vicarage

at the northern end and its garage building. To the north of the site is a tall

Norfolk pine reportedly planted by Bishop Selwyn in 1845.68

Form and exterior of church

Since its beginnings as an unassuming, rustic building in 1845, Holy Trinity

Church has been significantly altered on several occasions. This has resulted in

a modestly sized, weatherboard and board and batten clad, corrugated iron

roofed church building. The collection of Gothic Revival-inspired gables and late

twentieth century lean-tos combine to create a reasonably complicated roof

form. The building has been gradually expanded outwards from the centre since

64 Gavin, pp.33-34; B. Brookes, 'King, Frederic Truby – Biography,' from the Dictionary of New

Zealand Biography. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/biographies/2k8/1 (1 September 2010)

65 J. Watson, 'King, Newton – Biography,' from the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/biographies/3k13/1 (updated 1 September 2010)

66 Taranaki Herald, 20 March 1878, p.2 67 See p.1 and Figure 1 68 Bowman, Ian, ‘Conservation Plan: Holy Trinity Church, Fitzroy, New Plymouth,’ December 2010,

p. 29


the late nineteenth century.

The physical and historical nucleus of the building is the current nave. Initially

this was a single gabled structure, dating from 1845 and renovated in the

1870s. In 1888 the increasing size of the congregation led to significant

alterations to the original building.69 The form of the building was changed by:

‘cutting a piece off of the end of the old church and putting on a large new

portion with transepts, at the same time bringing the piece cut off to the

other end to serve as a chancel and a vestry.’70

The subsequent history of substantial alteration to the building means it is

unlikely that much original or 1870s fabric is still extant, although investigation

of the building and archaeology could reveal currently unidentified older fabric.

From existing plans and descriptions of the building it seems more likely that

there is potential for a small amount of remaining 1888 fabric, particularly in the

north transept.71

Alterations to the interior, attributed to architect Frank Messenger, were

completed in 1903. It seems probable that these changes included the

installation of a reredos, painted on tin panels by an as yet unidentified person,

which is visible in a photo from circa1910.72 Three of these panels were recently

discovered to be well preserved intact behind later timber wall lining, and have

been uncovered for restoration.73 The panels seem to have been covered for

many decades as current congregants cannot recall seeing them before their

recent rediscovery.74 The raising of the altar on a staging area was also

undertaken at this time. This staging may have been incorporated into the

design, by the same architect, when the church was extended around 1928.

However while the general form seems to have stayed the same the 1903

staging may have been removed in order to widen the chancel in the late

1920s. The square-ended apse was also added at this later time. The works

also saw the vestry (on the north side of the chancel) expanded, and a new

baptistery added to the west end of what became the nave. It is likely that the

belfry on the baptistery gable dates from this section’s construction, but it may

be a reuse of the earlier one. Another change was the raising of the roofline to

69 Compare Figures 1 and 2 70 Taranaki Herald, 28 July 1888, p.2 71 K. Astwood to R. O’Brien, 3 May 2012. NZHPT File 12004-461 72 See Figure 3; Bowman, p.9 73 Pers comm Trisha Carter to Blyss Wagstaff, 20 April 2012 74 ‘Art treasure found in church,’ Daily News, 27 April 2012, p.3


create a main gable form at the same height as the transept gables.75

Then in 1966 lean-to sections extended the nave both northwards and

southwards towards the line of the 1888 transept and slightly beyond it on the

respective sides. A lean-to vestry, with external access between it and the choir,

segments the façade of the north transept. The current porch, which extended

the building at its southwest corner, was also constructed.76 Bowman notes

that shingles from the 1872 roof replacement were found underneath the

corrugated iron roofing at this time.77

The most recent significant changes to the building took place in the late 1970s

and focused on the south side of the church. These involved a large extension

of the transept gable and the addition of a parallel gable adjoining it to the west,

as well the creation of a new vestry off from the chancel. An attempt was made

to match the internal and external linings, and the existing ventilating louvers

from the apex of the transept gable were reused in the new exterior wall.78

Previous additions had retained a relatively symmetrical plan to the building

along its east to west axis. After the late twentieth century additions the building

is now more heavily weighted on its south side. The late nineteenth century

form of the building is still readable from the north, primarily because additions

were single height lean-tos adjoining steep Gothic gables of the church. Lancet

windows have been used throughout the building to marry the later additions

with the style of the earlier building. It seems that board and batten cladding

was used for the circa 1928 vestry (now choir) addition to replicate the existing

