Country Churches of NZ 22. All Souls, Clevedon, Auckland

I wrote and illustrated Country Churches of New Zealand. It was published in 2002 by New Holland, Publishers and is still on sale in bookshops. The publishers have kindly agreed to me re-publishing some of the book’s images and descriptions in this blog.

The churches of South Auckland and the Waikato exhibit less of a pioneering earnestness than Northland’s. The rolling country with its rich, red soils and lazy rivers might have something to do with it, although colonial history was just as turbulent.

ALL SOULS, CLEVEDON

Exaggerated agapanthus plants hide wrecked tombstones and my distress at the petty vandalism that despoiled the churchyard. But the church itself maintains a quiet dignity.

All Souls, Clevedon, one of the famous sixteen Selwyn churches, dates to 1861 when it was dedicated on 29 December by Bishop Selwyn himself.

It was at first known as the Wairoa Episcopalian Church. It looked much different from my illustration and has been modified a number of times. In 1888 the nave was extended; a vestry was added in 1910, and the shingled spire was built in 1961 to celebrate its centenary. Despite all the changes, the church's elements are remarkably harmonious, except for the clumsy porch roof and the steeple being a little too slender for its base.

© DON DONOVAN

donovan@ihug.co.nz
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