Old St Paul's Church

Old St Paul's Church

Designed by William Mason (1810 - 1897), first Superintendent of Works for New Zealand, St Paul's was a very impressive church for a young colony. Situated at the top of what is today Emily Place, fronting the lower end of Princes Street, it was built in Gothic style of brick plastered to look like stone. he foundation stone was laid by the Governor of New Zealand Captain William Hobson on 28th July 1841, and the church cost £2,856 ($5,712) to build - a considerable sum for the time.

St Paul's had seating for 560, sufficient to serve the nearby Albert Barracks, and was also known as the "Garrison Church". In 1885 the church was demolished to enable demolition of Point Britomart for use in the reclamation of the harbour and creation of port facilities. The present St Paul's Church in Symonds St was built as its replacement.

The Revd John Frederick Churton LL.B (1797 - 1853) became the first minister in 1842. Appointed Colonial Chaplain, he had emigrated from England, where he had been Vicar of Threapwood, Wrexham. With his wife Mary (née Falwasser), their seven children and a retinue of servants, they had arrived at Port Nicholson (Wellington) on the "Bolton" on 21st April 1841. He spent a short time at Russell before moving to Auckland.

Mr Churton was also recognised for his interest in natural history, supplying many specimens of lepidoptera to the scientific cataloguers of his day. His daughter Katie (Catherine) married Charles Heaphy.

The Revd John Churton died on 26th January 1853, and is commemorated with a 6 metre obelisk in Emily Place Park.

St Paul's Church was the first seat of the Bishop of New Zealand George Augustus Selwyn. The communion plate used there was personally gifted by Queen Victoria.

Bishop Patteson, first Bishop of Melanesia, was consecrated in St Paul's by Bishop Selwyn on 24th February 1861.