1870s or 1880s cladding on this section, and on the new baptistery section,

perhaps as in homage to ‘Selwyn style’ churches.79

Interior and fixtures and fittings

The extension of the building is perhaps not as easy to read on the interior,

mainly because it seems that most of the interior linings have been replaced,

probably as part of one of the late twentieth century alteration projects.80,

75 Alexander, p.10 states that extensions were undertaken in 1927. However, plans of the

alterations are dated 1928. ‘Holy Trinity Church, Fitzroy,’ architectural plans, 1928. New Plymouth District Council (NPDC), 428439 BC 87003

76 See Figure 4; Taranaki Herald, 28 April 1966. NZHPT File 12004-461 77 Bowman, p.10 78 See Figures 6-9 79 See Figure 2. In this image the parts of the initial church are delineated through the use of board

and batten cladding (to the left and right of the taller gable which is the 1888 transept addition) 80 Compare Figures 3 and 12-13


However, the discovery of the tin reredos panels preserved behind the timber

panelling on the east wall behind the altar suggests that other older fabric could

exist behind the later linings. Timber match lining has been used throughout in

order to be sympathetic to the interior character of the late nineteenth century

building. Although predominantly one large open plan space, some additions

are signalled through difference in ceiling height and the presence of support

columns.

The height of the main central gable and transepts provide a suitably spacious

feeling in the congregational area. The pews in the nave are positioned at a

diagonal to the aisle, as well as extending into the 1966 northern lean-to, and

also the southern transept. It is unclear when the pews date from. Impressive

features of the interior are the arched roof braces of the nave, transepts and

chancel. All of these, perhaps with the exception of those in the transepts,

would have been created circa 1928 when the main gable roofline was made

uniform. The simply styled wall brace corbels at their bases seem to confirm

this, as they demonstrate a late 1920s and 1930s aesthetic rather than a more

decorative Victorian one.

The chancel extends into the transept through staging. Previously the altar,

donated by Archdeacon Cole in 1903, was positioned towards the rear of the

chancel, but now it is located towards the intersection of the chancel and the

transepts.81 This altar is dedicated to the memories of Bishop Selwyn,

Archdeacon Govett, and early New Plymouth clergy, Reverends Bolland and

Brown.82 The current altar rails appear to date from the late twentieth century.

Other altar furniture populates this area. A late nineteenth century needlepoint

work depicting the last supper is located on the back wall, the general position it

seems to have held since its donation to the church in 1897.83

There are few decorative fittings in the building aside from memorial windows

and the recently uncovered reredos. There are two windows in the apse, both

being memorials to the fallen of World War Two. The northern window depicts

St George and the Dragon, while its opposite shows St Michael. All of these

windows resulted from a bequest and were installed in 1953.84 Other windows

in the nave and baptistery depict: St Peter in memory of Lewis George

Andrews; Jesus as shepherd in memory of Archdeacon Frank George Evans;

81 Compare Figures 3 and 12 82 Alexander, p.13 83 Ibid. 84 Ibid., p.14


and St James and St John in memory of George and Jane Giddy.

As well as memorial windows there are a number of plaques around the church,

erected at various times. These include a timber framed, embossed copper

panel list of congregants who died while serving in World War One. A Roll of

Honour for this war is also present, and is calligraphy on paper in a timber

frame. There is a group of four brass plaques where the 1966 north additions

meet the baptistery.85 The plaque commemorating Bishop Selwyn was first

installed in the church in 1905 on the building’s 60th anniversary.86

Accompanying a plaque to Reverend Henry Govett is an image of Govett which

is framed in timber which prominent former parishioner and noted historian W.

H. Skinner attributed as being original material (pukatea) from the 1845

building. All of this group of plaques appear to have been created in the early

twentieth century, and also commemorate church member and benefactor

Darius Shuttleworth, and Te Henui priest Sanders Spencer.87

2.3. Chattels

This place includes chattels that contribute to its heritage significance and

should be included in the registration.

Identification and Significance of Chattels

Chattels that contribute to the heritage significance include the font and altar,

the picture of Reverend Govett, the needlework image of The Last Supper, the

font, credence table, clergy stalls, and lectern.88 Most of these items have been

donated to the church. They not only serve as important functional items in

religious services but decorate the building. They also document various

congregants and people who have contributed to the church community. For

example, the font was donated by the church’s Women’s Guild. The 1955 eagle

lectern was donated in the memory of Adriana Lee, and the credence table

(date unknown) as an offering of thanks by Mrs Leatham. The two clergy stalls

were also donated around this time in memory of congregants. The image of

Bishop Selwyn in a frame made from timber from the original church is also

important, and The Last Supper needlework above the altar was bequeathed to

85 See Figure 13 86 Taranaki Herald, 23 June 1905, p.3 87 Holy Trinity Church photographs, B. Wagstaff, 9 July 2010. NZHPT File 12004-461 88 See Figures 12-14. The font is visible on the left side of Figure 13


Holy Trinity Church by Mrs George Young in 1897.89

2.4. Key Physical Dates

1845 Constructed

1872 Building clad in board and battens and roof shingles

1888 Original building dissected leaving the bulk of it for the nave.

Transepts created. Chancel formed out of a part of original building

1903 Interior alterations including reredos and new raised staging for

altar

circa 1928 Addition of baptistery, height of main gable roof raised to that or

transepts, apse added.

1966 Glass porch added and north side gable extensions; roof repaired

1978 Southwest gable added, south transept extended and southeast

lean-to created

2.5. Construction Professionals

Architect (original construction): Frederick Thatcher90

Architect (1888 extensions): James Sanderson (1845-1924)

Sanderson’s career as an architect was primarily in New Plymouth where he

was the Education Board architect. He designed commercial buildings for many

important companies ‘as well as some of the principle residences.’91 He

designed the extensions for Holy Trinity Church, Fitzroy, and the Band Rotunda

in Pukekura Park, New Plymouth.92

Builder (1888 extensions): G. Hall

Architect (circa 1928 extensions): Francis (Frank) John Messenger

89 Alexander, pp.13-15 90 M. Alington ‘Thatcher, Frederick’ Dictionary of New Zealand Biography , URL

http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1t92/1 (accessed 8 December 2010)


Architect (1966 extensions): R. W. Syme

Architect (1978 extensions): Laurenson Robinson and Jim Boon Architects and

Engineers

2.6. Construction Materials

Concrete, glass, timber

2.7. Former Uses

Religion - Church

2.8. Current Uses

Religion - Church

2.9. Discussion of Sources

Analysis of Material Available

A variety of sources were consulted during the preparation of this report. These

ranged from primary sources (architectural plans, land information, newspaper

articles, and photographs) to secondary sources on New Plymouth’s history,

New Zealand’s architectural and religious history, and history of the Taranaki

region.

Analysis of Material Accessed

The material assessed has been useful in determining a general picture of the

importance of the building locally, as well as placing it within a broader local

social and historical context. Reproductions of plans of the building were helpful

in determining the original layout for the church and also subsequent alterations

to it. Sources, such as Alexander, note that there is very little primary material

available regarding the early history of the building. Indeed, no primary sources

were readily accessible to confirm secondary information and find out whether

the building was completed in March or May 1845. There are numerous

photographs and plans of the building were important in chronicling its

91 ‘Personal Items,’ Hawera & Normanby Star, 27 January 1924, p.4 92 Band Rotunda, Category 2 historic place (Register no. 882)


development, as were newspaper articles, especially those from the late

nineteenth century. The 1970 church history was invaluable in fleshing out the

primary source information and detailing elements such as when and who

donated various chattels and fittings.

Conclusion

There is sufficient information available on this place to support the registration

proposal. Sufficient information on this place has been accessed to support this

registration proposal.

Bibliography

Available at New Zealand Historic Places Trust, Central Region, Wellington:

Holy Trinity Church (Anglican), New Plymouth 12004-461

Primary Sources

Available from the New Plymouth District Council, New Plymouth:

File 428439 BC 87003

File 428444 BC 87003

Available from Papers Past, http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast:

Evening Post, 2 June 1923

Hawera & Normanby Star, 6 October 1903, 27 January 1924

Kai Tiake: The journal of the nurses of New Zealand, October 1924

Lyttelton Times, 27 March 1852

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, 13 September 1845

New Zealand Spectator and Cook’s Strait Guardian, 27 October 1849

Taranaki Herald, 12 June 1850, 19 June 1869, 26 June 1869, 7 July 1869, 12

February 1873, 20 March 1878, 18 January 1882, 27 November 1884, 1

December 1884, 11 May 1888, 28 July 1888, 2 December 1893, 18 January


1899, 5 May 1904, 23 June 1905, 13 January 1906

Secondary/published sources

Alexander, A.C., Holy Trinity New Plymouth 1845-1970, Printed by Taranaki

Newspapers, New Plymouth, 1970

Alington, Margaret, An Excellent Recruit: Frederick Thatcher, architect, priest

and private secretary in early New Zealand. Polygraphia, Auckland, 2007

Bowman, Ian, ‘Conservation Plan: Holy Trinity Church, Fitzroy, New Plymouth,’

December 2010

Cyclopedia Company Limited, Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Taranaki, Hawke’s

Bay & Wellington Provincial District], Christchurch, 1908

Gavin, G.H., The Taranaki Archdeaconry: its history and associations, 1859-

1955, Taihape Times, Taihape, 1955

Knight, C.R., The Selwyn Churches of Auckland, A.H. & A.W. Reed,

Wellington, 1972

Lambert, Gail & Ron, An Illustrated History of Taranaki, The Dunmore Press,

Palmerston North, 1983

McAloon, J., Nelson: A regional history, Whatamango Bay, 1997

Porter, Frances, Historic Buildings of New Zealand: North Island, Cassell New

Zealand, Auckland, 1979

Prickett, Nigel, Historic Taranaki: An Archaeological Guide, GP Books,

Wellington

Stacpoole, John, Colonial Architecture in New Zealand, A.H. & A.W. Reed,

Wellington, 1976

Sorrell, P. (ed), Murihiku; The Southland story, Invercargill, 2006

Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, Maori Peoples of New Zealand:

Nga Iwi o Aotearoa, David Bateman/Ministry for Culture and Heritage,

Wellington, 2006


Ward, Alan, National Overview – Vol III – Waitangi Tribunal Rangahaua Whanui

Series, GP Publications, Wellington, 1997

Wells, B., The History of Taranaki, Edmonson & Avery “Taranaki News Office”,

New Plymouth, 1878. Reprinted by Capper Press, Christchurch, 1976

Electronic Resources

Alington, Margaret, ‘Thatcher, Frederick’, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New

Zealand, updated 1 September 2010, www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/biographies/1t92

(accessed 17 December 2010)

‘Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia: History’,

http://www.anglican.org.nz/About/History (accessed 12 January 2011)

Brookes, B., 'King, Frederic Truby – Biography,' from the Dictionary of New

Zealand Biography. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, URL:

http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/biographies/2k8/1 (1 September 2010)

‘Church Halls,’ Holy Trinity Church – New Plymouth, URL:

http://www.holytrinity.co.nz/documents/History5.html (Accessed 16 February

2012)

‘Heads of Agreement between the Crown and Te Atiawa: Summary of Historical

Background to the claims by Te Atiawa,’ available at www.executive,govt.nz/96-

99/minister/graham/te_atiawa/01.html

‘Holy Trinity Anglican Church New Plymouth’ URL

http://www.holytrinity.co.nz/documents/History2.html (accessed 8 December

2010)

Hoskin, Sorrel, Taranaki Stories: Natural World – Ngamotu – more than just a

beach, Puke Ariki, 2003,

http://www.pukeariki.com/en/stories/naturalworld/ngamotu.asp (accessed 20

May 2009)

Limbrick, W. E., ‘Selwyn, George Augustus’ Dictionary of New Zealand

Biography, URL http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1s5/1 (accessed 8

December 2010)

Lawn, Charles A., The pioneer land surveyors of New Zealand, New Zealand

http://www.anglican.org.nz/About/History

http://www.pukeariki.com/en/stories/naturalworld/ngamotu.asp


Institute of Surveyors, Wellington, 2005. Available from www.surveyors.org.nz.,

(accessed 2008).

McLintock (ed), ‘The Dioceses’, An Encyclopedia of New Zealand, originally published in 1966, available from Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/1966/church-of-england/1 (accessed 11 January 2011)

New Plymouth District Council, ‘Te Henui Walkway”,

http://www.newplymouthnz.com/VisitingNewPlymouth/Attractions/Walkways/Te

HenuiWalkway.htm (accessed 11 January 2011)

Office of Treaty Settlements, ‘Progress of Claims’, 10 December 2009, available

from http://nz01.terabyte.co.nz/ots/LiveArticle.asp?ArtID=-1243035403

(accessed 19 February 2010)

Waitangi Tribunal, The Taranaki Report: Kaupapa Tuatahi, available at

http://www.waitangi-tribunal.govt.nz/reports/view.asp?ReportID=3FECC540-

D049-4DE6-A7F0-C26BCCDAB345 (accessed 25 May 2009)

J. Watson, 'King, Newton – Biography,' from the Dictionary of New Zealand

Biography. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, URL:

http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/biographies/3k13/1 (updated 1 September 2010)

http://www.surveyors.org.nz/

http://www.waitangi-tribunal.govt.nz/reports/view.asp?ReportID=3FECC540-D049-4DE6-A7F0-C26BCCDAB345

http://www.waitangi-tribunal.govt.nz/reports/view.asp?ReportID=3FECC540-D049-4DE6-A7F0-C26BCCDAB345


3. SIGNIFICANCE ASSESSMENT93

3.1. Section 23 (1) Assessment

Architectural Significance or Value

There is strong evidence that Holy Trinity Church was first designed by noted

pioneer ecclesiastical architect Frederick Thatcher. The corpus of religious

buildings designed by Thatcher, which are associated with the architectural

influence of Bishop Selwyn, were seminal in the development of New Zealand’s

Gothic Revival vernacular churches. Subsequent additions to the simple original

Holy Trinity Church building have included features of this style, such as

transepts, an apse, high steep gables, and lancet windows. The building has

local architectural importance because additions were designed by leading late

nineteenth and early twentieth century New Plymouth architects James

Sanderson and Francis John Messenger.

Archaeological significance or value

The Holy Trinity Church was constructed in 1845 and is associated with the

earliest period of European settlement in New Plymouth. As such the site is of

archaeological significance. Although the building has been modified over time,

the section is likely to contain archaeological deposits associated with its

continuous use since 1845, including the possibility of unmarked graves. The

section also contains a headstone dated 1857.

Historical Significance or Value

This building is of special historical value. Opened in 1845, the Holy Trinity

Church is the ‘oldest edifice erected for [Anglican] Divine service in Taranaki’

and is one of New Zealand’s oldest remaining churches, or remnants of

churches. Just four other known examples of 1840s churches remain, all of

which have since been extended. Three of these are Anglican churches that like

the Holy Trinity Church were constructed through the efforts of Bishop Selwyn

to a Thatcher design. Selwyn was a prominent and important member of the

early Anglican Church in New Zealand and the Holy Trinity Church, whose site

was selected by and its construction paid for by the Bishop, is directly linked

93For the relevant sections of the HPA see Appendix 4: Significance Assessment Information.


with his work to establish and develop Anglicanism in New Zealand.

The church is also significant for surviving the 1860s Taranaki campaign of the

New Zealand wars, one of relatively few buildings around New Plymouth that

was not destroyed during this time. The economic hardships and social situation

in New Plymouth during the decade of conflict inhibited the evolution of the

1845 ‘temporary’ building. Therefore, the eventual changes to the building’s

appearance in the early 1870s are indicative of the community’s determined

recovery after this turmoil. The 1870s and 1880s alterations to the building also

coincide with a second wave of church building in New Zealand when many

other early churches were either replaced or expanded.

Holy Trinity Church has significance for its direct historical connections with

influential early local clergy, such as Reverend Bolland, and Henry Govett, the

first Archdeacon of Taranaki.

Social Significance or Value

Thousands of members of the local Anglican community have had a close

association with the building including the King family. Thomas and Mary King

were married in Holy Trinity Church and were influential and prominent in local

society and significant land owners. Among their children was Sir Frederick

Truby King, who is acknowledged as an important New Zealander through his

founding of the Plunket Society and other social programmes. The various

donations of commemorative and dedicatory objects and fittings in Holy Trinity

Church have local social value. They document the deaths and contributions of

many members of the local Anglican community and its leaders. In particular,

the World War One and Two memorials, in the form of plaques, a roll of honour,

and windows, demonstrate the toll that these pivotal events of the twentieth

century had at a local level.

Spiritual Significance or Value

Holy Trinity Church is of spiritual significance nationally as the first purpose built

structure for Anglican worship in Taranaki, which was the second New Zealand

Company colony, and as one of the few remaining churches which had their

foundations in the earliest period of European settlement. Since its construction

Holy Trinity Church has been the scene of innumerable Anglican religious

services, events, and celebrations and therefore has been directly associated

with the spiritual aspect of thousands of local residents’ lives, which means Holy


Trinity Church is of local spiritual importance.

Summary of Significance or Values

This place has been assessed for, and found to possess architectural,

archaeological, historical, social, and spiritual significance or value.

Conclusion

It is considered that this place qualifies as part of New Zealand’s historic and

cultural heritage.

3.2. Section 23 (2) Assessment

(a) The extent to which the place reflects important or representative aspects of

New Zealand history

Holy Trinity Church has special historical significance for its link to the

establishment of the Anglican Church in New Zealand, an aspect of this

country’s history that has shaped the lives of a large sector of the population.

(b) The association of the place with events, persons, or ideas of importance in

New Zealand history

The building is directly associated with Bishop Selwyn, and dates from the

earliest period of his work setting up the Church of England in New Zealand.

The building also has strong links to Henry Govett, a figure of great importance

in the establishment of the Anglican faith in New Zealand and Taranaki. Govett

was the first Archdeacon in Taranaki. He was placed in a challenging position

early in this role, guiding the Anglican Church through the tumultuous period of

the Taranaki Wars. As a rare survivor of the Taranaki Wars, the building is also

significant for its association with this tumultuous period in New Zealand history.

(c) The potential of the place to provide knowledge of New Zealand history

As this property was first developed in 1845, the site surrounding the church is

of archaeological significance. There will be remnants of the activities

associated the church which could be gleaned through archaeological

techniques. The churchyard contains a headstone for an 1857 grave and there

is the possibility of other unmarked graves within the grounds.


(e) The community association with, or public esteem for the place

Holy Trinity Church has been attended by thousands of local people since its

construction in 1845 and therefore many have a close personal and family

connection with the building. Holy Trinity Church has benefitted from generous

community efforts to maintain and beautify the building and the grounds through

voluntary labour and donations, which is indicative of a consistent history of

local esteem for the place.

(i) The importance of identifying historic places known to date from early periods of

New Zealand settlement

The nucleus of Holy Trinity Church was built within a few years of the arrival of

the first European colonists to New Zealand, and as such dates from the earliest

period of the country’s colonial and ecclesiastical history.

(k) The extent to which the place forms part of a wider historical and cultural

complex or historical and cultural landscape

Holy Trinity Church is part of a quartet of sites in New Plymouth which were the

result of the collaboration between Bishop Selwyn and architect Frederick

Thatcher. Included in this historical landscape are St Mary’s Church, Te Henui

Vicarage and the former Colonial Hospital known as The Gables.

Summary of Significance or Values

This place was assessed against, and found to qualify under the following

criteria: a, b, c, e, i, and k.

Conclusion

It is considered that this place qualifies as a Category 1 historic place.

As the first purpose built church in the second New Zealand Company colony of

Taranaki, the Holy Trinity Church is one of New Zealand’s oldest remaining

churches, or remnants of churches, in New Zealand. The Holy Trinity Church is

of special historic significance for its direct association with the establishment of

the Church of England in New Zealand and for its direct links to figures of

national historical importance, such as Bishop Selwyn, Frederick Thatcher, and

Archdeacon Henry Govett. Holy Trinity Church was the first of a series of New

Plymouth buildings instigated by Bishop Selwyn and designed by Thatcher,


including Te Henui Vicarage and St Mary’s Church. The Holy Trinity’s 1840s

construction and its history of subsequent expansions in the 1870s and 1880s

makes it comparable to the few other remaining churches from this period.


4. OTHER INFORMATION

4.1. Associated NZHPT Registrations

Prior to an audit of the Register in 2004, the NZHPT understood that Holy

Trinity Church was registered by the NZHPT Board. The place was given

Register Number: 893.

The transitional provisions of section 114 of the Historic Places Act 1993

deemed that all buildings classified C or D under the 1980 Act become

Category 2 historic places. The place was therefore thought to be a Category 2

historic place. The audit of the Register indicated that there is no confirmation of

registration in the NZHPT Board Minutes for this registration. The registration is

therefore invalid.

4.2. Heritage Protection Measures

Local Authority Plan Listing

The Local Authority has listed this place in its District Plan. The reference is

New Plymouth District Plan Operative 15 August 2005, DP No 16 Map C26 in

Appendix 8 Category A Heritage Buildings and Items.

The Regional Council has not listed this area in its Regional Plan.

Reserve

This place is not part of a reserve.

Heritage Covenant

This place is not covered by a Heritage Covenant.

Other Heritage Listings

This place has been identified as being included in other heritage listings: New

Zealand Archaeological Association (NZAA) Site Recording Scheme, P19/394

NZHPT Heritage Incentive Fund

This place is not currently a suitable candidate for the NZHPT Incentive Fund


because it is not in private ownership.

NZHPT Recommendations

To ensure the long-term conservation of this place, the NZHPT recommends

that repairs and maintenance are regularly completed in accordance with

heritage best practice. The remedial and conservation measures are

recommended in Ian Bowman, ‘Conservation Plan: Holy Trinity Church, Fitzroy,

New Plymouth,’ December 2010.

Disclaimer

Please note that registration of this historic place by the NZHPT identifies only

the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as

advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety,

including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, insanitary

conditions etc.


5. APPENDICES

5.1. Appendix 1: Visual Identification Aids

Location Maps

New Plymouth


Map of Extent

Extent includes the land described as Pt Sec 91 Fitzroy District (CT TN123/84),

Taranaki Land District and the grounds and the building known as Holy Trinity

Church thereon, and its fittings and fixtures and its following chattels: the picture

of Reverend Govett, and the needlework image of The Last Supper, the font,

credence table, clergy stalls, lectern, and altar. The extent of registration

excludes the Parish Hall, and vicarage buildings north of the church but

includes the Norfolk pine to the north of the section, said to have been planted

by Bishop Selwyn.


Current Identifier


5.2. Appendix 2: Visual Aids to Historical Information

Historical Photographs

Figure 1: Holy Trinity Church, Te Henui, (1870s), Unknown photographer.

Collection of Puke Ariki, New Plymouth, A81.207. Image must not be

reproduced without prior permission from Puke Ariki.

Figure 2: Church buildings at Te Henui, New Plymouth, 193-. Alexander

Turnbull Library (ATL), ID: 1/2-017460-G. Permission of the Alexander Turnbull

Library, Wellington, New Zealand, must be obtained before any re-use of this

image. There are similar images of this place at Puke Ariki, New Plymouth

which date from 1911 (Negative number LN2779 and LN4639).


Figure 3: Holy Trinity Church, Fitzroy, interior, ca 1910. ATL, F-125808-1/2. This

image shows the painted tin panels of the reredos, found preserved beneath

subsequent timber panelling in 2012.

Figure 4: ‘Holy Trinity Church, Fitzroy,’ architectural plans, 1928. New Plymouth

District Council (NPDC), 428439 BC 87003


Figure 5: ‘Proposed addition to Holy Trinity Church,’ architectural plans, 1966.

NPDC, 428439 BC 87003


5.3. Appendix 3: Visual Aids to Physical Information

Current Plans

Figures 6-9: ‘Holy Trinity Church,’ architectural plans, 1978. NPDC, 428444 BC

87003


Current Photographs of Place

(all photographs by B. Wagstaff, NZHPT, July 2010)

Figure 10: Holy Trinity Church looking north along Henui Street

Figure 11: West side


Figure 12: East end of nave, transept and chancel. Note the altar, clergy stalls,

and eagle lectern (right), and the needlework image of The Last Supper behind

the altar. The painted tin reredos panels were found behind timber panelling

located behind the curtain visible in this image. The credence table supports the

altar cross.

Figure 13: Northwest lean-to of the church. Note the font to the centre left of the

image.


Figure 14: Image of Reverend Henry Govett, thought to be framed with timber

(Pukatea) from the original 1845 church building. A handwritten note by W.H.

Skinner on the back of the picture imparts this information.


Figures 15, 16 and 17: The rediscovered reredos panels; and insets showing

detail. (B.Wagstaff, NZHPT, 19 May 2012).


5.4. Appendix 4: Significance Assessment Information

Part II of the Historic Places Act 1993

Chattels or object or class of chattels or objects (section 22(5))

Under section 22(5) of the Historic Places Act 1993, an entry in the Register in respect of any historic place may include any chattel or object or class of chattels or objects –

(a) Situated in or on that place; and

(b) Considered by the Trust to contribute to the significance of that place; and

(c) Nominated by the Trust.

Significance or value (section 23(1))

Under section 23(1) of the Historic Places Act 1993, the Trust may enter any historic place or historic area in the Register if the place possesses aesthetic, archaeological, architectural, cultural,

historical, scientific, social, spiritual, technological, or traditional significance or value.

Category of historic place (section 23(2))

Under section 23(2) of the Historic Places Act 1993, the Trust may assign Category I status or

Category II status to any historic place, having regard to any of the following criteria:

(a) The extent to which the place reflects important or representative aspects of New Zealand history

(b) The association of the place with events, persons, or ideas of importance in New Zealand history

(c) The potential of the place to provide knowledge of New Zealand history

(d) The importance of the place to tangata whenua

(e) The community association with, or public esteem for, the place

(f) The potential of the place for public education

(g) The technical accomplishment or value, or design of the place

(h) The symbolic or commemorative value of the place

(i) The importance of the identifying historic places known to date from early periods of New Zealand settlement

(j) The importance of identifying rare types of historic places

(k) The extent to which the place forms part of a wider historical and cultural complex or historical and cultural landscape

(l) Such additional criteria for registration of wahi tapu, wahi tapu areas, historic places, and historic areas of Maori interest as may be prescribed in regulations made under this Act

(m) Such additional criteria not inconsistent with those in paragraphs (a) to (k) of this subsection for the purpose of assigning Category I or Category II status to any historic place, and for the purpose of registration of any historic area, as may be prescribed in regulations made under this Act

NOTE: Category I historic places are ‘places of special or outstanding historical or cultural heritage significance or value.’ Category II historic places are ‘places of historical or cultural heritage significance or value.’

Holy Trinity Church Historic Place Report - Kete New...

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